How I got back into fitness after a long break
These three tips helped get me off the couch, back into the club, and feeling better about the shape I’m in
By Alex Schwartz
I got married last year right before the Covid-19 closures started and social distancing began. My now wife and I wanted to be in shape for the wedding (her actual goal was to successfully do one pull-up, which she accomplished!), and we got in the habit of coming to the club and working out nearly every day. For the first time in my life, I transitioned from being intimidated by the weight floor to confidently picking the perfect weight for a deadlift. Then the wedding passed. And COVID came. And suddenly 6 months had passed since we last stepped foot in the club. All my old, good workout habits were gone. My shape started changing. Neither of us could do a pull-up.
When the club opened again, we found it difficult to restart the habit. The intimidation crept back. It wasn’t overt anymore—I still knew how to perform all the basic movements, I still knew which machines I like to use, and I still had the list of my favorite classes. But the intimidation was subtler, and in a lot of ways felt harder to overcome. All the soreness I endured getting ready for the wedding, the strength I built, it all reverted back to zero. I had to do it all over again. It was a high mountain to climb in the first place—and now it felt downright Sisyphean.
So instead, Netflix. Like, pretty much every night after work.
It was my wife who first got me to do the right thing (as has become the norm in our marriage) and come back to the club. I’ve mustered the strength to come back every other day since—and I’m feeling much better. My shape is returning, my Netflix habit has reduced to respectable levels, and my back doesn’t hurt as much after long days in Zoom meetings.
These are the three main strategies that helped me get back into the exercise habit after this long break.
Start with a visit to the club (you don’t even have to work out), then go from there.
When I thought about the shape I used to be in, it made going to the club for the first time intimidating. I was also worried about how safe I would feel being there. What I decided to do was visit the club for a quick walk around—I wanted to see the new cleaning technology for myself, and how I felt being there. I didn’t even plan on working out. Literally every Midtown employee was cleaning, and I felt so comfortable I decided to stay and get my first workout in.
Turn your quaran-team into your workout team
My wife and I go to the gym together. On any given day, one of us doesn’t want to go to the club. The other one gives us the motivation we need that day. She doesn’t let me off the hook, and it has made all the difference.
Use the outdoor spaces (because they’re awesome)
The weather has helped. When it’s nice and the sun is out, I’m on the Chicago club’s Outfield with a set of kettlebells and a medicine ball. I love it out there. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can find me in the regular fitness area on the third floor—or in the new outdoor (but covered) strength training area near the parking garage. Knowing those outdoor spaces are available really helped me.
Hopefully these tips help motivate you to get back into your routine, too.