Getting Back Into the Gym Safely This September
As summer holidays wind down and routines return to normal, September has become one of the busiest times of year for gyms and fitness studios across the UK, second only to January.
According to fitness platform TeamUp, September is one of the two peak periods for UK gyms each year, as habits reset once school terms and work patterns return. For many people, that means picking a training routine back up after several weeks off, or restarting one that quietly fell away over summer.
The temptation after time away is often to try to pick up exactly where you left off, but the body adapts fairly quickly to reduced activity.
The NHS recommends building activity back up gradually, rather than jumping straight back into a previous level of intensity, to help reduce the risk of strains and overuse injuries.
We often see a small rise in neck and back pain at this time of year, usually linked to people returning to exercise more quickly than their body has adjusted for.
Chiropractic care can help support people through this transition, particularly around movement and joint function as training intensity increases again.
• Ease back in over two to three weeks rather than one session
• Prioritise a proper warm-up, especially for the lower back and neck/shoulders.
• Alternate harder sessions with lighter, recovery-focused ones
• Pay attention to any new aches rather than working through them
Whatever your goals this autumn, taking a gradual approach now can save you time and setbacks later. September is as good a time as any to build a routine that lasts.