My mum told me the other day that she spotted a red wing blackbird. Here in Michigan, this sighting means spring has sprung (finally, I thought winter would never end). When it comes to fitness routines, I find that I need to switch mine up every few months to keep myself motivated and excited. Not to mention, there is something refreshing about revamping a routine. With the weather getting nicer, I thought I would share with you five ways I am refreshing my spring workout routine.

1. Try a New Class

With a new season here, it\’s the perfect opportunity for you to break out of your comfort zone and try something completely new to you. I know this can seem scary (check out my post on gym intimidation for tips), but it can actually be a lot of fun. This weekend, I tried Aerial Yoga – and for me, it was frustrating because I literally could not do anything. However, this presented the perfect opportunity for me to work on strength and flexibility. I am going to sign up for yoga classes and start taking them on a weekly basis to help build upper body and core strength. I will also watch YouTube videos, and do them at home to help me reach my goals quicker. Whether you’re a cardio queen or all about that strength, don’t let your usual workout ways define you. Step outside of that comfort zone, the new workout will challenge your body in new ways – this allows you to beat boredom and get closer to your goals.

2. Revamp your Workout Wardrobe

You’ve Marie Kondo’ed your closet, now move that workout gear front and center so you’re more likely to use it. Maybe even splurge on a new outfit to add some motivation to crush your workouts! Something about new athleisure wear always brings me so much joy. Not only can new workout attire bring fresh motivation, but it’s a great way to reward yourself for all the hard work you’ve been putting in! If you’re a bold pattern babe, stores are packed with plenty of pretty prints for spring. Personally, I am not a bold print babe – – I prefer black pants and top so sweat doesn’t show. Don’t think that your workout clothes need to be expensive. Target, Old Navy, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Five Below are great places to buy super cute activewear without breaking the bank.



3. Take Your Workout Outside

The easiest way to shake things up is to get out of the studio or gym, and hit the pavement for a walk or run. I love going for long walks on the beach along the Lake Michigan shoreline. During the winter months, I spend so much time cooped up inside, I try to take as many workouts as I can outside. Outdoor works are so much fun, I love getting creative and doing body weight HITT, stair climbs, bike rides and more. I really want to do yoga on the beach this year. There’s nothing like breathing in fresh air while sweating it out and detoxing your body from the winter blues. Whenever I workout outside I feel renewed and refreshed after which it immediately puts me into a happier mood. Do you have a booty band? If not I highly recommend getting one! These mini resistance bands are the perfect portable way to take your workout outside. One of my favorite outdoor workouts with a booty band is side shuffles. To do side shuffles: place the booty band just above your ankles, and step your feet hip-width apart. Lower into a squat, engage your core and take a big step to your right with your right foot – bring your left foot to meet it. Next, take a big step to your left with your left foot, and bring the right foot to meet it. 
*Please note I am NOT a trainer, this is just what works for me and what I like.



4. Find a Workout BFF

Two is always better than one! Enlist a bestie to join you once a week for a class for a sweat date. Having a workout buddy means you’ll be more likely to stick to your workout schedule when you know your babe is waiting for you. I am part of the Tone It Up (TIU) community, which has helped me meet like-minded babes who I can workout with. Also, if you can’t make it to the gym or a class together watch YouTube videos and FaceTime! One of my friends lives in North Carolina and I am in Michigan – we used to do this all the time. Not only is it a great way to stay accountable, but working out with someone else is definitely more fun than solo. Now we send each other workouts that we find on Pinterest and Instagram and then go do them on the gym and circle back how we felt during the workout.


5. Set a Spring Fitness Intention

If you’re like me, you do better with little mini goals or intentions. Typically I like to split my goals or intentions up seasonally and monthly so they seem more attainable. Big or small, there are so many fitness goals you can choose from. Sign up for a 5K, do HIIT two days per week, take a yoga class, actually stretch after a sweat session…etc. Pick your goals or intentions for spring, and share them in order to keep yourself accountable! 


I hope these five tips helped to motivate you to keep working at your goals and gave you some ideas of simple ways you can mix up your routine. Please feel free to share your fitness intentions for spring with me – I would absolutely love to hear about what you want to achieve, try, accomplish…etc this spring. Stay tuned to my Instagram to see what goals I am crushing this spring. Also, here is your friendly reminder to hydrate, dehydration only sets you back and makes your skin look awful.

