I must admit, I have really taken it easy the past couple of months and after starting the process of re-introducing my body back to the gym I can tell you that it is best to make it a slow and steady transition versus fast and furious!
Heading into the gym and seeing everyone else the obviously haven’t had the “off season” like I have had, I felt propelled to step in and try to train like I had in the past, with the same intensity, weight, etc. Not a good idea…
What You Want To Do:
- Maximum Weight
- Maximum Reps
- Maximum Intensity
Reality:
- You can’t lift nearly what you were before your off-season
- You DEFINITELY will not have the capacity to do nearly as many reps as you would like
- And most definitely, the intensity will not be there…I felt so winded and in the past the same routine would had been a light warm up
My Advice:
- Take It Easy! Ease into it, take a 2-4 weeks before you really start to turn up your intensity.
- Remember your muscles will likely need minimum repetitions and weight to achieve failure
- Don’t focus on the weight you are lifting because you will get frustrated, just focus on good technique and strive to make your muscles burn (Aim for 12-15 reps) but total failure isn’t’ necessary…Believe me, you will be sore!
Just don’t do what I did and workout with someone who is in peak condition and try to match them rep for rep, because you may injure yourself as I nearly escaped!
All the best…and don’t forget to take it easy!
Kurt
