It's not always easy to pick up where you left off -- especially when it comes to fitness. As a trainer and registered yoga teacher, I'm often asked how to start working out again after a long break -- or how to start exercising in general, if you've never been into fitness at all. The first tip I give anyone who asks these questions is to give yourself grace; life is hectic for all of us regardless of the time of year, especially when you're managing a career, loved ones, and your health.

When getting back into working out, remember that your strength, stamina, and endurance might not be where they were when you last hit the gym. If you start exercising again with the mindset you're going to hit the ground running, not only are you setting yourself up for failure, but you're also setting yourself up for potential injuries.

At its core, fitness is about creating strength you can actually maintain. Although there is always room to build more strength, agility, and endurance, you want to ensure your main focus is on creating a workout plan that fits into your lifestyle long-term. No matter why you stopped working out in the first place (life happens!) there's several strategies that can help you regain your strength and fall back into a sustainable routine. Read on for some of the best -- and safest -- ways to start working out again, as informed by fitness experts.

Ashley Joi, CPT, is a certified personal trainer at Hume Los Angeles, a former PS Fit instructor, and a Strava athlete.

There are a variety of ways to get back into working out, but these are the top five strategies recommended by myself and trainer Ashley Joi, CPT.

When restarting a fitness journey, the best workouts are anything low impact (like walking, swimming, Pilates, and yoga). Low-impact workouts are easier on the joints, but they'll still elevate your heart rate. You can also start weight training when getting back into your workout regimen, but you may feel more comfortable with a personal trainer or fitness instructor to guide you. This way, you don't hurt yourself due to poor form or over-lifting.

If you haven't worked out in a while, it makes sense that your form might not be in tip-top shape. While you're re-learning all the best practices, make sure you're doing what you can to avoid injury. Experts recommend the following:

Ultimately, working out should be fun, not a form of punishment. "Your starting point can be whatever you're capable of," Joi says. "Avoid comparing yourself to others, and focus on your own health and life. Do it for yourself, not other people."

Christa Janine is a seasoned media professional based in Los Angeles, boasts a diverse educational background encompassing digital cinema, journalism, and anthropology, with a master of arts in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. Christa is a prominent figure in the health and wellness industry, recognized as a 500-hour E-RYT yoga instructor and a trusted influencer in the digital fitness space. She currently instructs for Alo Moves and PS, leveraging her platform to encourage others to lead authentic lives and actively advocating for diversity and inclusion within the yoga and fitness space, spurred by her own experiences navigating the industry's systemic inequalities. Christa is a PS Council member.