On Fitness On Goals On Health On Hustle On Motivation

So You’re Injured and Miss the Gym.

Hey! 

So let’s talk about health. Specifically, injuries. I have a history of injuries ranging from gout flare ups to a pissed off sciatic nerve that has sidelined me quite a few times. I used to be big into boxing in my mid-twenties. I absolutely loved training and was able to actually compete once as an amateur but because I pushed myself quite a bit I ended up with a few injuries.

Before I continue, I realize that in many places, including Ontario, gyms have been closed for quite some time thanks to COVID-19 and government responses to it. Agree with it or not, it’s what the current situation is. The gym is often more than a place for people to run on a treadmill, lift a few weights, or take a class or two. They often provide as much positive MENTAL health as they do physical and it is incredibly frustrating to not be able to have them. I appreciate this and I truly hope we can soon safely get back to something that resembles normal. I wrote this post with the mindset of what to do WHEN we can return to our work out communities, which I truly pray is sooner than later.

Now, to continue…..

“the gym to me, like many people, was more than just a place to work out”

The thing was, the gym to me, like many people, was more than just a place to work out or to spar, it was a community and so not being able to go because of those injuries was quite upsetting.

To cope I decided to continue to go to the gym and help out, which ultimately put me on the path of becoming an assistant coach. Maintaining my schedule, despite my injuries, allowed for a couple of things. 

Firstly, it kept the habit of going to the gym. Honestly, I was afraid of growing accustomed to not working out and did not want to become lazy, and so even though I didn’t do much ‘working out’, going to the gym let me keep my routine so that when I was finally fit and ready to return more strenuous activities, I didn’t have to restart the habit of getting dressed and going. That habit never ended and getting out the door, (especially when it comes to exercise) was often the hardest part. 

“Being a part of that gym was being part of an incredible community and I made sure I stayed connected to it.”

Secondly, continuing to go to the gym allowed me to stay connected to the gym and my friends. I couldn’t work out but I could be supportive to those who were training. When I could, I held pads or kept time. I provided tips on how they could improve and just chatted (on breaks and after the work outs, obviously). Being a part of that gym was being part of an incredible community and I made sure I stayed connected to it. 

Finally, showing up and helping ultimately gave me the opportunity to play a bigger role in the gym. Because I spent time holding pads, watching sparring matches and listening to my coach actually be a coach, I learned how to become one as well. I eventually began to run classes when Coach wasn’t there. Learning how to be a coach made me a better fighter as well, knowing what things I should look out for and improve on, things I wouldn’t have learned if I stayed home. 

It might sound weird to show up to your gym and just hang out, but to be honest doing so kept my spirits up when I started to feel down on myself for not being able to train. Yes, I often wanted to work out and had to control myself so I didn’t make my injury worse, but learning to go slow was worth being able to remain a part of the gym.

If you’ve experienced an injury and are able to, I’d say, keep going to the gym and keep the habit going, that said also remember that it’s a place to train and not primarily a social club. Don’t be a distraction but offer your support, whether it’s boxing, karate, basketball or Pilates find a way to remain a part of the community. An injury may take you away from being on the court, but it shouldn’t keep you out of the building. 

– Kenners

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