Getting back into a workout routine? If you haven’t been to the gym in a while or took a break from working out for any reason, getting back into the swing of things can take careful planning.
Even if you used to hit the gym regularly, when you step away from consistent workouts for several weeks, months, or longer, you might not have the same level of strength—or muscle memory—to jump back in where you left off.
Here’s the good news: Yes, you can jump back into your old workout routine (or start a routine for the first time) at your favorite Tracy gym or gym nearest you. However, there are steps you want to take to get your strength back up to help minimize injury risk and give yourself the greatest advantage going forward.
Start Small and Work Your Way Back Up
If you’ve been out of the workout game for weeks, months, or longer, your strength might not be what it once was. Jumping back into your exact routine and trying to lift the same weight can put dangerous strain on your body and may lead to injury.
As exciting as it can be to get back into your routine, start small. Focus on certain areas of your workout and dial things back. For example, if you were lifting at a specific weight six months ago, start by lifting 60 to 70% of that amount and see how it feels.
From there, gradually add weight over the next few weeks. Give your body a chance to reacclimate to lifting so you can feel out what your current limits are. You’ll get back to where you want to be soon enough!
Aim for Consistency in All Things
Restarting your workout routine and building up your strength can take time. It may take a matter of weeks or months (everyone is different!). Patience is key—as is consistency. If you want to get back into the swing of things and back to your previous routine, stick to your new routine.
The new routine can be starting small and hitting your go-to gyms in Napa, Tracy, or elsewhere consistently. Set aside time specifically for restarting your workout routine. Slipping on consistency can make it harder to get back into the swing of things—and it may take a lot longer to rebuild your strength.
Focus on Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs
A huge part of building strength is focusing on warm-ups and cool-downs. When you jump into a hard workout without a warm-up, it can put serious strain on your body. It may result in aches, pains, or injury—and if these happen, you may be less likely to stay consistent in getting back to your old workout routine.
Warm-ups get your muscles ready for activity, and cool-downs can serve as a big part of the recovery process. Both can consist of key exercises and stretches, like jumping jacks, lunges, squats, torso rotations, and shoulder rotations.
Know When It’s Time for a Bigger Challenge
While it’s important to start small in returning to your workout routine and building strength, you also don’t want to plateau. You may hit a point where your routine lacks challenge. When that happens, it can be harder to hit your strength goals.
It’s also important to mix things up and pursue bigger challenges, too. It can include adding more weight to your lifting routine, but it can also include using different lifting strategies or machines. The key is to identify when it’s the right time to push forward and make changes. Mix things up as you work toward your old routine.
About In-Shape Family Fitness
You can find the motivation and amenities you need to prioritize exercise and lead a healthier lifestyle at In-Shape Family Fitness. Their premium gyms throughout California can help you find your fitness groove with studio fitness classes and state-of-the-art equipment that will get you in the mood to break a sweat. With encouraging and knowledgeable class instructors, friendly team members, and a great community, In-Shape Family Fitness makes their Elk Grove gyms, Bakersfield gyms, and gyms in other cities the best choice for you and your family. With options for all interests and every fitness level, plus a Kid Zone, In-Shape Family Fitness ensures you have everything you need for a fulfilling fitness routine.
Get back into your workout routine at https://www.inshape.com/
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