Movement for Life

by Lauren Walker

Summer has come and gone! As usual it slips by in the blink of an eye. If you’re like me, summer can throw a wrench in to your usual gym routine. How do you get back in to the swing of things after summer?

Strength Training

You only lose muscle mass with excessive amounts of inactivity. The good news is if you haven’t made strength training a part of your summer routine, all is not lost.

Let’s be realistic, when you’re out of routine, you’re not going to be where you were before summer. I always say, “the first day back is usually the worst.” If you’re getting back in to weight training, try not to over do it on the first day. You can definitely expect some sore muscles! Whatever you used before the summer, cut your weights in half when easing back after the summer. This will help minimize excessive muscle soreness.

What’s best?

This really all depends on what your fitness level was like to begin with. A beginner should always exert caution. Aim for 20 minutes of strength training, three days a week to ease your way back in to a routine. More experienced exercisers have a better sense of what they should or shouldn’t lift.

Cardiovascular Exercise

You’re more inclined to lose your cardiovascular strength with excessive inactivity. How do you get it back? I don’t suggest running a mile if you haven’t done so in two months. Small doses are key here!

What’s best?

Depending on your fitness level, I always recommend common sense. 15-20 minutes, three times a week is reasonable for a beginner. This can be used in combination with strength training, as mentioned above. More expert exercisers can use their judgment.

For more information on our personal training services call 289-356-2140.