While some patients will continue to go to the gym to perform exercises on uninjured body parts or to perform their home exercise program, there are several circumstances in which individuals may refrain from working out in a gym before or during their time in physical therapy.

Avoid interference with healing tissue: There are times following a surgery, injury or illness when light and simple home-based exercises are what is needed to support the body’s healing process. In these times your PT or physician may request that you do not work out at the gym until it is safe to do so.

If gym exercises caused the injury: When a gym routine causes an injury, it is reasonable to take a break from the gym while you focus on healing. Return to the gym then requires careful assessment of what caused the injury and steps to modify those actions to prevent future injury.

You’ve never worked out in a gym before: Working out in a gym can sometimes feel intimidating for those who do not feel confident in their level of fitness or their ability to negotiate a building full of unfamiliar equipment and unfamiliar people. If they do not have a great home-based exercise routine these individuals may not participate in regular exercise.

hWHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BELONGING TO A GYM?

While some people love to workout at home. There are many reasons one may benefit from joining a gym.

Creating commitment: For those that love to workout at home, they may not see any reason to pay for a gym membership, however, many people find access to a comfy couch and their daily routines interfere with their commitment to consistent exercise at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all adults participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and 2 strength training days per week. This works out to an average of 30 min of moderate-intensity aerobic training, 5 days per week. Though your physical therapist will recommend specific exercises to help you maintain your health and prevent injury recurrence after your discharge, it is still important that adults aim to reach these general exercise recommendations. Having a gym membership can give you access to multiple modes of exercise–group classes, personal trainer, strength and cardio equipment–to help you find something you enjoy and will use consistently.

Additionally, many people find that the environment of a gym can be motivating. A large gym will have many people exercising together while a smaller gym may allow for a more personalized community. Either way, choosing a gym that is convenient, has the equipment or resources you are looking for and is affordable is one that will help you with exercise consistency.

Access to specific equipment: When you are discharged from physical therapy, you will have a program of exercises or recommended routines to help you maintain the awesome gains you made in therapy. Gyms typically provide a variety of equipment from cardio machines, strength training machines, free weights, pools and more. One of the best ways to ensure you successfully maintain the gains you made in therapy is to ensure you have access to the necessary equipment. Throughout your plan of care and as you approach discharge, talk with your therapist about the types of training you wish to participate in and the types of equipment you will have available so that your therapist can educate you and tailor a discharge exercise program appropriately.

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If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help with a return to gym Program, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

RETURNING TO THE GYM THE RIGHT WAY

Returning to the gym the right way after a break is really important to promote long-term success after physical therapy. While your physical therapist will provide individualized advice, here are some things you can do to help return to the gym successfully:

Follow the exact exercise prescription and progression your therapist prescribes to avoid interrupting tissue healing or recurrence of injury (this includes sets, reps, type of exercise, rest, load, frequency and listening to symptoms).

Discuss the type of training you wish to resume so your therapist can tailor your rehab program to that type of training and ensure you are ready to resume modified or full training levels

Let your therapist know what types of equipment you have available at your gym so they can tailor a discharge exercise program to that equipment

Ask gym staff to orient you to any equipment you are not familiar with so you can utilize it safely

Consider working with a knowledgeable personal trainer after discharge who can implement the discharge-exercise program and help you progress safely

Work with a sport-specific movement expert to help you progress safely in more complex movement patterns like Olympic lifting or golf, following discharge.

LET EVOLVE PHYSICAL THERAPY GET YOU BACK ON TRACK

We, the physical therapy staff at Evolve, love to help our patients get back into the gym the right way. To learn more about how the physical therapists at Evolve Physical Therapy can help you improve performance, prevent injury and recover from pain, injury or surgery, call to schedule an evaluation today.

Call to Schedule a Consultation! 1-718-258-3300