Have you ever bought a gym membership as a new year’s resolution but never been? Did you used to work out, but life got in the way? Are you trying to get fit but just don’t know where to start?
We’ve all heard the benefits of being active but knowing it’s good for you doesn’t mean it’s easy to go to the gym. When it comes to ditching the excuses and making a habit, motivation is key, so we’ve compiled some tricks to help you keep on track.
5 ways to motivate yourself to go to the gym
Choose the right gym
When choosing a gym, it can be difficult to balance price and quality. Membership at gyms with extra equipment and features such as swimming pools can be quite expensive. However, cheaper gyms may be of lower quality, with fewer machines and less variation. It’s important to choose a gym that fits into your price range but is still a place that you will enjoy working out at. Joining a more expensive gym can even boost your motivation to go as it will cost more to skip a workout.
Get a gym buddy
Making a commitment with a friend can not only make your gym visits more fun but also means you’re less likely to skip if someone else is counting on you. Watching your friend progress can give you the motivation to work harder and can give you someone to celebrate with when you reach your goals. Arranging to work with a personal trainer will help you make the same commitment and keep you working hard, not wanting to let them down.
Change your routine
Making a change in your daily routine can establish a habit and turn your workouts into a long-lasting lifestyle choice that will be more difficult to break. By getting up earlier and working out before you start your day, you can avoid 8-10 hours of talking yourself out of it. Rearrange your workouts and choose alternate exercises to prevent boredom, and make sure schedule rest days to prevent burnout.
Remove barriers
When it comes to it, it’s all too easy to make up excuses to not go to the gym. It’s much easier to acknowledge your laziness and remove anything you could use as an excuse; make breakfast and a snack the night before and lay your clothes out to get dressed straight out of bed even if you don’t feel like it. Dressing for a workout can make you more likely to get up and go.
Set Goals
If you’re aiming for a long-term change, it’s important to set goals. If you go to the gym and exercise without an aim, it’s difficult to see progress, and easy to give up. Make sure your goals are achievable, giving yourself enough time to achieve them, and take a “before” photo that you can look back on when it feels like you’re not getting anywhere. Track your progress (increased weight and repetitions etc.), and make sure to reward yourself for your achievements.
So get your sneakers on!
As little as 30 minutes of physical exercise per day can have major health benefits, including; weight loss, lowered cholesterol, improved heart health, reduced risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis, increased energy, improved sleep quality, and improved mood. So, whether you go with a personal trainer, with a friend, or on your own, make sure that gym membership is more than just a new year’s resolution!
