Spring is on its way, so let’s talk about “spring cleaning” for fitness.

I’ve got three small things you can do to freshen up your workout wear—and yourself—as the warmer months arrive.

Check Your Shoes

People often run outside more as the weather improves, but it’s worth inspecting your shoes even if you aren’t a runner.

Various websites suggest you replace running shoes annually or after 250-500 miles of running. If you don’t run, you can evaluate your workout shoes the same way runners review their footwear.

Are the sides and uppers ragged and torn? Are the interiors frayed—and do the shoes have “that smell” that never goes away? Is the tread on the bottom of the shoe severely worn or completely gone? Do the shoes “sit funny,” when you set them on the floor, indicating they’ve taken a real beating?

Do they feel hard and compressed rather than soft and comfortable? Are you getting blisters or other foot issues?

If you answer “yes” to one or more of these questions, treat yourself to some new shoes.

Check Your Clothes

Here’s a touchy subject perfect for a newsletter: Sometimes old workout clothes smell bad. You don’t notice, but other people do.

No one wants to have an embarrassing conversation, so do a “self-check”: Give your workout wear a thorough sniffing. Pay particular attention to synthetic fabrics and performance clothing. These items tend to hold onto smells because bacteria grow particularly well in synthetic materials.

Are the clothes holding onto odors even after washing? Do they get really funky once you start moving?

Sometimes we can’t “smell our own brand,” so feel free to ask a trusted partner, friend or coach for some judgement-free, helpful feedback: “Does my shirt smell?”

You can try at-home treatments to refresh the garments: Realsimple.com has one odor-busting plan, and you can find others online. But if your clothes just don’t smell clean after treatment, replace them.

Check Yourself

Body odor: We’ll cover this one here, too.

I’m not saying sweat during hard work isn’t acceptable. We’ve all had a few days where we could smell better. But every once in a while, things go a bit too far and members get uncomfortable with particularly foul odors on a recurring basis.

To avoid any awkward conversations—no one wants to embarrass anyone—review your grooming ritual and feel free to ask a trusted person, “Do I smell bad?”

Showering regularly is a good idea—once a day is a good starting point. Pay particular attention to the areas that tend to get a lot of sweat but not a lot of air flow. You know the ones!

Deodorant works wonders, too. Use some after a shower or at the beginning of every day, and don’t hesitate to reapply deodorant or body spray as needed or if you’re hitting a workout late in the day.

Ready for Spring Workouts!

This stuff might seem like common sense, but it’s worth mentioning because we want everyone to be comfortable and happy in the gym.

And when it comes to footwear, you’ll be much less likely to get injured if you upgrade your old kicks.

I hope this message helps you get ready for spring!

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or want to talk about your fitness goals.

-Coach Brandon