The holiday season often means a break from our regular routines, including exercise.
Strategies for a Safe Return to Exercise After a Break
As the holiday period ends and we start to get back into the swing of things, its important to remember that returning to exercise after a break can be tricky. To ensure safe and enjoyable return to exercise consider these tips.
Start Slow
When returning to exercise, it is important not to jump straight into intense workouts or long-distance runs. Your body needs time to adjust, so start off with shorter and less intense workouts or long-distance runs. This will help you avoid injury ad burnout caused by overdoing it too soon.
Listen to your body
Listen to your body and don’t push too hard! If you feel any pain or discomfort during exercise, take a break – it’s important for your health.
Warm up and cool down
Get the full benefit of your workout routine by taking a few minutes to warm up and cool down before and after. This will help you get pumped for exercise, recover afterwards, stay safe from injury – plus it gives you time to think about what exercises work best for achieving your goals!
Focus on proper form
Exercise with confidence and knowledge! By taking the time to ensure you’re adhering to proper form, not only can you get better results faster, but more importantly – prevent yourself from any injury.
Get clearance from your doctor
If you have any underlying health conditions or have been away from exercise for an extended period, it’s a good idea to get clearance from a doctor before starting a new workout routine.
Make a plan
Take the time to craft an exercise plan! It can have a huge impact on your energy and enthusiasm, helping you get into —and stay in— an enjoyable routine.
Don’t compare yourself to the past
It is easy to compare our current performance with what we were able to do before a break, but this can lead to disappointment and frustration. Instead, focus on yourself and progress at your own pace. Celebrate small wins such as being able to run and extra kilometer or being able to lift heavier weights that you could previously.
Is you are unsure, seek professional advice
If you are unsure of how best to return safely after a break from exercise or need help with training structure, make an appointment with one of our Physiotherapists. Symmetry Physiotherapists are trained professionals who can help create individualized programs tailored specifically for you!
Returning from a break does not have to be daunting if done correctly and safely. Start slow, listen to your body, warm up and cool down, take rest days between training sessions and seek professional advise if necessary. With these tips in mind, hopefully everyone will have an enjoyable return back into their everyday routine.