At the beginning of every year, thousands of people sign up for a membership to their local gym. By March, most of these people have already quit. This lack of motivation can come down to a number of factors. Here are just a few ways you can win back that motivation so you look forward to every gym session.
Choose the right gym
It’s possible that the gym you’ve signed up for may not be the right fit for you. You may have just been put off by the price, in which case you may just have to hunt around for a low price option – there are affordable option out there such as The Club Fitness Facilities that still come with good quality services. If you feel like the people training there aren’t on your level, you may be able to find a gym more catered to your demographic – there are gyms geared toward older people and gyms for young people, gyms for hardcore athletes and gyms for your everyday person wanting to get fit. You may be able to take advantage of free trial offers, allowing you to get a feel for different gyms in your area. If nowhere feels right, it could just be a case that the gym isn’t for you – there’s no reason why you can’t work out from home!
Get a gym buddy
While some people may find a gym buddy distracting, others may need the encouragement and accountability of having someone else to train with. Consider if there’s a friend or family member who may be able to work out with you. You can both spur each other on or compete against one another. Ideally, they should be someone on your level of fitness and someone who you want to hang out with. Joining a class at your gym or hiring a personal trainer could be another option.
Bring your headphones
Most people find that music motivates them by helping to set a rhythm and offering something else to focus on. Consider lining up some of your favorite upbeat tunes on Spotify or Amazon Music to listen to on your phone with headphones – it could help to make workouts more fun.
Set a schedule
Having scheduled gym time also makes it easier to stay motivated. Have at least one scheduled gym session per week. A lot of people find they’re more motivated in the morning, but if this isn’t possible you could try going in the evening straight after work (if you go home first, you may find you’re more tempted to enter relax mode).
Record your progress
Recording your progress from week to week can also keep you motivated by giving you a score to beat whether it’s running for longer on the treadmill or lifting a heavier weight. Apps like Jefit are great for managing your routine and progress. You can even use a Fitbit or other similar device to keep track of your body metrics such as heart rate and steps.
Reward yourself with treats
Every time you succeed at going to the gym, reward yourself. This could include allowing yourself to use the spa facilities after, taking a nap, putting savings into a jar or even indulging in a small unhealthy snack or drink (emphasis on small – you don’t want to undo your workout). By looking forward to these rewards, you’ll want to work out.
Contributed post. May contain affiliate links.
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