What do you need to get back into working out?
If it’s been a while since you worked out, you might be wondering how to get back in the swing of things. A good place to begin is conducting a personal inventory to determine your motivations, goals and current fitness level.
You’ll probably also need to make a few investments in anticipation of your return to the gym, studio or trail. Besides workout clothes and athletic shoes, you may need new headphones, water bottles or home exercise equipment.
What to know before you begin working out again
Assess your fitness level
Before diving into intense workouts, it’s essential to assess your current fitness level. It’s important to be aware of your health status, including whether you have conditions or injuries that may impact — or inhibit — your activity level.
Additionally, many people obtain physical exams from their primary care physician prior to embarking on new exercise regimens. This may include blood work, urine tests and an electrocardiogram.
Warming up is important
Whether you’re taking a yoga class or running a mile, warming up is non-negotiable. It increases flexibility, boosts circulation, minimizes muscle tension and lowers the risk of injury.
Warming up takes on a variety of forms, most notably with stretching, squats, planks or a slow-paced walk. Some of these exercises can be done with the help of yoga blocks, exercise balls or weight benches.
Nutrition matters
You’ll also require more energy to get through tough workouts. A balanced diet is an effective way to support your fitness program. And it’s helpful to understand exactly what you’re eating, as well as how it affects your body.
Begin by taking a look at macronutrients, which include carbohydrates, protein and fat:
- Carbohydrates, including rice, potatoes and oatmeal, function as a source of energy.
- Protein, such as meat, fish and legumes, helps maintain and build muscle mass.
- Fats, such as olive oil, seeds and avocados, support cell growth and contribute to vitamin absorption.
Depending on the intensity of your workouts, you may need to adjust your macronutrient levels. The easiest way to do this is by logging meals in a food journal or food tracking app.
How to get back into working out: A step-by-step guide
Find activities that suit you
It’s one thing to start working out, but sticking with it is a totally different challenge. To stay committed, it’s a good idea to find physical activities that engage you.
- Group fitness classes: For some people, these are the way to go. They appreciate the encouragement from instructors, plus they feed off the energy of other people in the class. Many group fitness classes, such as spin and Zumba, use music to keep everyone amped up during exercises.
- Weight training: Other people get into weight training and use a variety of exercise machines, free weights and kettlebells. However, they don’t limit themselves to lifting. Rather, they incorporate cardio workouts to balance out their exercise regimen.
- Virtual workouts: Some people embrace virtual workouts, in which they work out to fitness classes on demand or participate in live classes. It’s a popular option for those seeking alternatives to gyms and outdoor exercise. Some smart workout machines also fall into this category, including the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike.
- Outdoor exercise: From hiking to kayaking, the great outdoors has plenty to offer individuals who want to stay active. Some people join outdoor exercise groups, while others enjoy solo activities such as walks or bike rides.
Design a home exercise routine
It’s easy for your fitness program to come to a screeching halt if you can’t get to the gym, studio or park. To make sure you stay on track with fitness goals, design a home exercise routine as a viable alternative.
This may include investing in home gym equipment, such as a treadmill or rowing machine. While these machines are expensive and have large footprints, many of them offer gym-quality workouts.
Another option is to buy space-savvy alternatives to larger pieces of gym equipment. If you miss the Pilates reformer at the studio, for example, invest in a Pilates ring and mat to do floor-based exercises.
How to compare gym memberships
If you’re thinking of joining a gym, compare membership perks and prices among different facilities. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Read gym contracts thoroughly to see what you’re signing up for. Be aware of all the fees involved, including sign-up and cancellation fees, as well as the cost to freeze memberships.
- Some chain gyms offer two types of memberships. Single-location memberships are less expensive, while multi-gym memberships are often pricier. However, it’s worth considering them if you travel often or live near several locations.
- Some gyms include fitness classes as part of their membership perks; others charge separate “drop-in” fees for each class you take.
If you’re over 65, you may be eligible for a SilverSneakers membership through some Medicare Advantage plans. SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program that lets you join participating gyms for free and use most, if not all, of their amenities. Thousands of gyms nationwide participate in SilverSneakers. To find a SilverSneakers location near you, visit the website.
What you need to buy to get back into working out
Workout clothes
A customer favorite for its lightweight, comfortable fit, this shirt is made with wick-away material that sweeps sweat from the body.
Sold by Amazon
Champion Closed Bottom Lightweight Jersey Jogger
This classic jogger is made with soft jersey material and features a flexible, athletic cut.
Sold by Amazon
Ideology Heathered Keyhole-Back Tank Top
Wearers appreciate the soft design of this workout tank, which has flatlock seams and comes in a variety of heathered colors.
Sold by Amazon
Calia by Carrie Underwood Energize 7/8 Legging
The side pockets on these premium leggings are spacious enough to hold devices, keys or small wallets. The legging offers a flattering second-skin fit.
Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Athletic footwear
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 1080 V11 Running Shoe
Designed for performance, these premium New Balance running shoes feature a supportive heel cup and Ortholite cushioning.
Sold by Amazon
Asics Gel-Contend 7 Women’s Running Shoes
Thanks to the mesh and gel construction of this versatile running shoe, feet stay cool and dry. The style has a foam-padded footbed for shock absorption.
Sold by Kohl’s
Electronics
Apple AirPods Pro are considered ideal for high-impact workouts given their sweat-resistant design and custom-fit ear tips. They’re praised for their rich sound quality and long battery life.
Sold by Amazon
Those with Spotify Premium or Amazon Music subscriptions can use the Mighty Vibe, a Bluetooth wireless music player, to enjoy podcasts and playlists without lugging around their phones.
Sold by Amazon
Fitbit Versa 3 Health and Fitness Smartwatch
Stay on top of fitness goals with this smartwatch, which also provides real-time readings of heart rate, steps and active minutes. It has built-in Alexa and can control Spotify and Pandora playlists.
Sold by Amazon
Home exercise equipment
This affordable exercise ball is available in five sizes. It supports up to 2,000 pounds and is considered ideal for core workouts.
Sold by Amazon
This all-in-one 14-piece training set comes with ab roller, bands, pushup stand and more. They fold fit into a large-capacity storage bag for easy portability.
Sold by Amazon
Bowflex SelectTech 553 Dumbbells
If you’re short on space but love to lift, this adjustable dumbbell set is a smart buy. It adjusts between 5 and 52.5 pounds in 2.5-inch increments.
Sold by Amazon
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