Preparing your body for spring workouts
Mar 28, 2026, 1:08 PM
SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns are taking the opportunity to get out and exercise now that spring has sprung throughout the state. But first, it might be a good idea to prepare a bit before heading out to your favorite hiking trail.
Planet Fitness Personal Trainer Niles Drasites joined Midday with Maria Shilaos on Friday with some tips on how to get ready for those spring workouts.
Don’t feel like reading? Skip to 23 minutes and 40 seconds to listen as Midday with Maria Shilaos talks fitness with Drasites 👇
Spring workouts start at the gym
Drasites said it’s always a good idea to continue going to the gym during springtime in order to build up fitness first, and then transfer those skills to the outdoors.
“That way you can build a foundation for strength, balance, coordination,” Drasites said. “So that when you go outside to hike, to kayak, walk, whatever it is, you have that strength and mobility first.”
When it comes to beginners, Drasites said it’s important to take it slow and to think about going to a trainer for an assessment. An assessment will tell a trainer where a person is when it comes to fitness. From there, the trainer can work with a client to show them which exercises work for them and how to properly workout ahead of going outdoors.
Drasites added that everyone is different and it’s not just physical attributes that play a role in exercising. Work and personal fitness goals can play a part too.
Physical history is an important part of working out and Drasites said it’s a good idea to give a trainer knowledge of any injuries a you may have.
From there, a trainer can better focus on a person’s fitness goals.
“Take the first step”
Drasites said it’s normal for some people to be embarrassed when first going to the gym. He said it’s important to know no one is looking at you and they’re usually thinking about themselves.
“You might as well take the first step,” Drasites said. “That’s always the hardest, right? People always say it’s the hardest to come to the gym. Once you make that first step, we can work with you whether it’s myself, another coach at a different location, to get you squared away.”
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