The importance of exercise during and after the Covid-19 pandemic
It goes without saying that the past 18 months has been somewhat of a whirlwind for most of us. Many of the things that we take for granted in our everyday lives have been changed, from how we work to the way we socialise and see our friends.
Another thing that Covid-19 has impacted, and specifically the lockdowns that we have been through, is exercise. With gyms and fitness classes shut down for a considerable amount of time and personal trainers unable to provide their one to one service to their clients, this has had a much bigger impact than many people will have realised, especially when you consider that most people have not been able to access their usual level of fitness.
That said, looking in a more positive light, things are changing. This means that we can start to think about our futures and returning to the form of exercise that we love the most.
Exercise after Covid-19 lockdowns, why is it important?
Of all the things that were sent to test us during the lockdowns, we faced one part that most of us found a challenge: our time outside, being active, was limited. Of course, this meant that many people learned how to stay involved in their own home and learned just how important it was to be outside whenever they could.
The same is true for exercise. In whatever form you choose, being active has many links to decreasing the impact of several mental health conditions. Namely depression and anxiety. Seeing as both of these have seen an increase in diagnosis during the pandemic, and now we are starting to return to “normal”, it is easy to see why exercise has become so key.
Another reason that exercise has become even more important is that it gives you a reason to escape your home. Sometimes those four walls that otherwise are a safe and welcoming sanctuary become somewhat suffocating, which means that we need to find an excuse to get outside. Something that exercise can help us with.
How to get back into exercise
If you haven’t been able to exercise at all, or as much as you would like to, due to the pandemic, then you may be concerned about how exactly you can get back into the swing of things. One of the main things you should try to do is take your time and not rush yourself.
Working out on your own, whether at a gym or in a more outdoor space, can often lead to injury because you are trying to do too much. That or you feeling burnt out or unmotivated because the level that you are trying to reach is set too high for you and your fitness capabilities at this present moment in time.
This is where a personal trainer is going to be able to help you. The idea of a personal trainer is that they can use their expertise, knowledge and experience, to ensure that you achieve your goals. Not only this but also at a pace that is right for you.
Of course, personal training can prove to be hugely beneficial regardless of the situation. However, when you consider how little you may have been able to train of late and how this could have impacted your fitness levels.
No matter what exercise you choose or your level and ability, the main thing you should focus on is simply getting back out there. Start slow and build up, and I can promise you that you will feel ready to take on the world, even if it is a few small steps at a time.
For more advice or to book in a personal training session with me in Clapham, you should get in touch today. I can help you set your goals, provide unlimited support and feedback, and create you a training programme that’s designed just for you.
Best Wishes
Amy