Staying On Track: How To Find Motivation To Work Out

November 6, 2021

Staying on track with your workout routine is not always easy.

Sometimes you might find yourself getting discouraged when things get tough, other times you just don’t feel like working out at all. If you are having trouble finding motivation for your workouts, here are some tips on how to stay on track.

Find A Workout Partner

It is more fun working out with someone than it is doing it alone. Also, when you have someone waiting for you at the gym, you are less likely to skip your workout because of laziness or wavering commitment. So if you want to stay on track with your workouts, whether it’s doing a hip dips workout or lunges, consider finding a workout partner today. Here are qualities to look out for in a workout partner:

Find A Person Who Keeps Themselves In Shape

If you have a workout partner who is not in shape, they might not understand the amount of effort it takes to push yourself at the gym. If your motivation is already low, finding someone who cannot keep up with you will make things worse. So try and find someone familiar with how hard it can be to work out and can motivate you when times get tough. That way they will understand where you are coming from and be able to push you harder than you would ever push yourself.

Find Someone Who Is Fun To Be Around

You don’t want to spend two hours a day, five days a week at the gym hanging out with someone who bores you and drains your energy. Find someone who is fun to be around and has something in common with you so that your time spent working out doesn’t feel like a chore.

Find Someone Who Is Punctual

When your workout partner is always late it starts to feel like you are wasting your time in the gym. It can put you in a bad mood before you even get started. If you find someone who is punctual, not only will they be reliable when scheduling your workouts together but they will also be more likely to show up for themselves.

Workout With Music

Studies show that working out with music is more beneficial than working out in silence. Listening to music is a scientifically proven way of releasing dopamine in the brain which gives you energy and motivation.

When you exercise with music, your workout is more likely to be longer and you will work out harder. Here are some genres that will help to motivate you during a workout:

Harder/faster techno beats can increase speed and endurance
R & B is known for being emotionally uplifting
New-age music induces relaxation without putting people into a trance like state
You can also find music with motivational messages or lyrics
80s/90s rock is another good genre to listen to when working out because it puts people in a heightened state of awareness and makes time feel like it’s flying by

So turn on some tunes next time you work out, even if you are by yourself. It will give you the motivation that you need to push through your workout routine.

Reward Yourself

When your expectations are not met you are likely to become discouraged easily. By rewarding yourself after every workout, you are increasing the benefits of completing them because your brain associates exercise with pleasure instead of pain. Your reward doesn’t have to be food but it should make you feel better about having worked out. Here are some examples of rewards you can give yourself:

Buy a new workout outfit or pair of shoes
Take a relaxing bath after your workout
Get a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, haircut, etc.
Watch a favorite TV show or movie that is only allowed when you work out regularly

Create A Workout Schedule

If you are having trouble staying motivated in the gym it could be because you are constantly thinking about what to do next or when you should take a break. To avoid confusion when working out, create a specific schedule that outlines your workout plan for each day of the week. This way there is no question about what you will be doing next and your mind does not have to constantly make decisions on its own. Here’s an example:

Monday – 60 minutes cardio
Tuesday – 30 minutes strength training
Wednesday – Rest Day
Thursday – 60 minutes cardio
Friday- 30 minutes strength training
Saturday- Rest Day
Sunday- Rest Day

With this approach, even if your motivation wanes over time it will be easier to get back on track with your workout plan.

Do Workouts That You Enjoy

When you enjoy something, you want to spend more time doing it. It is important to find out what type of workouts you excel at and then continue with those types of activities for the rest of your life. If running isn’t your thing, don’t make yourself run three times a week because someone told you that cardio is important for everyone. Here are samples of enjoyable exercises:

Yoga

Yoga is a combination of meditation and tai chi. There are options. Hatha Yoga focuses on the proper flow of energy throughout the body. Iyengar Yoga is great for beginners because it requires you to hold each pose for several seconds so that your muscles can fully contract. Kundalini Yoga will help you let go of any negative emotions so that your mind can be clear during aerobic exercises.

Pilates

Pilates is one of the best exercises to improve posture, balance, flexibility, and strength all at once. You can progress through different levels as you become more comfortable doing each exercise in its beginner form. This will ensure that you are getting stronger instead of wasting time and energy on moves that you can’t execute properly.

Martial Arts

Martial arts require you to move quickly and focus all of your attention on what is happening in front of you. Since you aren’t allowed to use the same techniques over and over, your muscles get a great workout because they have to work harder than before. You will notice improvements in your coordination, reflexes, and strength after only a few weeks of training.

Cycling

Cycling is an excellent cardio exercise because it uses most major muscle groups and requires full concentration without causing excess strain on the lower back or hips. It’s also extremely fun and easy to do so there is no reason why you should not start biking for 45 minutes every day after work. The best part about cycling is how many calories you can burn in such a short amount of time so it should be the top choice for anyone who wants to get in shape fast.

Swimming

A workout where your entire body is moving through water without resistance may sound too good to be true, but it is one of the most enjoyable exercises because there’s no way that you could ever get bored with swimming laps around a pool or lake. Plus, this type of exercise has been shown to improve bone density and decrease inflammation in joints over time which makes it perfect for everyone who wants to become stronger without worrying about injuries.

With this simple guide, you shouldn’t have any trouble creating a workout plan that will keep you motivated and excited about working out every day. If one particular activity bores you after a week or two, try another one until you find something that you enjoy doing as much as possible. The best part about these options is how easy it is for anyone to do them without the need of going to a gym.