6 Ways to Spring-Clean Your Fitness Routine
03.18.2023
The best way to get in shape for summer? Do a little spring cleaning. We’re talking about trying new things to spruce up your fitness routine. Whether it’s a small thing, like squeezing in extra steps, or a bigger commitment to wellness, like keeping your schedule full of group fitness classes, we’ve got ways you can start fresh.
- Become the master of your calendar. Schedule your workouts in advance. That way, your time is blocked and excuses won't get in the way. If you’re short on time, look for express classes that give you a burn in 30 minutes or less. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a great option because you can really get your sweat on in no time. Also, multi-task! If you have a work call and don’t need to be in front of a computer, take the call while walking to squeeze in those extra steps.
- Find a workout buddy. Parter up with a friend to tackle your exercise goals together. Workout buddies encourage you to try new things and be more consistent. When someone else is counting on you to show up for that walk, impromptu yoga session or group fitness class, it’s hard to skip it. That’s not to mention that when you buddy up and move together, you have a built-in cheerleader that motivates you to reach your goals. And if you wind up with a little friendly competition along the way, well… that doesn’t hurt, either!
- Show up — in person! Online workouts are extremely convenient and a great option when you can’t make it to the gym or studio. But there’s nothing like the energy and sense of community you get from an in-person class. Seeing the person next to you work up a sweat will inspire you to push yourself and dig deeper. Plus, you are all in it together without distractions, which makes you less likely to hit pause, answer the doorbell or end your workout early.
- Mix things up so you don’t get in a rut. Boredom is one of the quickest ways to lose interest your workout routine. So, make it anything but routine! Vary your workouts to stay motivated. Maybe it’s indoor cycling or boxing one day, weight training the next, and yoga or Pilates to round things out. Avoid repetition so working out feels new and interesting.
- Challenge yourself. Acquiring a new skill or taking on a new challenge are great ways to win back your motivation. If you’ve always been a runner, try taking up Pilates and make mastering the Hundred a new goal. Or, if you’ve always been a yogi, make a 5k your next conquest. And remember: The only person you’re competing with is yourself. Visualize and work to become the best version of you.
- Be results driven. When you perform the same exercises repeatedly, they become easier over time and can lead to a plateau in your performance. Cross-training workouts are a great fix; studies show they not only give you a well-rounded (and often unpredictable) workout, but can also prevent muscle fatigue and reduce your chances of injury. Even more, switching things up with cross training is likely to be the wakeup call needed to see different — and better — results.
About FitReserve:
FitReserve is the premier multi-studio fitness membership that allows you to mix-and-match in-person, live stream and on-demand workouts across a curated selection of the best studios and gyms. For more information, visit fitreserve.com, download the app on iOS or Google Play, and follow FitReserve on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.