by Nadia Sinclair

As the world is slowly returning to normalcy, so too are our fitness regimens. However, after months of solitude, rightly so, you may be jittery about returning to your local gym. Fear not, dear reader. We are here today to give you practical advice on staying safe, both in terms of preventing infections and avoiding injuries as you reclaim your fitness journey.

Stay Clean Before and After Gym Visits

Minimizing your time spent both outside and inside the gym can remarkably reduce the chance of coming into contact with germs. To achieve this, consider changing into your workout gear and showering at home before and after your gym sessions, disposing your used attires straight into the laundry.

Navigate the Redesigned Gym Layouts

The gym environment you once knew might be different now. Gym layouts may have been altered in adherence to social distancing guidelines. Equipment may be distributed sparsely to avoid crowding. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with these changes upon your first visit back to prevent aimless wandering. Furthermore, remember to locate cleaning products readily provided by your gym.

Personal Hygiene in the Gym

Your gym towel might have multi-purposes before, but now it’s important that you allocate one towel solely for personal use. Don’t allow it to touch anything else, especially shared gym equipment. Instead, rely on disinfectant wipes or towels to clean machinery after usage and dispose of them immediately after each use.

Consider Group Fitness Classes

Group classes are excellent for maintaining safety standards. By reducing class sizes, and supplying individual equipment, group classes can ensure adequate workout space and less contact with shared gear. So, this might be a compelling period to try something new, if you’re typically a lone wolf.

Master the Art of Breathing

While everyone sweats during a workout, proper breathing is crucial now more than ever. Try focusing on controlled breaths – in through your nose and out through your mouth, keeping your face aimed downwards wherever feasible. Safe breathing exercise can help to minimize the spread of airborne particles.

Maintain Safe Distances

Forget the days of standing around waiting your turn for that popular treadmill. With social distancing guidelines in place, instead, explore available equipment while you wait your turn. Avoid the familiar instinct of lingering near occupied machines or equipment.

Stretch and Preserve

Stretching is essential – it may seem time-consuming, but it guarantees a safe workout and minimizes post-exercise aches. Consider stretching at home if you’re unsure of doing so at the gym. Setting reminders to do so can also be quite helpful.

Patience is Key

Realize that your fitness level might have taken a slight dip during the lockdown, and gradually working your way up is perfectly acceptable. Trying to immediately recapture past records can even be counterproductive, leading to potential injuries.

Listen to Your Body

Your body is capable of communicating its needs through its reactions to physical stress. Listen keenly to avoid the risk of injuries as you slowly advance through the journey of recovery of your old fitness levels.

Post-lockdown workouts might be a little different, but with these tips, you can navigate through these changes smoothly, ensuring a safe and rewarding return to the gym. Your road to wellness has just reopened, and with caution and commitment, there’s no stopping you.

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