Top Tips For Stepping Back Into Fitness After An Injury & Preventing Repeats

Injuries are a reality that most active people have to deal with at some stage. After completing the frustrating recovery and rehabilitation, you would be excused for thinking you’re OK. Sadly, if you fail to approach the next phase in the right way, recurring injuries may occur.
While you may be tempted to throw yourself back into exercise at 100mph, you must resist. Instead, you must focus on the five simple steps below to stay on the road to long-term success.
1- Get enough rest
The importance of rest does not end when the recovery phase concludes. A return to significant physical activity will take a toll on the body, and you must learn to adapt. Enjoying the required amount of rest during those early weeks will be vital. Crucially, you must stay vigilant to the signs that you’re not relaxing enough and make the right updates. As your body acclimatises to the increased physical workloads, the demand for rest should fall.
If you don’t get enough, though, you’ll suffer in and out of workouts.
2- Stay on top of early symptoms
It’s a harsh reality, but the chances of repeating a past injury are often far higher than encountering a new one. You cannot afford to ignore this. If you are recovering from an ankle injury, for example, calling a foot doctor as soon as pain returns is vital. Stopping it from progressing into anything worse means you will hopefully avoid another long road to recovery. Crucially, you can get the pain relief and restore mobility with confidence.
Muscle aches can be expected. But fighting through issues like tendon pain is not an answer.
3- Enjoy low intensity workouts
After missing out on an activity you love for so long, you’ll want to make up for lost time. In truth, though, you must learn to balance sports or high intensity workouts with more relaxed solutions. Swimming and cycling are great examples as they will not put pressure on your bones or joints. Working different muscle groups during different workouts is vital too. It can remove the risk of overworking a specific muscle.
Some higher intensity workouts are still needed. Just avoid doing too much, too soon.
4- Wear the right clothes
Once you have endured an injury, the need to support it with the right attire is greater than ever. If you had a foot injury as a runner, it’s worth speaking to a running shoe specialist. They can monitor your gait to check that you select the most comfortable and supportive shoe for your needs. It may also be necessary to wear a support on an ankle, knee, or elbow for several months. If it prevents a repeat injury, it’ll be worth it.
Looking the part makes you feel the part too. This is great for your mental health at this time.
5- Stick with it
Finally, there will be times when you feel like breaking the new routines. Don’t. Consistency is king as you look to stay on track with your recovery and get back to your best. You’ve got this.