If we had to come up with a list of the questions we hear most as personal trainers, “how do I keep up my motivation to go to the gym” would probably be at the top. (This is groundbreaking news, we’re sure.)
But in all seriousness, it’s a great question.
We’ve all been there at some point: we know we should go work out and take care of ourselves. But there’s a bag of chips in the kitchen and that new Netflix original is calling our name.
So, how do we get past that?
The short answer: we don’t, really. You’ll hear this a lot from fitness professionals. Working out on a regular basis is more about building a habit than it is about motivation (we’ll talk about that later).
However, there are some things you can do to help yourself stay focused so you can push past that mental resistance (which, from the outside, can look a whole lot like motivation. Crazy, right?).
Set Yourself Up For Success By Going Beyond Your Goals
In the fitness industry, we love to talk about your personal goals. As personal trainers, your goals and desires are essential to our work. We can’t build customized plans for you without them!
But when you’re having an off day, you’ll probably find that those goals aren’t quite enough to keep you motivated. Who cares about doing 50 push-ups when you just got off work and you’re tired and moody, and you want to crawl under your blankets for the next 12 hours?
That’s why you need to know your why.
Why did you set the goals that you did?
Do you want to keep up with your kids or grandkids? Are you looking to recover from an injury? Do you just want to build up strength and mobility so you can lead a more active lifestyle?
Whatever it is, knowing your why is the first step in changing from an “I have to…” to an “I want to, because…” mindset. When it comes to keeping your motivation to go to the gym, you can think of this as your foundation. Everything starts here.
Schedule Regular Gym Dates With Yourself
Have you ever heard the phrase, “If it’s important to you, you’ll make time for it”? Going to the gym is no exception.
And while it might be one of the most annoying phrases known to humanity… it’s also true.
If you think about it, how much time do you spend watching TV, scrolling through social media, or browsing YouTube every day? If you’re like 90% of the population (not an official statistic), chances are, the answer is a lot. Maybe even an hour or more.
Which, coincidentally, is probably the time it would take you to drive to your gym and get in a solid workout.
Now, we’re not saying you have to give up your time-wasting habit of choice (we all need those), but carving out some time to go to the gym at the same time every day takes the mental stress out of deciding when to go.
Just like knowing your why builds up a solid foundation, learning how to deal with mental blocks (i.e. excuses) removes a lot of the barriers you might be running up against.
Keep Your Motivation to Go to the Gym by Switching Things Up
Maybe you’ve been going to the gym for a while. You enjoy your routine and you’ve never had a problem going before. But suddenly, you hit a wall.
This can happen to anyone, whether you’ve been working out for a few months or several years. Sometimes, it’s a result of boredom (our brains crave novelty, after all). But it can also be your body’s way of telling you that it needs a break from the norm.
If you’ve been an avid user of dumbbells and racked weights, try calisthenics or switch to machines. Alternatively, you can give your muscles a brief break by going for yoga, pilates, or something else low-impact. On the other hand, if you’ve been a lifelong yogi, why not try weightlifting?
Sometimes a lack of motivation to go to the gym can be cured by making small changes or trying things that are outside your comfort zone.
Build Habits That Will Power You Through
And here it is. The real trick to going to the gym on a regular basis.
Yes, motivation is a thing. And in the beginning, it can be the exact push you need to start working out in the first place.
But motivation is also fickle. It doesn’t like to hang around and, most of the time, it doesn’t last long.
The steps before this weren’t really about helping you keep your motivation to go to the gym… they’re meant to get you to a place where you don’t need the motivation.
If you know your why, schedule regular workouts, and stay open to new experiences, you can build up a habit that will carry you through those days when you just don’t feel like it.
This is how you turn working out into a lifestyle.
Get Yourself a Motivating Personal Trainer!
You knew that one was coming.
Shameless self-promotion aside, personal trainers are one of the best sources of motivation out there.
Not only can we keep you focused and help you stay on track, but we’re all about putting more fun into your fitness routine.
And here’s a well-kept secret: we know exactly how you feel.
Remember when we said we’ve all been there? We meant it. We’ve all been there. Even us. So if you ever find yourself struggling with some major resistance, turn to your personal trainer.
We get it and we can help.
Who Needs Motivation to Go to The Gym When You Have Incredible Personal Trainers?
We’re half-joking.
Part of our job here at Ohio Personal Trainers is helping you create your own motivation through good habits and a clear sense of direction.
That’s why we customize every training program to be exactly what you need it to be with:
- 1-on-1 training to build strength and improve cardio health
- Private training suites for an audience-free, judgment-free workout space
- Amazing advice, guidance, and encouragement from our passionate team of certified personal fitness pros
So how about it? Are you ready to start building a healthier lifestyle? Get in touch today or stop by our Chagrin Falls or Hudson locations for a free tour!