How to Start Exercising After Being Sedentary: 4 Essential Tips
Tips For Restarting Exercise After a Break
Things are opening back up in the world – are you ready? With summer coming at us in full swing just as stay-at-home orders are starting to get lifted, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself back in the summer activities we all know and love, so ideally you should have a plan on how to start exercising after being sedentary.
From backyard BBQ games to beach activities to 4th of July excursions, we want to make sure you’re in your best shape for the summer after sitting through quarantine.
It is possible that the sedentary lifestyle that many of us have experienced since being quarantined can lead to more aches, pains, and discomfort than one may think. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re being safe when getting back into physical activities, in order to avoid unwanted injuries that could take you away from the fun. Inside are some tips for getting back into normal daily activities. As always, if you have any questions or if you’d like additional information, don’t hesitate to contact Panetta Physical Therapy.
...it’s important to make sure you’re being safe
when getting back into physical activities…
Tip #1: Take personal inventory
Before getting back into the full swing of your normal physical activities, it is important to take a personal inventory of your body to understand how it feels. Make sure to identify any new aches or pains that have stemmed from lack of activity, poor posture, or new quarantine activities. By working with a physical therapist, you can minimize these newfound aches and pains, so you can be successful when getting back into your physical activities this summer.
Tip #2: Baby steps at first
If you haven’t been participating in the same type of vigorous physical activity you used to be accustomed to, it is important to begin with baby steps. Start small in the beginning and build up from there. When you push your body past its current limits, you make yourself more prone to injuries because your body is not prepared for the physical demands being asked of it. A physical therapist can help identify impairments and modify your routine, so it is specific for you and your activity goals.
Tip #3: Keeping the correct exercise form
No matter what type of physical exercise you are trying to get back into, form is a crucial part of it. Proper form could mean the difference between physical progress or injury. Your ability to safely perform any movement is reliant on great posture and proper body positioning. When living the sedentary lives that we all currently are, it is possible for your natural posture to shift a bit. A physical therapist can also help you improve your form during exercise by addressing any issues you may have while sitting, standing, twisting, bending, running, jumping, or lifting. Your physical therapist will create targeted exercises and stretches for you to improve your current form and limit the amount of impact on your joints during exercise.
Tip #4: Get back to your weight goal with a custom exercise plan
It is no secret that this quarantine will cause many of us to lose some muscle mass and put on some more weight. With help from a physical therapist, you can set up an exercise regimen that will help you shed some pounds and maintain a healthy weight, taking off the added stress on your joints that may have developed during the stay-at-home orders. Your physical therapist will customize an exercise plan for your specific needs, which may include stretching, aerobic exercise, weight training, or pain relief treatments if necessary. This will help in reaching your targeted weight and decreasing pressure on vulnerable parts of your body.
Ready to get started?
If you are looking for a physical therapist to help you get back into shape after quarantine, or if you’d like extra precautionary tips for returning to daily life, contact us at Panetta Physical Therapy today to discover how we can help you achieve your fitness goals after being sedentary. At Panetta Physical Therapy, we want your summer to be fun, exciting, and injury-free! Call us today to schedule a consultation or speak with one of our licensed physical therapists.
Patient Testimonials
Elisa Bonavita2026-05-03Steve is awesome. He helped get me back on track.
Abby Herritt2026-04-07I’ve been going to Dr. Galassi on and off since I was 16, and he has helped me more than I ever could have imagined. Most recently, I was dealing with numbness in my feet and sciatic pain, and within just a few sessions, the numbness was gone and I felt significantly better. I truly believe he can help fix just about any injury. I’ve recommended so many people to him because I genuinely feel he has a gift for healing. If you’re willing to show up and push through the ups and downs of recovery, he is absolutely the person you want by your side. There have been times I’ve left sessions in tears not from pain, but from disbelief at how much better and more pain-free I felt walking out of the office. I can’t recommend him enough.
Komal Chand2026-02-11My experience at panetta has truly been life changing.i’m so grateful fo the safe,supportive environment and the care I received. A special thank you to my therapist,Danish Anwar for his patience,guidance and understanding. Your support has made a real difference in my journey.
Raymond Prososki2026-01-30I had a great experience with Dr. James Galassi at Panetta Physical Therapy. He’s professional, approachable, caring and explains everything in simple, easy-to-understand terms. The PT assistants — Constantine, Jake, Rich, and Christian — are patient and attentive, and Katie at the front desk makes scheduling and insurance issues easy to manage. Even though they didn’t treat me directly, Dr. Wiley and Dr. Anwar were fun and personable. Highly recommend this friendly, well-run office.
richard lippmann2026-01-20I can't say enough about the staff and the services at Pennetta. Everyone is so helpful and motivated to help heal whatever physical ailments you're dealing with. I especially love the Roslyn Village Office
P W2025-12-31After being diagnosed with rotator cuff injury I came back to James for treatment and exercises at home. After a few weeks I am greatly improved and appreciative for all the work and excellent supervision. Thanks James, Rich and Panetta PT.
