Conditioning 101: Getting Back to Activity
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Jumpstarting Your Fitness Routine with Conditioning
After a long period of downtime, it can be hard to get back into an active lifestyle. Whether you're getting ready for a particular sport or looking to become more physically active, these tips can help you to jumpstart your workout routine!
Take Time for Each Component of Fitness
When it comes to building a fitness routine, many of us are guilty of only focusing on what directly impacts our performance in our sport or activity of choice. However, there are three major components that should be accounted for in your fitness routine:
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Flexibility
- Muscle strength
By taking time to focus on these individual areas of your physical fitness, you can not only improve your overall fitness and athletic performance but effectively reduce the risk of injury as well.
Remember to Build Gradually
While you may be excited to get back to physical activity, it’s important not to do too much too soon. Although you may know how much you can handle at the height of your athletic season, it takes time to get there. When you overload your body, it leaves you more prone to injuries.
Remember to take it slow in the beginning, starting off with shorter workouts at a lower level of intensity. Once your body is more used to regular activity, you can focus on improving your performance.
Incorporate Rest Days
Although you may feel motivated to get back in shape at the beginning of the season, remember that it’s important to incorporate rest days into your routine. Taking at least one day off during the week can help to prevent the risk of injury.
During your rest days, you can help your body to rest and recover before returning to activity by doing the following:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Take a hot shower or bath.
- Use a foam roller on sore muscles.
