Let’s be honest, working out doesn’t always come naturally, and we don’t always want to do it. It’s so much more comfortable to just curl up on the couch at the end of a long day with a good book.
Some days, we’re lacing up our sneakers with enthusiasm but other days coming out the couch will honestly win. But that’s totally normal! If you’re trying to be consistent in your fitness habits, finding motivation is half the battle.
A little secret for you: you don’t have to lean into motivation to get you going, it’s just a nice thing to have. You can feel completely unmotivated to workout but put it as part of your routine and you’ll be able to get stuck in.
The good news though, is that there are tons of fun and creative ways to inspire yourself to get off your behind and get moving. Even when your motivation is missing in action, you can start working out. Here are some tried and true tips that will get you wanting to workout, but you might actually start looking forward to it, so be ready for that!
- Consider group workouts. Bootcamp gyms are built for energy. If solo workouts aren’t cutting it for you anymore, then bootcamp gyms can be your new best friends. These high energy, group based workouts will combine cardio with strength training and motivation from trainers who actually make burpees feel bearable. OK, we may be lying about that part, but you’ll still enjoy yourself! Boot camp gyms are effective motivation because you sign up for a class and people expect you to show up. The atmosphere in the group is energetic and that energy is contagious, and you’ll want to drink from that contagion week on week. There is also more structure to a boot camp gym, so you can avoid standing around wondering what to do next.
- Go and buy yourself a workout wardrobe. Honestly – listen to what we just said, go shopping! It’s so much easier to get yourself into the gym or into your workout when you know you’re wearing the right clothing. You should never underestimate the power of shopping for yourself to get you motivated to move. When you feel good in your gear, you’re more likely to hit the workout rack. Or, you’ll at least show up for the workout video from YouTube. This is not about vanity, but about giving yourself that little boost that you need. Think of it like putting on a superhero costume, except that instead of fighting crime you’re smashing pushups and sweating through squats.
- Be social about it. It’s infinitely more fun to workout when you have someone to share it with. Whether you head over to those boot camp gyms to make a buddy or two, or you drag a friend along with you to the gym, having a pal along for the ride can make a big difference. You’re much less likely to cancel if you know that somebody else is relying on you to turn up. You get to celebrate each other’s progress, vent about the tougher workouts, and laugh your way through any awkward parts of a workout. When you go with somebody else, it’s a type of accountability to yourself and to them. If you can’t sync your schedules, having somebody helping you to maintain your accountability is better especially if you can text each other post workout selfies or share your playlists. They will egg you on from the sidelines and you’ll continue to go.
- Create an amazing workout playlist. Speaking of playlists, music is usually an instant motivator for people. A great playlist turns a sluggish jog into a dance party. You could even make a strength session feel like a movie montage. With the right beats and the right motivational music, you’ll be wanting to move and not want to sit still. You should search for workout playlists on Spotify or Apple Music for some inspiration because these can get you started. They are often curated to keep your energy up for a high intensity session, but from there, you can start building your own. You’ll be surprised how much further you can go when the beat is just right.
- Make it a game. If you thrive on challenges, turn your workout into a game. Play that zombie playlist on your Spotify which makes it sound like zombies are chasing you when you go for a run. Set a goal for a weekly workout and reward yourself when you hit it with new workout gear or a smoothie date with a friend. There are 30 day fitness challenges and fitness apps and smartwatches to close your rings or track your streaks and you can compete with friends on step counts. There are so many ways that you can make fitness more fun, and can make you feel more motivated to get going.
- Don’t always do the same workouts. Even the best of routines can become quite stale, but you don’t have to do the same workout every week. Boredom is motivation’s worst enemy and you need to keep your workouts fresh to keep yourself motivated. Try new classes at your local gym or go for a hike instead of the treadmill. You could also alternate strength and cardio days so that you’re mixing things up.
- Set a goal for yourself that goes beyond weight. Aesthetics and weight loss are valid goals, of course they are, but mental health is a bigger one. Aiming for goals that are rooted in your mental health and your strength and endurance can give you some confidence to keep going. Smaller goals such as running a 5K or doing 10 real push-ups without using your knees are the things that can give you bite sized goals to keep you moving forward.
- Remind yourself how amazing it feels after you’re done. You probably had 100 times that you’ll never regret a workout, and it’s almost always true. When motivation is low, remind yourself how you feel after the workout is done. Are your endorphins moving? Absolutely. Is your stress lowered? Yes. Is your confidence boosted? Yes. And all because you said yes to working out today.