With the gradual easing of state government restrictions across the country, we’re so excited to have been able to finally start welcoming our members back to Goodlife. We’ve really missed you! Just remember that now is more important than ever to be kind to yourself and your body as you return to higher impact gym activity in an effort to avoid injury! Here are some tips to help you get back to the gym!
- Take it easy Don’t try and pick up where you left off. Ease your way back in with shorter cardio sessions and lighter weights. During this period, you may have found that you’ve lost some muscle mass or cardio fitness, but be patient and trust in your muscle memory, because it will return faster than it initially took for you to reach as long as you gradually build it back up. If you go too hard too fast you will risk injury, which would in turn require even more time off.
- Don’t forget to stretch You’ll likely experience soreness after your first few sessions, so remember to stretch before and after every workout as it helps reduce the shortening and tightening effect of muscles, which can lead to post workout aches and pains. Stretching also helps to improve posture, regulates blood flow and oxygen to the muscles and helps prevent injury.
- Fuel your body properly When we think about training and nutrition, often we focus only on our pre and post workout meals, and tend to neglect the rest of the day. Making sure you’re fueling your body with the right mix of carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats during every meal will help ensure your body is receiving the correct micro and macro nutrients to help you both get the most out of your workouts as well as recover from them properly.
- Stay hydrated There’s no blanket rule for how much water we are supposed to drink in a day, but as a general rule of thumb, it’s between 1.5-2 litres a day. Correct hydration helps our body transport nutrients around the body, keeps our joints lubricated and can help prevent muscle cramps. Make sure you’re staying on top of your water intake, and adding an extra litre for every half hour of exercise you do.
- Maintain hygiene and safety In addition to social distancing and hygiene policies, we’ve also put additional measures in place to help ensure we can protect your health and safety as we welcome you back to the gym. These measures include, our strict no towel no train policy, the installation of hygiene stations including hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes, self check-in services, cashless retail transactions and increased educational signage across all clubs!
This article was originally published by Good Life at Home.