Let’s be honest for a moment, the gym can be a frightening place. Gyms are filled with complicated contraptions promising to build muscles we didn’t even know we had. With gym bros and fitness fanatics knowing exactly what they are doing and dominating every piece of equipment they use, it’s easy to find yourself on the “dreadmill,” because you don’t know what else to do.  Then you think, weights! I can lift weights, but those weight sections are usually crammed with full-grown men grunting, which is enough to freak anyone out – especially someone who doesn’t know what weight to grab. Studies suggest that lack of confidence and a tendency for women to feel self-conscious when exercising is a huge key factor in making us ladies less active. I even recently heard someone say “I’m too fat to go to the gym,” whoa, that is completely crazy and no one should ever feel like that. But, trust me I get it. I spend hours on Instagram looking at fitness routines by perfect Instagram influencers and wish my body was more like theirs. I pull myself apart, until I finally pull myself together to step foot in the gym and then I kind of shut down. You know the moment where you don’t think you look that good, to begin with and then you step foot into a gym where every female looks like Ashleigh Jordan and every male looks like Arnold – it’s intimating. But, like anyone else I have to tell myself we all need to start somewhere, and I am here at the gym instead of sitting on my couch eating Doritos that has to count for something. To help you get past gym intimation I am going to give you five tips that helped me.

Try out classes

If you’re new to exercise, or just don’t know where to get started I highly recommend trying out some classes. Classes allow you to try a variety of exercise out under the watchful eye of an instructor. Typically you can even find a studio that is for babes only, which will help with the intimation of guys watching you. Some of my favorite studio classes include kickboxing, cycle, booty classes, barre, boot camp class, and yoga. The Barre Code is for babes only and offers a wide variety of classes. 



If you’re hoping that classes will be a starting point for more independent training, look for a class at a gym that utilizes gym equipment and incorporates a variety of exercises. A circuit or weight training class will include a variety of different moves, and there will be a trainer available to help make sure you have proper form. Once you are feeling confident enough you can take your new skills out on the gym floor and design your own routine based on the exercises you enjoy most. 


Find a fitness influencer (that’s relatable)

If you have no idea where to get started and don’t feel confident asking for help look to social media. There are fitness influencers from all walks of life with a wide range of body types that can help inspire you to reach your goals. Most influencers post videos and photos explaining how to use equipment and demonstrate the correct posture for the exercise. Many will even share full routines and gym sessions that you can adapt and try yourself, some even sell plans and offer challenges that will help hold you accountable. 



Some of my favorite influencers are:

Blogilates

Tone It Up

Katrina Scott

Karena Dawn

DesB

Lauren Gleisberg

Sarah Beth Yoga

Ashleigh Jordan

Cristina Capron


Hire a personal trainer

I understand personal trainers are expensive, however, you can get by with just doing one or two sessions with the trainer and have them show you proper form on machines. Most trainers are happy to arrange a one-off session to figure out a personal workout plan that you can do in your own time. This is what I did, it helped me learn how to properly use the equipment, gave me workout ideas, I learned what I should workout every day and the importance of steady state cardio. The goal of a personal trainer isn’t to have one forever, it’s to get you comfortable enough so you can workout on your own. 

Find a workout buddy

You know the saying, “there’s safety in numbers” this applies to the gym. Roping in a friend to join you at the gym may help to alleviate some of your nerves. Having a buddy there will help you feel less self-conscious, you’ll have someone to laugh with and learn the equipment with. I love going to workout classes with friends because it holds me accountable and makes sure that I go. One of my friends and I used to meet at the gym at 5 am just so we would have someone to workout with. Having that extra support system can make a world of a difference.

People aren’t paying attention to you

Remember everyone in the gym is focused on their own workout, and as much as it seems like people are staring, the reality is they aren’t. Everyone was once a gym newbie, and most people will not judge you – even if you look unsure of what you’re doing. Focus on your goals, try new things and most importantly have fun. The gym shouldn’t be a place you dread, it should be a place that makes you feel amazing. 


A game changer for me is wearing a baseball hat, it actually helps me just focus on myself at that moment and not pay attention to anyone else – mainly because I cannot see anyone else when I am wearing it. 
CALIA by Carrie Underwood sells baseball hats in a variety of colors, therefore, you can find one that will go nicely with your outfit. Or a solid black one is always nice, since black typically does not show sweat. 



I hope these tips have been helpful, if you have any gym concerns or questions please feel free to leave a comment or message me!