Guest Post: How To Find A New Workout Routine After You Move

Hey everyone!

I’m going to be quite busy moving for the next few days, so I have some great guest posts lined up for you! I hope you guys enjoy!

Hi Athlete’s Plate readers!

I’m Jess from JessRuns.com filling in for Matt while he’s in the middle of moving.

Moving from state to state isn’t fun or easy, and I remember how stressed I was when I moved from PA to DC three years ago.

Moving to a new place can seriously throw off your workout groove. All of a sudden you’re without a gym (and your favorite spin instructor), your favorite running routes are gone and you have no idea what roads are safe to bike on.

Plus you have to adjust to a new work schedule and try to figure out which times are the best to fit in your workouts.

It can be a little bit overwhelming.

I know when I moved, it took me a long time to find a routine that worked for me. As a female runner, I was overly cautious about running in my new ‘hood because I didn’t know how safe it was. I spent a lot of time on my fitness center’s treadmill, which while boring at least made me feel safe.

It took me almost a year to find a routine that I loved and I wanted to share some of the things I learned, so hopefully that when/if you move, you can adjust more quickly than I did.

Experiment with the best time of day to workout.

There are a lot of different factors that will impact what your new schedule will look like. What time do you have to be at the office? How long is your commute? Do you have the kind of job that is going to require you to stay late a lot? Take all of these things into consideration when you’re trying to set up your new routine. If you know you’re going to be spending a lot of late nights at the office, don’t plan your workouts for after work or you may be to exhausted to finish them. Instead experiment with morning or lunch time workouts.

Check for a fitness center or gym discounts.

Does your apartment complex or office have a fitness center that you can use? What about corporate discounts to a local gym? Make sure you check into these things before you sign a contract at a new gym. You may find that for now all you need is access to a some basic weights and cardio machines. If you have access to a fitness center, you might be able to put off signing up for a gym until you have time to closely look at all your options and can make the best decision.

Find a local running group or tri club.

You’re in a new area and you need to meet new people and learn where it’s safe to workout. Running or tri clubs are the perfect solution. Even if you can’t make it to group workouts because of your schedule, at least sign up to be on the listserv. You may find out about group workouts at different times or local races where you can meet people. Plus some running groups email the route in advance of the run, so if nothing else, you’ll get an idea of some good local routes you can try on your own.

Remember that it’s OK to fall off the wagon a bit.

Moving is stressful. Unpacking boxes is exhausting. It’s OK if you just want to lay low for a while until you settle in. There’s nothing wrong with taking some down time or skipping a few workouts. You don’t want to add more stress to your life because you’re worrying about a skipped workout. Give yourself time to settle in and then start building your new workout routine.

What tips do you have for setting up a new workout routine after a move?

Thanks Jess!

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