Spring has finally sprung!  Just like many of us get excited to throw open the windows of our home to let in the fresh spring air, it’s equally nice to “air out” your workout routine in the spring as well.  Here are some ideas for how to shake up your workout routines for the spring and refresh your perspective as well.  

Add outdoor movement.   

Spring time is the perfect excuse to head back outdoors for a run or a walk.  Get outside, breathe in the fresh air and soak up some vitamin D- bonus points for early morning sunshine!   

Did you know that the benefits of sunlight exposure are endless: 

• Early morning sunlight specifically helps to regulate sleep patterns and quality of sleep.  
• Sunlight is mood enhancing and boosts serotonin (which regulates mood & contributes to overall feelings of happiness).   
• Exposure to natural light, particularly in the morning hours, has been shown to increase productivity.  
• The benefits of getting some extra sunshine abound, so get outside for an extra walk or run!   

Take yoga classes. 

For many of us, our favorite outdoor workouts can be extra intense on the lower body.  Bike rides, long runs, hiking- the best time of the year for active people is right now, when we get can finally get back outside for these workouts.  That said, remember how powerful even just one yoga class a week can be to aid in your rest and recovery.  Tight hamstrings and calves?  Come let the heat and stretching serve you even more during the warmer months than it might when it’s cold out.  

Try to stay consistent with what works for you. 

Don’t forget about building strength as you start to add in more outside workouts.  If you’re changing your weekly routines to incorporate more outdoor time, you are not alone.  That said, remember that building and maintaining strength (by taking Sculpt, F.I.T., Barre, or Hot Flow + Weights) is still really important too. As the seasons change, it’s a great time to ask yourself if you might be ready to change things up when you’re taking weighted classes.  Can you go heavier?  Would it serve your body to slow down your reps during class?  Are there small changes you can make that might bring about big gains?  Stay consistent with strength workouts, even as you find yourself exercising more outside.   

Have a Plan & Refresh Your Routine.  

Taking a quick moment or two to plan your weekly workouts is a simple and powerful way to set yourself up for success.  This springtime, you could even create a checklist for your week.  Are there certain class formats or workout styles that you know you don’t want to miss?  Having a checklist is a fun (and surprisingly motivating) way to ensure that you accomplish what you set out to accomplish. For example, your checklist might include 1-2 Sculpt, Barre, or F.I.T. classes, 1-2 yoga classes, and some outdoor workout time as well. Including rest and recovery days is essential so that you’ll maintain consistency and avoid burnout. What are your goals for the spring?  Has anything changed since the last time you thought about your fitness goals?  Give yourself permission to shake things up this spring and see how much a fresh routine motivates you! 

Set new goals.   

Goal setting doesn’t have to happen only in January.  The changing seasons are a perfect time to challenge yourself in new ways.  Some goals to consider would be lifting heavier weights during weighted classes or deciding to focus on form over everything, even if it means (especially if it means!) slowing your reps down.  Maybe you consider taking classes at a different time of day or visiting a new Power Life location that you haven’t been to before.  Spring is the perfect time of year to take another look at your goals and change things up if it feels motivating to you.   

Find an accountability partner. 

Don’t underestimate the power of accountability as you head into spring and summer.  This might look like meeting a friend at class.   It could also be as simple as telling a friend what you’re planning on doing for workouts this week while they share their plan with you as well.  It’s surprisingly motivating to know what your workout bestie is up to this week, and all the better for you both if you can squeeze in a quick coffee date after class! 

Make it FUN!  None of this is all that serious. 

Spring, with all its new growth and beauty, is a wonderful time to remember that fitness can be fun too!  At Power Life, one of our favorite aspects of the workout is the people.  Make a new friend or plan to attend class with an old friend.  Grab coffee or brunch after class for bonus points!  Ask the teacher about a song that you loved from their playlist.  There are so many fun and exciting things that can come out of a workout that have nothing to do with the actual exercise- lean in to that this spring too!    

Let’s shake off the winter blues and embrace all that is new and exciting this spring.  We’re excited to see you at one of our Power Life locations soon!