Wanna get back to the gym? For many this would probably be much harder than Bangladesh beating Australia in cricket. It has been evident that at some point of time all of us take up gym with a lot of enthusiasm and zest, but over a period of time we lose interest for numerous reasons including- work overtime, vacations, family problems, injuries, so on. In order to get back to the gym, look at yourself in the mirror and compare how you were while in the gym. If that’s not enough, just try and run for 10 minutes! It will show you the true picture, which you have been trying to avoid for a while. Once you have decided to hit the gym with vengeance once again, here are few things you should keep in mind!

Remember you are not the same as you left the gym.

You are probably not as strong as you knew you were.

Your stamina has also been on a vacation ever since you left the gym.

Excepting a few exercises, you are as good as a fresher.

With these things in mind, let’s start a fitness regime.

Warming up

As you have been away from the gym for sometime, chances are that you won’t be as flexible as you were, and even your stamina would not be the same as it uses to be. Therefore, do the following to warm up for the tougher task ahead:

Start with a walk on the treadmill for about 15-20 minutes, gradually increasing the speed.

Stretch all major parts of the body including; hamstrings, glutes, shoulders, back, quads calves, and more.

Start off with the lighter weights so that you body can prepare itself for much heavier weights.

Take it easy
Relax! Don’t get tempted by people around you who may be lifting heavier weights compared to you. Remember you are not the same! So, its better that you start with lighter exercises including crunches, dumble flies, side flies, and more. Once you have somewhat loosened up, try other comparatively tougher exercises such as chest press, dumble press, leg press. What this will do is that it will prepare your muscles, tendons and ligaments for heavier lifting, and secondly will reduce the risk of any injury.

Intense workout
This is the stage where you need to put in all your energy, to ensure that you reach the same level of fitness as you once had. To achieve it, make sure of keeping the notes of the number of sets and repetition you could do on the first day of your comeback. Try beating those numbers the next day, along with increasing the weight that you are lifting. This practice will challenge and put you on the right track of achieving the intended fitness level.

Calm down
This is another important aspect. Most of the people put in all their energy in lifting weights and performing various exercises, and by the time they are done with it, they feel exhausted. That means they won’t have energy to cool themselves down with a 10 minutes slow paced walk on the treadmill, which is essential. So, if you are out there to get a toned and muscular body, do calm down yourself after the rigorous exercises.

What are you waiting for
Well now that you know what to do and what not to, isn’t it time to hit the gym with some passion and intensity? Remember all your idols, who gave you the idea of a gym for the first time, go back - TRY- and be like them!