By Chelsea Gloeckner OnMilwaukee contributor Published Dec 17, 2018 at 7:01 PM

2019 is only a few short weeks away! Each year, most of us wake up on January 1 with some pretty hefty resolutions. We want to lose weight, be more productive at work, read more, eat healthier ... but somewhere mid-January, we totally fall off the bandwagon.  

Sound familiar?

But what if there was one small habit you could do now so you wouldn’t need a New Year’s resolution? A habit that could make other good habits fall into place?

Habits that lead to other good habits and positive side effects are called "keystone habits." A keystone habit is the first domino that makes all the other dominos fall into place. Here are a few examples:

  • Exercising for 20-30 minutes regularly
  • Practicing daily gratitude 
  • Journaling daily
  • Reading for 30 minutes
  • Making the bed each morning
  • Eating a healthy breakfast

My personal keystone habit: exercising in the morning for at least 20 minutes. When I take that short amount of time to move and sweat, my whole day seems to fall into place. I want to eat healthy, I have clarity and focus to be efficient with my work, and I simply feel better.  

If exercising in the morning sets you up for success, then Milwaukeeans, you’re in the right place. We’ve got gyms and studios and exercise classes for everyone!  Here are eight to try now:

Spire (102 N. Water St.)

Located in the Third Ward, Spire offers indoor cycling, rowing and TRX classes. Be ready to sweat!

Healium Hot Yoga (2534 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.)

Healium Hot Yoga offers yoga classes, from Vinyasa to Yin Yoga to power hours, to all levels of yogis. The creative sequencing and fun music is not to be missed!  Healium also offers classes ranging from hot to gently heated to not heated, so there is something for everyone.

Invivo (2060 N. Humboldt Ave.)

Enjoy Milwaukee River views while working out at Invivo, which offers cardio and strength equipment, cardio classes, strength classes and yoga classes. Bonus: The locker rooms have Swedish saunas!

Urban Om (2410 N. Farwell Ave.)  

Urban Om has true Milwaukee pride, where the mission is to serve and support the community of Milwaukee. Located on the East Side, Urban Om offers numerous yoga classes, from Yin Yoga and slow flows to power yoga and a Power happy hour on Friday evenings.

Shred415 (2165 N. Prospect Ave.)

Four 15-minute strength and treadmill intervals makes up each Shred415 class. High-intensity interval training at its best, Shred415 even offers childcare so you can fit your fitness into your busy schedule.

Orangetheory (4155 N. Oakland Ave.)

Orangetheory classes are 60 minutes of cardio and strength intervals. The treadmill, bike and rower is used for cardio intervals, while floor work includes strength training using benches, free weights and TRX. Locations in the Third Ward, MequonDelafield, Wauwatosa and Brookfield, too. 

Yama Yoga (231 E. Buffalo St., 2nd floor)

Located in the heart of the Third Ward, Yama Yoga has something for everyone, from refreshing morning classes to noon express classes for busy professionals and exhilarating weekend classes. Yama even offers private classes, workshops, yoga parties and corporate packages.

Barre Code (225 N. Water St.)

Barre Code is designed to offer women full-body workouts to challenge both the mind and body. Barre Code offers not only barre classes, but also cardio kickboxing and "BarRestore," which combines isometric holds and dynamic movements.  

Looking for more fitness studios in Milwaukee? ClassPass offers a great glimpse of what Milwaukee has to offer.

Chelsea Gloeckner OnMilwaukee contributor

Chelsea Gloeckner, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian and the founder of VICTAE, a nutrition coaching business helping athletes and professionals reach their dreams and goals through practical and proper fueling.

In her life and here content, Chelsea combines her love of nutrition, science, and food to provide a fresh perspective on how to live a full and vibrant life.