When the sun starts to set a bit earlier and the air turns cooler, many of us feel a dip in our energy — and our mood can follow suit. The transition into the fall and winter months can sometimes bring a sense of sluggishness or seasonal blues, but shorter days don’t have to lead to a darker outlook.
To help you feel energized even when daylight is in short supply, we asked several Life Time performers in New York City how they stay uplifted during the cooler months, both at Life Time and through using the Life Time app.
Shelby Hicks
On-demand performer in the Life Time app and group fitness instructor at Life Time in New York City
When it gets a little colder outside, I love to go to the club, take a class, and then sit in the sauna and listen to a guided meditation. I always walk out feeling invigorated and refreshed.
I’m also a big podcast listener, so I love to get out and walk [while wearing] my weighted vest — even when it’s cold! The Life Time app has so many great Life Time Talks podcast episodes about health, longevity, and more. I learn a lot, which helps me feel productive.
Kenny Ferrer
On-demand performer and meditation teacher in the Life Time app and mindful movement, yoga, and meditation teacher at Life Time PENN, Life Time One Wall Street and Life Time 23rd Street in New York City
The 10-minute “Core With Mary” on-demand class in the Life Time app is one of my go-tos when I need a quick boost. It’s a short workout that focuses on rotational movements. I just love Mary Onyango, and so much of her personality comes through during this short class. It makes me feel good to watch her thrive, and it’s an excellent workout! It’s the perfect pick-me-up before going on with the rest of my day.
Mary Onyango
On-demand performer in the Life Time app and five-star ELI group fitness instructor at Life Time One Wall Street, Life Time Dumbo, Life Time Atlantic Avenue, and Life Time PENN 1 in New York City
When the days get shorter and darker, I start to focus more on recovery. When the weather is colder, I notice that my body and muscles can be more tense, and my joints start to hurt. So, before I teach a class, I go to the LT Recovery space and grab a foam roller or spend time in the massage chairs. And then once a week, I like to get a massage at the LifeSpa to relax my body even more.
My favorite mood-boosting activity in the Life Time app is doing a guided meditation. It’s hard for me to focus on meditating by myself, so I need a bit of guidance, and I’ve found that the Life Time app has so many good options. “State of Calm with Tory” is definitely one of my favorites.
Nick Davis
On-demand performer in the Life Time app and group instructor at Life Time Sky (Manhattan) in New York City
My go-to fall and winter activity at Life Time is using the sauna and cold plunge for contrast therapy. Since I don’t get to spend time outside at the pool during these seasons, this is my way to relax and recover. I find it gives me a mental boost as well.
It’s also social for me — I get together with friends and fellow Life Time team members so we can support each other in our recovery goals.
My favorite feel-good activity in the Life Time app is taking our on-demand stretching classes. It’s very cozy in the winter to light a candle and do a calming, grounding stretching sequence. I especially like to do “MB360 Evening Cool Down with Jessie.”
Bradford Stevens
On-demand performer in the Life Time app and group fitness instructor at Life Time Bryant Park in New York City
I love fall and winter, and when these seasons arrive, group fitness classes are my go-to! When the weather gets a little bit cold and there’s more darkness, you might need that extra push from a community to get your workout in.
Within the Life Time app, I love listening to the Life Time Talks podcast. It’s a great way to get going in the morning with a boost of learning and inspiration.
Saya Tomioka
On-demand performer and yoga and Pilates instructor at Life Time Sky (Manhattan) in New York City
A CTR class is always a mood booster for me! I love to hop on the reformer machine and experience such a unique workout. It’s driven by the rhythm of the music and leaves me feeling empowered at the end of class.
On the Life Time app, I love to take any class that involves dance or high-energy music. It gets me up and moving! Try “Dance and Tone with Jeimy” — it’s so fun, and she’ll get you pumped right up!
Austin Head
On-demand performer in the Life Time app and five-star ELI group fitness instructor at Life Time Dumbo, Life Time Atlantic Avenue, and Life Time Sky (Manhattan) in New York City
My go-to mood booster is the community at Life Time. We’ve built such an incredible community here and it puts me in a great mood just being around my friends and colleagues, teaching classes, participating in events and activities, and planning fun themed classes and events for holidays. I really lean on this community to stay uplifted as the seasons change!
If I need a pick-me-up outside of the club, I love to do a 20-minute MB360 on-demand class in the Life Time app. The movement really helps me access my joy.
Jessie Syfko
On-demand performer in the Life Time app and senior vice president of Life Time Digital
There’s nothing that makes me giggle more or have more fun than getting on the pickleball court with friends. It brings out my inner competitive athlete and is such a mood-booster.
My favorite uplifting activity in the Life Time app is our guided meditation or breathwork sessions. The guided meditations really help me feel grounded and more whole so I can be a better version of myself when I take that step forward into the next part of my day.
Joseph David
On-demand performer in the Life Time app and five-star ELI group fitness instructor at Life Time Dumbo in New York City and Life Time in Florham Park, N.J.
My go-to mood-boosting activity at Life Time is the party we always have after my classes. Community is everything, and after class I love engaging with our members and celebrating the hard work and fun we experienced during class.
Breanna Cummings
On-demand performer in the Life Time app and five-star ELI group fitness instructor at Life Time One Wall Street in New York City
Every time I book a session in the LT Recovery space, my mood instantly lifts. When I first tried the HydroMassage lounge chairs and Normatec compression sleeves, I was hooked. These are two perfect ways to relax both my muscles and my mind.
