Ditch the Guesswork: How to Build a Workout Routine That Actually Fits Your Life
By Brooke — Your gym bestie who actually shows up at 5am. Will make you love leg day. ·
Let’s Stop Pretending We’re All Professional Athletes
Hey friends! If you’ve been scrolling through my feed lately, you know I’m all about that 5:00 AM life. But let’s be real for a second—I wasn’t always this person. Back when I was struggling through my teens, I used to think a “workout routine” meant punishing myself for an hour because I felt anxious or out of control. I thought if I wasn't drenched in sweat and hating every second, I wasn’t doing it right.
Now that I’m 23 and training clients full-time here in Scottsdale, I see so many of you falling into that same trap. You download a generic PDF, try to follow a pro bodybuilder’s split, and then get discouraged when you can’t keep it up for more than two weeks. Newsflash: You aren’t failing; your routine just doesn’t fit your actual life. Let’s fix that.
The “Life-First” Approach to Programming
When I’m building a plan for my online coaching clients, the first thing I ask isn’t “What’s your max squat?” It’s “What does your Tuesday look like?”
If you have a high-stress job, two kids, or a commute that drains your soul, you cannot—and should not—be doing six days of high-intensity training. Your workout routine needs to be the thing that feeds your battery, not the thing that drains it completely. If you’re constantly exhausted, we need to talk about recovery, not more volume.
Step 1: The Non-Negotiable Minimum
I want you to look at your calendar and find the absolute minimum amount of time you can guarantee. For some of you, it’s 20 minutes. For others, it’s 45. Whatever that number is, that is your baseline. If you schedule three 45-minute sessions a week and actually hit them, that is a massive win. Consistency beats intensity every single time. It’s better to do three solid, focused sessions a week for a year than to do six “perfect” sessions for three weeks before burning out.
Step 2: Stop Overcomplicating the Movement Patterns
You don’t need a complicated routine to see results. I tell my clients this all the time: If you master the foundational patterns, you’re already ahead of 90% of the gym.
Focus your sessions around these six movements: 1. Squat (Goblet squats, front squats, or even sit-to-stands if you’re starting out) 2. Hinge (Kettlebell swings or Romanian deadlifts) 3. Push (Overhead press or push-ups) 4. Pull (Lat pulldowns or dumbbell rows) 5. Carry (Farmer’s carries—trust me, these are the secret to a strong core) 6. Lunge/Split Squat (Yes, I’m making you do leg day, and yes, you’ll thank me later!)
Pick one of each, do 3 sets of 8–12 reps, and call it a day. That’s it. That’s the magic formula. It’s not about how many different machines you touch; it’s about how much effort you put into the movements that actually matter.
Step 3: Progressive Overload (The “Slow and Steady” Secret)
This is where most people get stuck. They do the same weight for the same reps for six months and wonder why their body isn’t changing. To see progress, we have to challenge our muscles. But you don’t have to jump from 10lbs to 50lbs overnight.
Keep a simple notebook or a notes app on your phone. Record your weights. Next week, try to add two pounds, or do one extra rep, or just focus on slowing down the tempo of your movement. If you improve just a tiny bit every single week, you’ll be a completely different person by this time next year. That progress is addictive, and it’s way more sustainable than trying to hit a PR every time you walk through those gym doors.
Why We’re Doing This
I’m not obsessed with the gym because I want to look a certain way. I’m obsessed because lifting heavy things taught me that I can handle hard things. When I was younger and dealing with anxiety, the gym was the one place where I felt in control of my own body.
When you build a routine that works with your life instead of against it, you stop viewing exercise as a chore. You start viewing it as an investment. You’re showing up for yourself, proving that you’re reliable, and building a version of yourself that feels capable and strong. That energy spills over into your job, your relationships, and your mental health.
Ready to Get Started?
Listen, I know the hardest part is just starting. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the noise on social media, just breathe. Start small. Pick two days this week where you’re going to show up for 30 minutes. Do a few squats, a few rows, and a few lunges. That’s it. You’re already doing more than you were yesterday.
I’m curious—what’s the one thing that usually makes you quit a routine? Is it boredom, time, or maybe just feeling like you don’t know what you’re doing? Drop a comment below or shoot me a DM. I’m always hanging out in my inbox, and I’d love to help you tweak your plan so you actually enjoy it. Let’s get after it, bestie!