It wasn’t just toilet paper and hand sanitizer that was sold out during quarantine. Any kind of at-home workout gear and equipment was almost impossible to come by. We invested in our home gym or workout spaces. to make the best of being stuck at home. So when gyms started opening again, it was a slow trickle back for members. Getting back to the gym after quarantine can feel a little unnerving. There are all kinds of new rules and procedures in place to keep you safe, and it can feel weird to be working out with other people around again. Read on for some tips to get the most out of your workout, and staying safe when you’re getting back to the gym.
KNOW THE GYM RULES
The pandemic affected areas totally differently. Maybe your gym has been open for months, or maybe it’s just about to open. Either way, there will be rules and restrictions in place to keep gym staff and members safe and healthy. Before you turn up to lift heavy things, find out exactly what those protocols are. That way, you won’t be surprised when you arrive, and you’ll have everything you need.
There are many procedures that may be in place, depending on the level of risk in your area. These include having to pre-register for equipment or space, getting your temperature checked when you arrive, social distancing, sanitizing, and masks. You may be required to wear the mask during every activity, or possibly just when moving to and from workout areas. This rule will depend on the mask mandates in your area, and in your particular club, .
Knowing the rules before you arrive is important to get your workout done without wondering if you’re doing the right thing or wrong thing. It’s also important for your fellow gym goers, and for the staff at the gym. No one wants to be the mask police, and everyone wants to feel safe.
HAVE A WORKOUT PLAN
Having a plan for your workout before you get to the gym saves you time, energy, and helps you achieve your goals sooner. When we’re in a pandemic, it’s even more important. You want to streamline your time, and get the most done in the shortest period of time. No matter how cautious your gym is being with their Covid protocols, you are still in an indoor space.
There are several ways you can save time in your workout, other than having a plan in place. Using the same equipment for several exercises means you’re not moving around from station to station. Consider doing your cardio outside, or walking or running to the gym as your warm up. Likewise, you could save your stretching for when you get home. You could even stretch out by your car if you drive to your gym.
And feel free to download and print my free strength training printables here. These help you pre-plan your workout and take it along with you!
REFOCUS ON YOUR GOALS
Getting back to the gym after quarantine is the perfect opportunity to refocus on your goals. Maybe you gained the Covid 19lbs. Or maybe you found a new kind of workout you love, and want to continue. Sit down and write down your fitness and workout goals. Your goals could be building strength, improving balance, weight loss, or flexibility. Then think about what kinds of exercises and workout routine will help you most to achieve those goals. Plan your gym workouts based on your own focused goals.
Consider it a reset moment. Right now gyms are less focused on the social and community aspect they used to offer. The focus now is giving people a fitness outlet. Having that outlet is appreciated when we’ve all been scrabbling to find ways to stay active without the gym!
WHAT DOES THE GYM OFFER THAT HOME DOESN’T?
When you’re planning your workout, consider what your gym offers that you don’t have at home. Maybe you have dumbbells and a weight bench, but you used to love the squat rack. Whether it’s the cables or the leg press that you’ve been thinking of all misty-eyed, include what you’ve missed at home in your workouts. Remember you can get your cardio done just about anywhere. However, if you used to do spin classes all the time and don’t have your own bike, that may be something you want to beeline for during your gym time.
Focusing on what you can’t use at home means that you can continue your at-home workouts, getting the best of both worlds.
I hope you’re all staying safe, and healthy, and strong! Getting back to the gym can be scary at this time. From personal experience of reopening a gym during Covid, with the right precautions you will stay safe, and get back to your favorite gym workouts. Teaching in person again has been the best gift of getting back to the gym for me. Many of our members have shared with me what they missed the most – the pool, heavy weights, the treadmill. Enjoy this return to a pre-pandemic version of normal life!
