Hey, Men's Health MVP. Have you had to take some time off from your workouts? Are you concerned that you might not be in the best shape to jump right back on the fitness wagon?
As psyched as you may be to regain your fitness, charging back in with all guns blazing is a sure path to disaster, especially if heavy weights are involved. Detraining happens, and you might lose some of your hard-earned gains when you're unable to keep up with your training at the level you've established during your most dedicated times. Once you're ready to get back in the gym, don’t assume you’ll achieve new personal records on your first day back. The good news is, regaining strength is a faster process than starting from scratch. So, don’t panic.
Instead, keeping your cool and starting conservatively could be your ticket to a successful return to training—without landing you on the injured list. This four-week plan, split over three sessions, focuses on building strength and power by progressing through compound lifts, before adding slabs of conditioned muscle and burning fat with circuits. If you feel so inspired, record your results after every workout and check back each week to track how you’ve progressed. Having a record of your gains can keep you motivated and help you bust through any plateaus.
DOWNLOAD YOUR 4-WEEK PLAN HERE
And remember, as an MVP, you can use your exclusive members-only discount to our online shop to get much more from Men’s Health.
