Without the right workout motivation, it might be more tempting to stay on the couch and watch TV than get up and get moving. For various reasons, it can be hard to get motivated to exercise. Whether you’re fatigued, get bored easily with your workouts, or you feel like you’ve lost momentum, exercise might be the furthest thing from your mind.
However, consistency is key – and you are likely to feel a lot more rejuvenated and accomplished after you finish a workout. Here are some simple workout motivation tips to help you get moving, even when you don’t want to.
Workout Motivation Tips
Integrate Interval Training: Interval training alternates short, high-intensity bursts of activity with periods of rest and recovery in between. It helps keep an otherwise long and monotonous workout more fun and engaging. For example, you can incorporate interval training into a regular power walk by picking up your speed to a brisk walk or jog for five minutes, then walking at a regular pace for 10 minutes before starting again.
Update Your Music Playlist: A motivating playlist can boost your energy and confidence and make an otherwise boring workout a lot more fun. Try picking 10-15 new songs for your playlist that have a steady or fast pace. Pulling from different genres can help keep your playlist fresh, diverse and entertaining.
Break Down Your Workout Goal: What is your long-term goal for exercising? Maybe it’s to lose weight, gain energy or meet a fitness challenge. Whatever it is, chopping your long-term goal into smaller goals can fuel your momentum. Turn your focus to achieving a greater number of smaller victories such as increasing the duration of your workout or increasing your endurance. These smaller victories add up!
Enlist the Company of Others: Exercising in the company of others is motivating and it can help keep you accountable. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still encouraging us to remain socially distant, there are ways to do this with other people at your side. For starters, try virtual group workouts using FaceTime or Zoom. Some gyms are even offering virtual group classes to members in the pandemic. Call up a friend while taking a long walk. Take your family to a nature park or get your neighbors involved in socially distant outdoor meetups where you can do group walks or group circuit training.
Be Flexible: Sometimes our mindset is our biggest downfall. Don’t feel like you have to hold yourself to a specific workout regimen to see results. If life gets in the way, own this and embrace it. Get to exercising again when you have some time, or schedule dedicated workout time in place of something else that is also flexible. Consistency IS key, but you don’t have to hold yourself to unrealistic expectations.
Share Your Insight
What do you do to get motivated to exercise? Share in the comments below and maybe you will encourage someone else to find more time for movement.
