Seven tips for your New Year’s fitness routine

It’s finally time to get your fitness routine back on track, but, before you go running to the dumbbell rack, let’s take a look at seven top tips, for a sensible approach to take when returning to training.

Restarting your fitness routine may be a little challenging, but, if you are consistent, sensible, and patient, you will be back to those PBs and beyond in no time.

1. GREATEXPECTATIONS

Unless you are Wonder Woman or Superman, you may not be able to perform some exercises as well as you did previously. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself when first starting back, just enjoy being back!

2. WARMUPFIRST

It may be tempting to go straight into it, but make sure you spend around ten minutes warming up before a workout and perform a cooldown afterwards.

3. STARTSLOWLY

You will need to take your time to build your strength back up gradually, as your body gets used to being back in training. Start at 50 per cent of what you could lift previously, for the first week or two. Increase this to 75 per cent in weeks 2-3, then, when your body is ready, push back to where you were before, after at least a month back in training. Did you know, resistance training increases the number of nuclei in muscle cells.

4. GOODTIMES

Going back to fitness should be fun and exciting for you. Why not start with the exercises you have missed most? That way you will have something to really look forward to when you hit the floor. You can also use your workout time to properly listen to your favourite new album or podcast. What matters most is how good your workouts make you feel.

5. REFRAMEYOURGOALS

Starting anew is also a great opportunity to reassess your fitness goals. Lost strength on your squats? Set a goal of reaching Xweight by Y time. Make sure this is an achievable goal, that gives you a nice time frame to build towards.

6. FOODGLORIOUSFOOD

Be sure to think about your nutrition before, and after your workouts. It is essential to fuel your body with the right food, to aid performance, recovery, and to help minimise soreness. Be sure youare drinking enough.

7. STAYSAFE

Respect social distancing if working out outside.