Moving to a new city and establishing new routines can be daunting, and this is especially true when trying to establish a new and consistent fitness routine while navigating so much change.
After successfully creating a maintainable workout schedule for myself at the start of my summer internship, my top three tips for quickly creating a fitness routine in a new city are:
- Start searching for fitness communities early and take advantage of free or low-cost options.
- Find a community that you connect with and stick to it.
- Do not underestimate the value of walking.
I thrive in a gym community because it balances accountability with support. I knew I wanted to find somewhere that offered classes, but I was quickly overwhelmed by the many options available. I began searching for a fitness community by using the app “Class Pass,” which offers a two-week free trial to take fitness classes at participating gyms. My first free class was at SoulCycle. I had a great experience and knew I wanted to continue incorporating cycling into my workouts, but this gym was too far from my apartment. I continued using Class Pass until I finally found Hustle, which I loved so much that I purchased a membership there!
This brings me to my second point – you must find a place that you thrive in and genuinely want to keep going back to. Hustle is the perfect community for me because of the personable instructors, the great community of people, and the style of exercise classes that they offer. I would encourage anyone looking for a fitness community to keep searching until they find the right place for them because it truly makes all the difference in staying consistent and making healthy choices. I work out at Hustle about five days a week, and I am always eager to go back for my next class.
Finally, always remember that you can stay active simply by walking. Trust me, you will get plenty of steps while living in DC, and the same can be said for just about any major city. Incorporating extra walking into your day is a great way to establish a solid fitness routine while also decompressing after work. I have found multiple walking trails near my apartment that I routinely visit, including my favorite, Long Bridge Park, which offers a great view of the Washington Monument and DC skyline.
I was worried that I would struggle to prioritize staying physically healthy while busy with my internship. However, following the tips I outlined above, I have found a community that I love and stayed active in ways that I enjoy. Will you follow any of these tips?
Hailey Luensmann '26
The Grober Group
Washington, D.C. | summer 2024