How To Create A Workout Routine In 4 Steps

How to Create a Workout Routine in 4 Steps

A new fitness routine may be the gateway to the kind of change you sorely need. Maybe it’s been a minute (or a year), and you want to return to a place where climbing up a long flight of stairs doesn’t overwhelm you. Or, perhaps you’re a dedicated gym buff, but you need a new routine to replace the ones you’ve gotten tired of.

Either way, a new exercise routine is your ticket to a fitness goal you’ve set—and want to keep.

That’s why a new workout routine can also be one the most powerful expressions of self-care—focused simply on numbers of reps, and catalogs of personal achievement—to demonstrate to yourself that you’re capable of profound improvement. So, go ahead and change your days for the better. Here’s how to create a workout routine in four easy steps.

Step #1: Make the Time and Claim Your Space

Workout routines are like personal contracts you can make with yourself. And, as with any contract, they come with a couple of basic requirements you’re going to have to stick to if you want results. 

Even if you’re not yet sure of the specific results you want, understand that any fitness routine requires two commitments before you can even start:

1. Time
2. Space

Knowing how to start a workout routine relies heavily on these two elements—but don’t worry if they sound a little abstract. We’ll break it down below.

Time Is Precious, But Planning Can Help You Carve Some Out

Among your myriad obligations, it can seem impossible to fit a brand new exercise routine into your schedule if it’s not already there. But chances are, you already know you need to prioritize time for physical activity. If finding the time seems too daunting, pull out your planner and take stock of where your time tends to disappear:

• Study your schedule – Identify the appointments, meetings, games, and/or recitals you absolutely can’t miss. Make a list of these “must-dos” and any others that are inflexible.
• Identify your free time – Now, highlight the gaps in your schedule—lunch breaks, evenings, early mornings, or that sweet spot in the afternoon—and decide whether you can commit any of these to a regular workout routine. Then, decide how many workouts you can fit into a week—whether it’s three, four, five, or even seven—pick a time (or times), and add it to your calendar. Aim to commit to this workout schedule just as if they were one of those “must-do” appointments we mentioned above.
• Be patient with yourself – It’s important to keep sight of what you can realistically achieve in a day or in a week. If you can’t recruit help with time-consuming chores like  doing the dishes, laundry, or cleaning, or if other commitments fill too much of your space already, give yourself some grace. Study your schedule, take one step at a time, and be ready to forgive yourself if it takes some trial and error.

Stake a Claim to the Space You Need

Just as time is precious, let’s face it: space is limited. It’s constantly taken over, and you need to remember you have as strong a claim to that space—at the gym, for example—as anyone. Also remember that even if space is limited, you don’t have to restrict your workout routine to only one place.

Consider what parts of your new workout schedule can be done with an:

• At-home workout – Maybe you have an exercise mat, a treadmill, an elliptical, or weights of your own; an at-home workout can be both effective and convenient.
• Outside workout – While the great outdoors doesn’t always offer the equipment some routines need, they certainly open up the available space. Feel the beneficial effects of moving from point A to point B, breathe deeply in the fresh air, and take in the scenery—especially if you need a change of it.
• Gym workout – Those with more ambitious goals may also need more space (and gear) with which to accomplish them. With access to a variety of exercise equipment, a gym workout at places like Chuze Fitness offers a comprehensive array of resources to meet the goals you’ll set for yourself.