Are sports hard to get back into after years of not doing them?

[Willow4]

I really want to get back into gymnastics but it's literally been close to 6 years since I did anything like that. Do you just lose the feel for a sport after that long?

Bear in mind I quit pro figure skating following a back injury which also affected my legs. I still move lol I've lost some flexibility and strength but my arms are still strong. Is it possible to go back to a demanding sport considering injuries and years without practice? I don't want to do anything hardcore, just get back into sport :)

Any amateur gymnasts/sports people who've had similar experiences would help! Thank you :)

[cluelesswriter]

I used to do professional figure skating, after fracturing my arm I had to take a break and I become so involved with life that when I was good to go back on ice, I was too distracted by other things to actually be 100% focused on figure skating. I spent a year off the ice, I didn't even go as a form of entertainment. At the beginning of the year, I returned. It was extremely difficult because I wasn't used to the tight schedule and the long hours of practice any longer. During the beginning, it's going to be hard because you have to adapt your lifestyle to suit the sport. But if you have the determination to push yourself and get yourself back up, you can do it!

[Willow4]

Wow thank you! That was really helpful coming from someone who did the same sport. I'm sorry you fractured your arm, landing on ice is such an emotional knock aswell. I went out of a triple axel straight onto the side of my skate and landed smack on my back and broke it so since then I just had to stop, 10 years of hard 7 day training and it's over lol. But I used to incorporate a lot of gymnastics into my ballet and dance and it's something I enjoyed a lot. Judging from the strain on my quads and back from uneven bars I think it's not going to be easy and I'm 22 now :/ but it's worth a try with the right determination as you said :) I hope you're still enjoying being on the ice! :)

[cluelesswriter]

It really is! You become quite uncertain with your moves on ice. Ah, I'm sorry to hear that. It's amazing how so many years of hard work can be thrown out of the window in split seconds. It won't be the same as before, I can assure you that, but you can still make it. Of course, training won't be as hectic as it used to be since it was pro but now you can do it on your own pace which is very nice. I am and I wish the best of luck to you and returning to your sports!

[Willow4]

That's ok, maybe it was meant to happen lol and that's so true, falls like that made you realise just how dangerous skating can be. I don't mind less hectic training, in fact I'd prefer it, I'd love to just have fun with it now. Thank you so much and thanks for all your help! :)

[teasegirl]

I think it's possible to get at the same level you were. As long as you realize that training will be hard. Also make sure you take care of previous injuries.

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

Yes, i use to lift weights, exercise excess fully,
i walked all the time the hills to stores for my
late mom in snow, shoes soaked with water
brought a shopping cart up steep hill it
was snowing outside and taxi cab never came
but it was filled with groceries for my family
i worked cutting grass , using hand weed whacker
nothing electric, stuff caught up to me that's
why i got nerve damage, numbness, arthritis
on 12-14 medications for my mind, physical health
age 46 not worth nothing to anyone

[madhatters4]

you do lose a bit of the feel and in gymnastics certainly some of the flexibility. but I know people who did gymnastics as children and can still do the various roundoffs, flips etc.

it will certainly take work but you can probably do it. I doubt with your injury at the pace or success that you did prior to the injury

[Willow4]

The flexibility is the problem :/ I can still do flips, somersaults, the splits, gainers etc but not with ease anymore. It's puts strain on my back. Perhaps asking my doctor would be a sensible thing to do actually. Thank you for your imput! :)

[BertMacklinFBI]

only if its a diminishing skill... but as long as you are willing and have passion than nothing is hard. actually it will be fun.

[BertMacklinFBI]

I should've said perishable skill.

[Willow4]

Yeah to be honest I just want to have fun with it now...without landing another back injury! lol

[Hans222]

Very important is not to overdo it in the beginning. If you feel pain after the first few efforts it will discourage you.
Best is to begin with some modest walking or cycling and to take days off between your workouts.
You can than gradually start going to the gym and/or do some running.
Always listen to your body. If an effort feels like "too much" is't better to slow down or take a day to rest before the next training.

