9 Ways to Get Out of a Fitness Funk This Fall

If your motivation to exercise drops along with the temperatures, read on.

 

Struggling to get back into your workout groove? Bored with your same old routine? Here are some tips to help you look and feel your best again.

 

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1. Find incentives

Can’t find the motivation to get out of your cozy pajamas and into workout gear? Ashley Paoli Kapes and Danielle Stock, co-owners of Lovering Studio in Wilmington, keep clients motivated during the colder months with incentives like Trader Joes gift cards or free classes. Inquire at your local studio or gym about any current contests or motivators that might renew your will to work out.

 

2. Seek out deals—especially if you’re a student

Search your area for new studios or gyms that may be offering seasonal deals, says Carin Langen, owner of Right Balance Pilates in Lewes, which opened in January. Langen says Right Balance offers free introductory classes to new students, and rewards clients who come regularly with free passes or FLOAT (a pool-based Pilates program) classes.

 

3. Use the buddy system

Kapes and Stock maintain that working out with a friend inspires you both to stick to a schedule—and adds a competitive edge to your workouts. “Involving yourself around a group of people to help motivate you, I think, is a big key toward being successful,” says Kapes. Stock says many clients use what she calls the “safety-in-numbers tactic”—attending a first class with a friend or family member. Group classes are a great option, too.  

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4. Let your body adapt

Even if you don’t like a new workout at first, give it some time. “It’s always good to try it out, pay for whatever introductory offer the studio or gym is offering, and then give it a full month of your attention,” Langen advises. “Sticking with something for a month will give your body a full opportunity to adjust, especially in the colder months.”

 

5. Establish a schedule

You’ll be much more inclined to stick to your workout routine if you keep a consistent schedule, Langen says. Set up classes and times to work out that best suit your lifestyle.

 

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6. Prevent boredom

Switching up your fitness routine keeps things fresh—and increases your chances of seeing results. Kapes and Stock recommend purchasing packages that include  a wide range of classes. Lovering Studio offers everything from yoga to Skinny Barre (a ballet-inspired, total-body workout) to TRX (suspension training).

 

7. Ramp up the cardio 

Langen notes that we tend to walk a lot more when the weather is warmer. To get your heart racing during the chillier months, she recommends spin classes.

 

8. Remember: Trends are just trends

Don’t get caught up in the notion of what you think fitness should be. “Just because something is the new thing, doesn’t mean it’s going to be the new thing for you,” Kapes says.

 

9. Find your ideal environment

Pinpoint what makes you feel most comfortable when working out. Maybe you like the studio where the fitness instructor calls you by name, or the gym class in which you meet up with the same group each week. Whether you lean toward hot yoga or have a penchant for Pilates, feeling relaxed about your routine and where you practice is crucial, Langen says.

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