How to Get Motivated to Workout

Let’s be real—getting yourself to go to the gym is easier said than done. Sure, when you’re cuddled in bed, scrolling through a Pinterest board full of fitness motivation quotes and pictures, you might claim you’ll partake in an intense workout the next day, but following through is another story. The fact of the matter is, when it comes to reaching your fitness goals, knowing how to get motivated to workout is equally as important as knowing the proper exercises to do. If you’ve found yourself in a bit of a workout slump, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’re sharing 12 tips to keep your gym motivation high all through 2020.

TIP #1: MAKE AN INSPIRATION BOARD

Of course, the number one way to stay motivated is to have your end-goal in focus. That’s where an inspiration board can come into play. Sure, you can make a virtual one on Pinterest like we mentioned above, but a physical inspiration board is a great daily reminder as to why you’re heading to the gym in the first place. Use a corkboard and scour through magazines to find quotes, words, and pictures of celebs, influencers, and real women that will inspire you to head to the gym.

TIP #2: SET SHORT-TERM GOALS

Sure, you know what your main goal is, but it can take a while to get there. Focusing on the big picture can make it easy to lose your fitness motivation. This is where short-term goals come into play. Picking a few milestones along the way will help you keep track of the progress you’ve made, and serve as a reminder that all the hard work you’re putting in isn’t going to waste. Whether your goal is to be able to do 10 consecutive push-ups by the end of the month or run a mile on the treadmill is up to you. Don’t get caught up in thinking that only weight loss goals are worthwhile!

TIP #3: AND LONG-TERM GOALS

Yes, short-term goals are important, but those long-term goals are still a necessity! Knowing what lies ahead if you continue to head to the gym will give you the dose of motivation you need to change into gym clothes and get your sweat on. And long-term goals don’t necessarily mean your overall end-goal. It could be something a few months out, such as toning up before a tropical vacation!

TIP #4: START EARLY

Hear us out—while waking up early may not sound appealing in the slightest, you mind find your gym motivation is higher when rolling out of bed than after a long day of work. Trust us, we’ve been there—a long, tiring day at the office is an all too perfect excuse for skipping the gym. Rather than wait, try starting your day with a morning workout. While you may be tired at first, you’ll find it much easier to get through the rest of your day knowing your workout is done, and you can go home and relax guilt-free once you’re off the clock.

TIP #5: WORK OUT WITH A FRIEND

Sometimes the best way to stay motivated is the have someone who will hold you accountable. Find a friend with similar fitness goals and get into the routine of working out together. Hitting the gym is much more enjoyable when you have someone to gossip with in-between sets! Not to mention, you won’t want to be the one to bail out of the daily workout.

TIP #6: SWITCH IT UP

Doing the same workout each day can get boring. Instead of getting into a solid routine, make an effort to switch up your gym regimen every now and then. A great way to do this is the rotate each body part you work out. You can also keep things interesting by trying out a new class (more on that later).

Editor’s tip: Need an idea for your next workout? Try a relaxing yoga session that won’t be too hard on your body! Here are 10 Yoga Poses to De-Stress with This Weekend—put them together to create an easy yoga sequence.

TIP #7: PENCIL IT IN

Put gym time on your calendar. This way, you can treat it as an appointment, rather than something that’s optional. Having it written down will make you second-guess staying home. Not to mention you’ll never be able to make the excuse of having conflicting plans again!

TIP #8: TAKE PROGRESS PICTURES

The proof is in the pictures—that’s how the saying goes, right? Take monthly progress pictures in the same mirror, with the same lighting, in a similar outfit. Sure, changes don’t happen overnight, but seeing the difference in your body month by month will help recharge your initial fitness motivation.

TIP #9: COMMIT TO CLASSES

Remember those classes we mentioned earlier? Not only are they a great way to keep your workouts interesting, but they’re also the perfect way to hold yourself accountable. Typically, you’ll have to book and pay for classes in advance, and the idea of paying a cancellation fee for a class you didn’t attend will surely be motivation enough for you to show up. Aside from the cost, being in a group setting is the perfect way to push yourself and put your all into your workout. Seeing others put in effort will make you want to do the same!

TIP #10: SET UP REMINDERS

Daily reminders are another great option for giving your gym motivation a boost. You can program these to go off on your phone at a certain time of day, or place sticky notes around your house with inspirational quotes and phrases.

TIP #11: CREATE A REWARD SYSTEM

Working out is so much easier when there’s a reward at the end of your sweat sesh. Create a reward system for yourself. Maybe it’s allowing yourself to go out with your girlfriends—if you complete your workout. That pair of bell-bottom jeans you’ve been eyeing up? You can buy them—after a week of dedicated workouts. Find what works for you!

TIP #12: THINK ABOUT THE SUMMER INSTAGRAMS

When all is said and done, there’s one source of motivation that will always get us to the gym—those summertime Instagram photo ops. If you’re someone who loves curating the perfect Instagram feed, think about the confidence you’ll have gained after meeting your goals and taking care of your body—and how that will translate into your pictures.

Next: 23 Easy Workouts for Women to Try in 2020