Returning to the Gym: Everything You Need to Know
Exercise is beneficial for our body and our health. Regular exercise at the appropriate intensity helps maintain a healthy and resilient body. If, for any reason, exercise is stopped for a long period of time (more than 2 months), physical strength and endurance decrease. When we return to daily exercise, we need to be careful in order to protect our body.
Under no circumstances should we overestimate our abilities. Our muscles are not as strong or resilient as before. Our endurance is not the same, and our body is not as flexible. Obviously, if we have remained active during the period of inactivity, our physical condition will be better. So, how can we protect ourselves, return safely to exercise and continue to improve?
- What should you pay attention to?
The positive thing is that we are not starting from scratch. This means that no matter how long we have stayed away from exercise, our muscles are still there. However, our body is by no means in the same condition as before and, over time, it deteriorates. This automatically makes us more prone to potential injuries. These injuries will only harm us and keep us away from the gym for even longer. For this reason, we need to pay attention to how we design our exercise programme, as well as to the amount of weight or resistance we use.
Another way to help our body return to its previous condition is through stretching. Stretching benefits the entire body. Blood flow and the cardiovascular system in general improve. Flexibility also improves; without it, our muscles become excessively tight, making us much more vulnerable to injury. The joints relax and become more flexible. Their stability also increases, which helps prevent microtears and injuries. The correct way is to perform stretches in a controlled and slow manner. Their purpose is to “open up” the muscles so that they can perform as effectively as possible.
Another form of preparation is warming up. Often, and especially if we are in a cold environment, warming up should come before stretching. It lasts only a few minutes and essentially serves as a signal to the body that it is about to exercise at a higher intensity.
We are all excited when we start going to the gym again. However, we should not allow our enthusiasm to take over. For the sake of our physical health, we need to adjust our programme to suit our individual needs and, with patience and persistence, we will be able to achieve the desired results.
If you have any concerns or experience pain during exercise, contact the specialist orthopaedic surgeon in sports injuries Mr. Andreas Leonidou, for a personalised diagnosis and treatment.
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