Deciding to begin a new workout routine is a great step toward improving your health and fitness. Yet it's easy to skip workouts or fall behind, even with the best intentions. If you're struggling with how to stick to a workout routine, check out these five tips.

1. Create a Workout Calendar

Wondering how to stay on an exercise plan? The first step is to create and manage an effective workout calendar. To maintain a workout schedule, consider the following questions:

• Which parts of your daily schedule are fixed? Fixed parts of your schedule include work, picking up kids from school, or family dinner.
• Which parts of your daily schedule can be adjusted? Consider activities that fill the time, like watching TV or scrolling through social media.
• What time of day is the most convenient for a workout? Workouts are not limited to the early morning. You're free to squeeze your workout into any open availability during your day.

Once you've answered these questions, create a workout calendar that makes sense for your lifestyle. By taking these factors into consideration, it will be easier for you to stick to a new routine. 

2. Set Goals

Use goals to keep yourself motivated and measure your success on your new workout journey:

• Be specific: Each day, set specific exercise goals that build on your accomplishments the day before. For example, if you met your goal to run on the treadmill for 30 minutes, increase that goal to 35 minutes the next day.
• Think short-term and long-term: Use a combination of short-term and long-term goals for ultimate success. Short-term goals could be spending a certain amount of time doing cardio or weights. Long-term goals can be to lose weight or build muscle mass.

3. Use the Buddy System

Working out with a partner means there is someone else to help keep you accountable. It is much more difficult to cancel your workout plans if your partner is expecting you. Working out with a partner also makes exercise more fun. You have someone to set goals with, celebrate successes with and have fun with while you train. Consider the benefits of exercising in groups by getting more friends to join you.

4. Hire a Trainer

One of the most effective ways to stick to your fitness goals is to hire a personal trainer. Personal trainers are dedicated to helping you develop healthy routines and challenge you to stay focused. They are an excellent resource for learning more and staying safe during new types of exercise, like weight lifting. Personal trainers can even assist beyond the gym, working with you to balance your nutrition at home.

5. Have Fun

It's easier to stick to your workout plan if you enjoy it. While hitting the cardio machine five days a week may be an excellent choice for some, others find better success with interactive exercises, like dance classes or participating in team sports. Find an indoor sports center that offers classes, teams and plenty of activities to choose from. Keep experimenting until you find something you can look forward to doing.

Achieve Your Fitness Goals at Spooky Nook Sports

Spooky Nook Sports is the largest indoor sports complex in the United States. In addition to co-ed sports — including basketball, volleyball, field hockey, lacrosse and more — Spooky Nook Sports has a climbing center, training and fitness centers, indoor track, and turf fields. With so many options, you are sure to find an activity you love.

 Learn more about our membership benefits today!