Spring Cleaning for Your Fitness Routine: Embracing New Beginnings

By Liz Fichtner

Spring is a time of renewal—a season that invites fresh starts and new growth. I’m reminded of this every year, but one moment stands out in particular. When my daughter went through a heartbreaking breakup with her longtime boyfriend, my mother offered a simple yet profound piece of advice: “Spring is a great time for new beginnings.” True to form, as mothers so often are, she was right. That season marked a turning point, proving that change—no matter how difficult—can bring about something beautiful.

Just as we welcome new chapters in our personal lives, spring offers a perfect opportunity to refresh our approach to health and fitness. As a group fitness instructor, I thrive on energy, variety, and community. But even I find myself needing a reset from time to time! This year, I decided to shake things up and challenge myself in a whole new way—I started boxing lessons with a personal trainer. It’s been humbling, exhilarating, and exactly the kind of fresh start I needed.

How to Spring Clean Your Fitness Routine

If you’re feeling stuck in a rut or just looking for ways to infuse new energy into your workouts, here are some simple ways to refresh your fitness routine this season:

Reassess Your Gym Membership – Take a fresh look at your current workouts. Are they still aligned with your goals? Many gyms update their class offerings in the spring—this is a great time to try something new! If you’ve never taken a group fitness class, give it a shot. The energy and accountability of working out with others can be a game-changer.

Shake Up Your Weekly Routine – Swap out repetitive workouts for trying seasonal activities like outdoor boot camps, group hikes, or yoga in the park. Or, like me, try something totally outside your comfort zone—boxing has challenged me in ways I never expected, and I love it!

Set New Fitness Challenges – Use the positive energy of spring to set small, achievable goals. Whether it’s increasing strength, improving endurance, or simply showing up consistently, small wins lead to big results. My personal goal? To develop better boxing footwork and build endurance in a way that complements my group fitness training. It doesn’t hurt to kick a little butt sometime.

Reconnect with Your Workout Community – Spring is a social season! Join a new class, find a fitness accountability partner, or sign up for a local event to stay motivated and inspired. As an instructor, I see firsthand how community support can transform a workout from a chore into something people genuinely look forward to and love.

Whether you’re a seasoned gym-goer or just beginning your fitness journey, these small changes can help you cultivate a more energized and balanced lifestyle. Let’s make this spring a season of growth—not just in nature, but in our personal wellness too!

And as for my daughter? That heartbroken year, she went off to college with lots of sniffles and Kleenex in hand. She met her true love, is now happily married with two children—one of whom will soon be pursuing his own college goals. Thank goodness for breakups and new beginnings. You just never know what’s waiting around the corner.

Let’s go, spring! I’m ready to grow, embrace new beginnings, and see what you have in store for me!                              

Liz Fichtner is a Group Fitness Manager with Crunch Fitness.

Crunch promotes a culture of positivity, inclusivity, and fun with no judgments by providing an environment for all individuals regardless of their health and fitness goals. Find a Crunch gym near you to try our free trial membership, or join Crunch now. We’re here for you – at the gym or at home. Access the best live & on-demand workouts anytime, anywhere with Crunch+. Ready to get sweaty? Try hundreds of workouts for free!Start your free trial now!