15/10/2026
I’ve met many people who were relieved to be cleared for exercise, then felt completely unsure when they walked back into a gym.
They knew they were allowed to train again. They simply didn’t know what “ready” was supposed to look like.
After 21 years of coaching, I’ve learned that this transition needs more than a generic program.
1. CLEARANCE ISN’T A COMPLETE TRAINING PLAN.
Your physiotherapist may have cleared you to begin exercising, but you may still need guidance around suitable movements, weights, and frequency.
2. YOUR STARTING POINT MAY HAVE CHANGED.
Time away from regular training can affect strength, confidence, and capacity. Your first sessions should help establish where you are now.
3. LOAD SHOULD RETURN GRADUALLY
Weight, repetitions, range, and complexity don’t need to increase together. Changing one thing at a time makes it easier to understand how your body responds.
4. RECOVERY PROVIDES USEFUL INFORMATION.
How you feel during the session matters. Your response later that day and the following morning can also help guide what happens next.
5. COMMUNICATION SHOULD CONTINUE.
Your coach should understand your injury history, current symptoms, and the advice provided by your physiotherapist. When appropriate, communication between both professionals can make your return much clearer.
At our Lilyfield studio, we don’t expect someone to walk in and immediately return to where they were before an injury. We begin with the person standing in front of us and build from there.
If you’re returning after physiotherapy, look for a coach who asks about your experience before asking you to lift more.
👉️ Save this before returning to the gym and share it with someone trying to find their way back to training.
📍 Move Method, Lilyfield, Inner West Sydney