You'll see, after a few weeks you'll start feeling a lot better!

[Willow4]

Thank you for your input! :) and I agree about listening to your body, something I'm not currently very good at lol :/

[Hans222]

Good luck, enjoy sports :-)

[Willow4]

lol thank you! That's sweet :)

[islandinhabitant]

Go for it, just start small and don't push too hard. I played cricket at school and used to really enjoy it. I last played when I was 16 but will be taking part in a charity match this summer. Started training last month and am slowly getting back into the swing shall we say

[islandinhabitant]

Almost six years to the day since I last played

[Willow4]

Good pun ;) I haven't even considered how long I'd need to get back to the right flexibility level again, being able to do a back flip isn't going to cut it I think.

[islandinhabitant]

I wouldn't even know where to start, flexibility sounds painful ;P

[Willow4]

Just imagine being the golf club :P

[islandinhabitant]

Ouch :P Be careful! Bonne Chance :D

[Willow4]

I'll try :P

[biggie90]

Yes they are even something as simple as lifting weights is hard to get back into. I sprained my ankle and was out of the gym for a month and in a month I lost strength and the mind muscle connection lol.

[Willow4]

How long did it take you to get back into full swing? lol :/

[biggie90]

Like a few months and I think it can be even tougher when your dealing with sports that require flexibility... :(

[Willow4]

Yeah I had a feeling that would be the case :( might be more painful that I had hoped.

[fiego]

I got back into lacrosse after a 15 year break. It took me a bit to start to get the old skills back but it eventually happened. Go for it is my suggestion

[ThatBritishLad]

I play golf (Poorly, but I do) with my father, yet due to the constraints of our lives we could go months or even years between games. Rest assured though, I often feel better at the game every time regardless of the breaks :O

[Willow4]

I don't know anything about golf I'm afraid, is it something you need to have a lot of preparation for? :) I don't think crazy golf counts? ;) Cos I'm good at that lol

[ThatBritishLad]

Crazy golf should be on Sky Sports, I'm just saying ¬w¬
Golf is one of those sports you don't actually need to know too much about to enjoy I find. That's why I play it: It's essentially a scenic walk with friends where you occasionally take shots.

[nickstaa]

I'm not sure what gymnastics is like but I'd say you could get back to it if you're pretty fit. I got back into indoor cricket lol after a 4 year delay and it first it's a bit weird but then it all comes back.

Just don't rush it too fast lol.

[Willow4]

Was it like riding a bike going back to cricket or were you like a deer in the headlights for a while? lol. I don't think I could rush it even if I wanted to, I have enough flexibility to tumble and stuff but man do my legs hurt after, and i mean HURT lol. I don't want to give myself another injury.

[nickstaa]

lol neither really. When I was bowling it just felt like a semi familiar body movement but it just didn't feel smooth. but after like a month or so it felt all natural. Gymnastics might be different though with flips and everything.

[Willow4]

I wouldn't have wanted to be on the receiving end of your arm :P

It might be a bit different but I think the same still applies, it's having to get your whole body prepared for something new :/

[nickstaa]

Haha I'm sure you would have been able to handle my arm :p

that's true , you should start practicing by doing the splits lol.

[Willow4]

Yeah I might have to start with the basics :/

I'll just stand well out the way, don't want to end up with another injury :P

[rthomas43]

It takes time, but once you find your groove, it'll all come back to ya!

[Willow4]

I'll try and find my groove without breaking something lol :)

[Hyped_up_on_coffee]

Yes because you will be sore as fuck usually and in your case not as flexible

[Willow4]

Yeah your whole body stiffens up, I think it would take more than a couple of flips to get me flexible again :/

[Hyped_up_on_coffee]

yeah and lots of yoga and stretching

[Willow4]

Someone did suggest yoga, sounds like it would be ideal for this :)

[Hyped_up_on_coffee]

yup ! it helps you develop flexibility and pain tolerance

[Willow4]

Pain tolerance is a must :/

[llorando]

Yes it can be, especially if your not in shape as you use to be.

[mario1321]

Muscle remebers