Exercising in Law School, Yes it is Possible

Make a Plan That is Easy to Follow

As it is with anything in law school, you have to make everything as simple as possible.  That includes your exercise routine.  Generally, if you focus on one part of the body for each workout, then it creates a goal that is easy to reach.  And it avoids you from getting discouraged.  It takes a person an average of 66 days to create a habit so, that just means you need to stay on top of it for a month and one week.  That doesn't sound so impossible, now does it?

Get Guidance if Needed

Most people have no clue what they are doing (and that still includes me) when they try to create workouts.  The best part is that there are many options here to learn more about how to move your body.  Some people prefer to use a face-to-face personal trainer that can guide them through the movements and teach them how to use machines.  Some people prefer to participate in group classes, which are available at almost every single gym.  Some people even prefer to use a workout app to guide them along the way at their own pace.  No matter what works for you, there is a multitude of options.

The one grave mistake that must be avoided is signing up for a membership to something like Pure Barre or Soul Cycle if you know that you will not keep up your commitment.  These memberships can be quite expensive and create a black hole in your wallet if a location is just a little bit too far to be convenient, or if you only have time in the early morning or late evening.

But before you pay for any membership, check with your school! Some schools offer free admission to their fitness centers if you are enrolled as either a part-time or full-time student. This could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run!

My Personal Favorite

(This is not a sponsorship or encouragement to use this service; I just find that it works best for me and my schedule.)

I use Sweat: Kayla Itsines' Bikini Body Fitness Workouts.  It is super convenient, and it comes on a multitude of platforms.  You can log on using your computer, or you can download the app.  I like to do the workouts in the middle of my living room with a workout playlist pumping through my Bluetooth speaker.  The workouts are 30 minutes long with 30 minutes of cool-down stretches.  Minimal equipment is required because most of the moves are body-weight focused.  To me, this means no travel time to the gym, little to no clean up, and I can get back to my assignments right away.

Accountability Buddies

I love having a workout buddy.  This year, I had a fellow friend that would always remind me the days that we promised to work out together during the week, and we would challenge each other to either make or find the best workout playlist of the week.  She lived within walking distance of my apartment, so we would go to my place after class and walk home.  Sometimes we even rinsed off real quick and studied together.  It made the workouts super fun, we could socially chat and take our minds off of school, and then get back to the grind.  Both of also appreciated the fact that we got some blood flowing before we sat back down.  We did it Elle Woods style.

Gym Fear

If you do choose to enroll in a gym program or some type of membership, just remember--no one is actually watching you.  Okay, the guy that keeps peeking over might be checking you out, but what's the harm if he ends up asking for your number?  A free coffee?  A nice meal?

Most of the other people at the gym are there for the exact same reason that you are--to have a fantastic workout before they have to face life again.  Do not be afraid of the "gym bros" or the people who like to watch themselves do reps in the mirror.  They are wrapped up in their own world anyway, and they are not paying you any attention.  The gym is actually a judgment free zone, so do not be afraid to step off of the treadmill and lift some weights.

You can do it!