Tips to Keep in Mind to Return to the Gym

If you want to return to the gym after your vacation, keep these tips in mind so it's easier to stay motivated. Keep on reading to discover the most effective tricks.
Tips to Keep in Mind to Return to the Gym

Last update: 19 March, 2019

After a vacation, it’s not always easy to start your workout routine again. In fact, after the Christmas holiday break, the risk of injuries increases and recovering muscle tone isn’t easy. However, in the next article, we’ll explain some of the tips you’ll need to return to the gym and enjoy your maximum performance.

Once you have an exercise habit it becomes automatic. Simply you go to the gym, no obligation involved and attendance just happens automatically. Nevertheless, after taking a break, a month, two months, or possibly a year, it can be very difficult to find the motivation to start again.

So then, the question is: how is it possible to get back to your routine? If you have asked yourself this question many times, you may need a dose of motivation to get back to physical activity.

In this sense, we recommend that you take a look at our list of tips to leave inactivity aside and return to the gym. Next, we’ll give you the most important tips.

Tips for returning to the gym

1. Start with a light workout

The first of our tips for returning to the gym and to take into consideration is to start with a light workout. If you are struggling to return to your routine and you feel overwhelmed, it may help to begin with simple exercises.

women walking in summer

If after a weight lifting session at the gym you feel it’s too much, then it’s best to go out for a walk, with the objective of moving and warming up those muscles. As soon as you feel comfortable with this, you may have reached the moment to return to your healthy habits.

2. Remember how good it made you feel

Sometimes we focus too much on the effort instead of the outcome. A workout can be difficult during the moment, nevertheless, it will always make you feel good at the end.

Therefore, if you need motivation, simply remember that the best comes at the end of the session. Besides some aching muscles, you will never regret working out, since the feeling of pleasure once you finish is unbeatable.

3. Build a routine

In third place, we recommend creating a habit out of your routine so it becomes a sort of a ritual. If your training hours are totally random, it will be harder to benefit from the push a routine can give.

This is why it’s preferable to create a routine and workout at the same time always. This will convert it into something automatic.

4. Do exercises you enjoy

Many people make the mistake of going to the gym and doing the exercise they really hate. Then they wonder why it’s hard to stick to their routine. If you really dislike running on the treadmill, for example, you may want to consider another cardio exercise such as riding a bike or swimming.

Only doing the exercises you really enjoy will make you want to go to the gym and train regularly. Besides, you should try to change your activities and exercises to keep you interested all the time.

Remember it’s quality and not quantity that counts. Maximize your workout while you are in the gym to get the most from every training session.

girl training gym

5. Get a personal trainer

The last way to get the motivation you need is to work out with an experienced personal trainer. For example, you can choose a personal trainer that someone recommended to you. Remember not all trainers have the same training style.

In fact, if you had a personal trainer and you didn’t feel motivated it’s possible you had the wrong trainer for you. It could be the right time to try with someone else. Another benefit is that if you reserve a workout session with a trainer it’s less likely you’ll skip one of the sessions.

As you may have seen, it can be discouraging to return to working out after being away for some time. However, you can do it thanks to the suggestions we have given you in this article.

Of course, keep in mind to stretch out properly before and after every training session. Come on, let’s go!


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Capdevila, L., Niñerola, J., & Pintanel, M. (2004). Motivación y actividad física : el autoinforme de motivos para la práctica de ejercicio físico (AMPEF). Revista de Psicología Del Deporte13(1), 55–74. Retrieved from http://www.rpd-online.com/article/view/261/capdevila 131
  • Molinero, O., Salguero Del Valle, A., & Márquez, S. (2011). Autodeterminación y adherencia al ejercicio: Estado de la cuestión. RICYDE: Revista Internacional de Ciencias Del Deporte7(25), 287–304. https://doi.org/10.5232/ricyde2011.02504

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.