Even the most dedicated gym athletes struggle to keep their motivation levels high. If you feel like your gym workout is going downhill, try some of these motivation hacks to kickstart your exercise habits again:
Take a moment to reflect on why you initially began exercising at a gym, such as gym Kirkland. Revisit your fitness goals and acknowledge the progress you have made thus far.
Set Goals
Having an end goal in mind, whether losing weight, building muscle, or just feeling good, can make it much easier to stick with your gym routine. It’s also helpful to remember why you started your fitness journey in the first place.
Rewarding yourself can also be a great way to stay motivated, whether a new workout outfit, pedicure, or movie rental once you hit your gym visit goals. Just be sure to reward yourself for your gym-related actions so that it doesn’t become a slippery slope back into unhealthy habits.
Another great way to keep yourself motivated is to find a workout buddy or group and commit to meeting them at the gym at the same time each week. This will help keep you accountable and makes it more fun!
Make a Schedule
It’s easy to see why working out can feel like a chore when you have other things on your plate. Whether it’s Netflix, dinner plans, or a meeting with your boss, making excuses to skip gym time is common.
But with a little planning, you can keep up your workout schedule even when other things are calling. Start by creating a calendar or using your Fitbit to mark your days. This will help you stay on track and show your progress over time.
You can also make a workout buddy to help you stay on track. If that’s not possible, at least make your appointment at a time when there are few other distractions. And don’t leave your workout clothes in the closet – they will be far more likely to get worn if you have them with you.
Make It Fun
Putting together an exercise plan that you enjoy is essential. If you dread your workout, keeping going for the long haul is impossible.
Experimenting with different activities and equipment can help you find what motivates you. It’s also a good idea to vary your workout routine throughout the week so that you aren’t working out every day, which can cause burnout.
Another way to make workouts more fun is to exercise with a friend. It’s easier to hold yourself accountable when you’re paired up with someone else. You can also try group fitness classes that are both motivating and fun. Finally, setting up rewards for yourself can work as a great incentive. This could be a new nail polish, movie rental, or food treat that you will give yourself only after meeting your gym visit goals.
Don’t Skip It
There are many reasons why skipping a gym session might feel like the right thing to do, and it’s important to recognize that. It may be because you’re tired from a bad night’s sleep, rushed with work, or feel drained by life.
Exercise is hard and can take a lot of energy, so it’s no wonder that sometimes you might not feel up to it. But that’s not a good excuse to skip the gym.
If your workout routine is getting stale, try mixing things up to keep yourself engaged and motivated. For example, change your classes and use different fitness machines to get cardio and strength training. Consider finding a partner to work out with, as they can hold you accountable and help keep you going when your motivation is low.
Go Early
Keeping up with workouts can take a lot of work. It’s easy to hit a wall regarding gym motivation, side-eyeing your workout gear, or making excuses about not wanting to go.
To avoid this, try to get in the habit of going to the gym as soon as you finish work. This way, you can be done with it and on your way home before you start to sabotage yourself with the things that will make you want to skip workouts (like extra cozy blankets or new episodes of that show you’ve been binging).
Also, reward yourself for regularly going to the gym. This could be as simple as getting a manicure or facial once in a while or agreeing that you will treat yourself after reaching a certain number of workout sessions over a specific period.
