6 Fitness Experts Share Their Favorite Ways to Practice Self-Care

“Self-care” is a term that’s often misunderstood — partly because there are so many ways to incorporate it into your life. Each of us may have different activities, regimens, or rituals that provide that feeling of caring for ourselves. But what if you haven’t yet found anything that feels right for you? Where do you start?

Therein lies the beauty of a wellness community: We can learn and find inspiration from each other by sharing ideas and offering suggestions that open the door to new possibilities.

With that in mind, we asked four of our group fitness performers at Life Time to share how they regularly practice self-care. We hope a few of them resonate with you.

Committing to 30-Day Challenges

— Jayme Zylstra, executive producer for digital fitness content at Life Time

At the beginning of every year, I set my intentions and create a vision board. This year, I decided to break my goals down into 30-day challenges, so I have a new goal to go after each month. I did this 10 years ago and thought, What a great time to bring it back!

For the month of January, for example, I completed a 5K every day. The hardest part was not the 5K itself, but rather that I aimed to do at least 15 of the days outside in the bitter cold of Minnesota!

Challenging myself to complete goals in this way motivates me to do things that are beneficial to my health (like more daily steps!), while also helping me feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Moving With Family

— David Freeman, CPT, CCP, PES, senior director of Alpha and cohost of the Life Time Talks podcast

I reaffirm my dedication to health and fitness every day by doing workouts alongside my family. My wife, Mechelle, is an Olympian and Olympic coach who also is very dedicated to movement and wellness, and we have two children, Bayne, 11, and Harley, 9. During the summer we work out in the early morning; during the school year we work out in the afternoons.

We often get after it in our garage gym, where my kids follow their sport-specific exercises while I do my own training nearby. It creates a shared energy and keeps us motivated. We also enjoy going to open turf fields together to dial in on areas the kids are developing to get them ready for game day. Sometimes, we also do full family workouts focusing on exercises that everyone can do, like bodyweight movements or speed and agility drills.

Even though we work out individually, being in the same space connects us. It’s less about doing the exact same thing and more about building consistency and elevating each other’s growth.

My commitment to movement remains central to my life. As a coach and mentor to other athletes, I often emphasize its importance not just for physical health, but also for creating connections and support. In my mind, there’s almost nothing better than strengthening the connections I have with my kids and my wife through movement. As a bonus, it’s helping my children build healthy habits too.

Making Time for Socialization

— Marcus Fitts, cycle instructor at Life Time Buckhead in Atlanta, Ga.

It’s easy to get caught up in my nonstop cycle of coaching, programming, and preparing for classes. But making time for friends and loved ones outside of the club is just as important as what I’m doing inside of it.

Whether it’s a casual dinner, game night, or an outdoor adventure, connecting with others socially recharges my spirit and reminds me that we’re more than just our profession. Surrounding myself with positive, uplifting people strengthens both my mental and emotional well-being.

Meditating Regularly

— Jayme Zylstra

Last year I began a journey of completing my 300-hour yoga teacher training, and part of those 300 hours was meditating for 60 minutes, three days a week. This turned out to be the greatest gift, the greatest learning, and the best opportunity to sit with myself and listen to my heart, my thoughts, and my feelings that came up.

I have now made it a practice and priority to meditate three times per week for 60 minutes each. When I do this, my thoughts become clearer, and my worries become less.

If you are just beginning your meditation journey, the Life Time app offers many meditations to choose from with various instructors, times, and focuses. I highly suggest checking it out and seeing how it can help you simply be.

Regular Recharging

— Danica Osborn, group instructor and coach at Life Time in Warrenville, Ill.

In the same way I recharge my phone, I need to recharge my own battery — that’s why I feel self-care is so important. One of my favorite ways to recharge is with a soak in my bathtub — doors locked, music on, drink poured, and mama is ‘off the clock’! I love sitting in there until my toes are wrinkly!

Expressing Gratitude

— Joshua Neal, studio leader at Life Time North Druid Hills in Atlanta, Ga.

Perhaps the most important part of my self-care practice is gratitude. I always start and end my day with gratitude — taking a moment to reflect on what I’m thankful for. It shifts my mindset to one of appreciation and positivity, helping me stay centered and resilient throughout the day.

Morning Movement

— Jayme Zylstra

I preach that movement is medicine, so working out five days a week is a nonnegotiable for me (seven days is a blessing!). I love to start my days with a minimum of 30 minutes of either cardio or strength-training workouts. Setting a shorter duration, like 30 minutes, makes my goal feel attainable — and if I do more, I feel as if I conquered more than I expected.

The on-demand and live-streaming classes have made it so incredibly easy for me to not miss a day. When I’m traveling or can’t make it to the club, I can still get the Life Time energy by going to the Life Time app and finding my favorite class or instructor.

Daily Walks

— Lindsay Payne, yoga boutique leader at Life Time in Edina, Minn.

I believe self-care is essential for living a vibrant life. One way I practice self-care is by enjoying long walks outdoors almost every day. It’s a great way to move my body, get fresh air, be in nature, and spend time with my dogs.

Caring for Skin and Hair

— Marcus Fitts

Constant movement, sweat, and exposure to different environments can take a toll on my skin and hair. A solid self-care routine in these areas isn’t about vanity: For me, it’s about feeling confident, staying healthy, and practicing self-respect.

I love indulging in a full, daily skincare routine. I exfoliate and cleanse, then apply toner, moisturizer, and SPF. Visiting an esthetician to get professional treatments tailored to my skin’s needs has also been a game-changer in maintaining my skin’s health and glow. Seeing my skin radiant and refreshed gives me a sense of confidence that I carry into every class I teach.

Haircare is just as, if not more, important to me. I visit the salon and barbershop weekly to maintain my hair’s health. I prefer to start with a hair appointment at the salon followed by a visit to the barbershop to complete my look. My regular haircare routine includes shampoo and conditioner; I typically choose a protective style (twist or braids) that lasts throughout the week. At the barbershop, I get both my hair and beard tended to, ensuring a sharp and polished appearance.

Switching up my hairstyle feels like putting on a brand-new outfit — it’s an instant confidence boost that leaves me feeling empowered.

Having a Workout Partner

— Joshua Neal

Physically, I take care of my body through teaching classes, which helps me stay active while also allowing me to inspire others to prioritize their fitness as well.

In addition to the connection and motivation I get through classes, I also have a workout buddy who motivates me to push myself and stay consistent. Working out together brings a sense of camaraderie, and it’s always more enjoyable to do with someone by my side.

Practicing Intentionality

— David Freeman

I find self-care can be activated through reflection and personal growth, so I take time to assess my experiences and challenges, allowing myself to learn from them.

For me, reflection is an intentional part of my daily routine, which starts with prayer and gratitude each morning. During this time, I center myself, express thanks for where I am, and reflect on what’s going well and where I can improve. It’s a moment to ground myself and align my focus for the day ahead.

I then take the insights from this reflection and translate them into purposeful action — whether that’s being more present with my family, leading with clarity to those I’m coaching in Alpha, or staying consistent in my personal and professional growth. It’s about starting the day with intention and carrying that energy forward.

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