Tom Cordero2025-11-16This is an update to my review, which I wrote several years back (see below) and is still applicable! I've recently returned to Panetta Roslyn for help following another injury--this time involving my rotator cuff--and once again, Panetta in Roslyn made all the difference in my healing and recovery. If you live within range and are in need of PT, this is the place you want to be. There are probably a hundred PT centers in Nassau County alone, but there's simply no place like Panetta Roslyn. Normally, you'd be lucky to find ONE Physical Therapist who is as superior as all three of the PT's who call Panetta Roslyn home. Steve, James and Danish are ALL first-rate in their professional knowledge and level of care. Katie who runs the scheduling and other business at the front desk is completely lovely and accommodating. Huge praise for Rich, the therapeutic assistant who manages any number of patients at once in the exercises rehab area--he is incredible! The bottom line, even after all these years, is that Panetta Roslyn is still the place to be. I'm back to my yoga and weight-training routines after hardly being able to lift my left arm, and it's all thanks to these amazing therapists and staff. Below is my original five-star review... I chose Panetta PT because of its proximity to my home, but frankly, it would have been worth a drive five times as long for the level of care and therapeutic treatment I've received here. Every member of the staff is top shelf, beginning with the front desk that's friendly and quick to accommodate even a schedule as specific as mine. The assistants who worked me through my prescribed exercise regimen were all superb, especially Dana, whose knowledge and passion for kinesthetic work is completely inspiring. The big kudos here go to the PT's themselves, two gents who are rock stars in the field as far as I'm concerned. I was lucky enough to have a few sessions with Danny, but my regular therapist was Steve, about whom I could rhapsodize for days. Besides being extraordinarily skilled and completely expert in his professional knowledge, Steve is vastly generous in the time he takes to educate his patients, and highly responsive to the immediate needs of patients before, during and after each session. In two months, I have progressed from barely being able to engage my right shoulder at all to being able to do full push-ups again. Best of all, I've learned what to do and what not to do in the future to protect this fussy joint. The space is sanitary and well attended, the location has ample parking and the care simply cannot be beat. Don't be surprised if, like me, you come to Panetta Roslyn as an anonymous face and leave feeling like a member of the family.
Samantha Kutcher2025-09-24I have been seen at the Roslyn office of Panetta Physical Therapy many times over the years, all with positive results. However I had to use Panetta again recently to rehab after a total knee replacement I had this past July. I have to say, without their help especially the physical therapist, Stephen Wiley, I would not have been back to playing pickleball at 5 weeks post op. I had wanted a therapist who would motivate me and inspire me to work hard both in the office and at home. Stephen knew how important it was to me to get back on the courts and start playing again. It made it easier to get through the painful recovery because our priorities were aligned. Everyone at the office were so very accommodating and caring and kind that it made coming to the office like being with your friends for the hour. I would HIGHLY recommend Panetta Therapy to everyone looking for qualified and caring physical therapists who treat you as a friend and patient.
Kosta Rica2025-08-06Alex is our treating PT specialist and he is very good. Easy going and caring. My son loves coming here. A nice, clean boutique PT place.
Penney Morash2025-06-27I had an outstanding experience at Panetta Physical Therapy. From the moment I walked in, the staff was incredibly welcoming, helpful, and knowledgeable. Scheduling appointments was a breeze, the facility was spotless, and the parking was easy and convenient — which made the whole process stress-free. I worked with Steve Wiley as my physical therapist, and I truly cannot say enough about him. He guided me through recovery from multiple injuries with detailed, easy-to-follow instructions. His professionalism, expertise, and dedication to patient care are unmatched. Steve is, without a doubt, the best physical therapist I have ever met. I’m so grateful for the healing and progress I’ve made thanks to him and the entire Panetta team. Highly recommend!
What Our Patients Are Saying
“When I began pt here I had a very hard time sleeping, dressing myself, and doing normal things around the house. My experience here was awesome. I am now able to do all those things I mentioned that were hard. Jenn the therapist, Kevin, and GioVanna PT Aides were all very professional. They all helped me get back to me! We all had nice conversations and support for each other during the Covid-19 pandemic. We all pulled through! Panetta physical therapy is an awesome place to get pt, and I will recommend to everyone I know. Thank you and I hope to see you all very soon.” –Tracy H.
