A Guide to Post-Lockdown Fitness

Whether you were in lockdown for a few weeks or you’ve been stuck indoors for several months, sticking to a fitness regime can be challenging after a long break and major disruptions to your routine.

Not everyone enjoys home workouts, and watching Netflix all day is tempting when there’s not much else to do.

If the pandemic has derailed your fitness journey, we can offer tips and tricks on how to get back in shape. 

Take it Slow and Steady

Getting back in shape after a long break should be a gradual process. No matter how badly you want to regain your pre-lockdown fitness levels, your body will need time to adjust. Starting slowly can help you build momentum at a more sustainable pace, so you don’t burn yourself out.

Going too hard or too fast can lead to injuries and mental exhaustion. To avoid overdoing it, opt for easy workouts like walking or yoga. If you lift weights, start with a lighter load to ensure you’re using the correct technique.

Once you’re feeling confident with your fitness, slowly start making your workouts more instance.

Schedule Your Workouts

As life slowly returns to normal (or “COVID normal” at least) try and re-establish a workout routine. Whether you want to dedicate just a few hours a week to your fitness, or you’re eager to squeeze in as many workouts as possible, knowing what you’re doing each day will help you stay on track when it comes to getting back into the gym.

Schedules help keep you accountable, making it easier to build consistency with your exercise regime. For example, if you block out an hour on Wednesday evenings for a run, you’ll be mentally prepared for that workout and, therefore, less likely to skip it.

After a while, your workout schedule will feel more like a habit and less like something you must force yourself to do.

Track Your Progress

Seeing how far you’ve come will encourage you to keep going. From a couple of lost kilos to an extra kilo on your deadlift, even a small amount of progress can be a great source of motivation when getting back in shape.

There are plenty of ways to track your progress, including fitness tracking apps and Fitbits. Even something as simple as writing everything down in a diary can help. No matter how you decide to track your performance, make sure you use that system consistently to avoid missing any milestones.

Patience is key to regaining your fitness, so try not to rush the process. With time and perseverance, you’ll gradually get fit and strong again.

Still stuck in lockdown? Check out our Complete Guide to Home Workouts.