Find a Fitness Routine You’ll Actually Keep
- Max McCrory
- 22 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Building a fitness routine is a goal many people make as part of their New Year’s resolutions, but oftentimes they abandon this goal by the time the calendar flips to February. The best way to avoid this and to stay consistent is finding a workout you enjoy and that works for your body. Experts shared their best tips on how to achieve this in your daily life.
Many people don’t know where to start when beginning to build a workout routine. Experts agreed you need to ask yourself a few questions first, such as: Why am I doing this? What type of movement do I enjoy? What is my current fitness level? Do I have any physical limitations? How many days can I realistically commit to working out? What does progress look like for me? The more honest you are with yourself, the more effective your workout will be.
After answering these questions, your next step is to just get started. If you’re not sure what type of movement you enjoy, then try everything that sounds remotely interesting to you.
“The best way to find a workout you enjoy is to try different things. Many gyms and studios offer free trial classes or discounted introductory packages, which make it easy to explore new options without a long-term commitment. Working out with a friend can also make new activities less intimidating and more enjoyable. Ultimately, you won’t know what you enjoy until you give it a chance,” said Ashley McKee, ACSM exercise physiologist and registered nurse at UPMC Shadyside.
Michael Shipper, owner of Fitness 4 Focus North Hills, seconded this.
“Enjoyment often comes from feeling capable, and that usually starts with a workout style that matches your personality. Trying different approaches such as strength circuits, mobility sessions, light cardio, group classes, or recreational sports can help you see what feels energizing rather than draining. That is usually the best sign of what you will stick with long term.”
Once you figure out what you enjoy, the next key is creating the perfect balance of workouts. Shipper suggested mixing up your routine to keep it interesting and to work different sections of your body.
“I think of it as a weekly rhythm rather than a strict formula. Strength training two or three days a week supports muscle development. Cardio once or twice a week helps with endurance and energy. Mobility work can be done daily, even in short sessions, and flexibility can be added once or twice a week if someone enjoys stretching. This balanced approach supports long-term health and keeps the body feeling strong and capable without becoming overwhelming,” he said.
Rachel Berry, owner of Steel City Fortitude Fitness, said her recommendation is to strength train twice per week and do 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week. She said these strength and cardio sessions can be combined if you’re running short on days that you’re able to work out. She stressed the importance of listening to your body and giving it one to two rest days a week.
Another factor in a workout routine is consistency. This is typically where many people struggle. You need to be realistic, according to Berry. You don’t want to set goals that you won’t be able to keep. You’d be setting yourself up for failure before you’ve started.
Both Berry and McKee suggested using the S.M.A.R.T. method for setting goals.
“When setting a goal, make them S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). Instead of setting a goal ‘I want to lose weight,’ make it ‘I want to lose 5 pounds by March 22, 2026, by following a strength training routine two times per week.’ Now you have something to follow to achieve the goal,” said Berry.
Berry continued, “The S.M.A.R.T. goals can help people stay consistent with their routine. Add the workouts into your calendar like a work meeting you would not miss. Hire a personal trainer if you need that accountability to stay consistent. Hiring a trainer can be an investment, but an investment in your health is important. You only get one body.”
Erin Snatchko, lead instructor at CycleBar Robinson, agreed with Berry about being honest with yourself regarding your fitness routine and goals, especially when you’re just starting out.
“Start small and be kind. You are new, so treat yourself like it — don’t set lofty goals and expectations on day one. Remember your first day of school or a new job: You didn’t take a test or get a performance review that day, so don’t put pressure to do it in your fitness routine either.”
Snatchko said she used to dread cardio before she found CycleBar. The great music and team atmosphere made her forget she was doing cardio when she first started. She believes it’s a great workout for beginners, because “It takes all the basic principles of HIIT but allows you to still go at your own pace when needed.”
All of these experts believe that workout routines can be fun and don’t need to be complicated to work.
“Choosing a routine that fits your actual life is key. Workouts should be simple, manageable, and something you can follow even on busy weeks. Enjoyment makes a big difference. When you genuinely like what you are doing, consistency becomes much easier,” said Shipper.
Once you figure out how to fold movement into your everyday life, not only will your physical health improve, your mental health will too.
“You might notice that daily movement feels easier, strength is increasing, posture is improving, and you are recovering faster. People often feel more energized and confident, and they start showing up more consistently. Workouts begin to feel more manageable and sometimes even enjoyable. These are all strong signs that your routine is moving in the right direction,” said Shipper.
“Research consistently shows that regular physical activity can improve cardiovascular health, maintain muscle and bone strength, reduce stress, and lower the risk of chronic diseases. Staying active is one of the most effective ways to invest in long-term health,” said McKee.
“I think happiness is the best cue that a routine is actually working. If you just kind of wake up four weeks later and are doing this routine like it’s been part of your life forever, then there is no way you don’t also feel those benefits in your mental state. Sometimes you start for other physical goals, but when you feel good, everything else gets better, too. Your outlook on yourself and your abilities will change, you will start trying new things in other avenues of your life, and people will start turning to you to ask, ‘How can I get started?’” said Snatchko.