Have you been away from the gym for a while? It happened to many of us in the pandemic, and many of us haven’t quite gotten back into the swing of working out again. Once you’ve spent a bit of time out of your normal workout routine, it can be hard to find your motivation, but we’ve got some tips to help you get back to the gym even if you really don’t feel like it.
Go for five minutes. Sometimes, getting to the gym is the hardest part of the workout. Tell yourself you’ll go for five minutes, and if you really want to leave at that point, go ahead and go home. It’s more likely, though, that you’ll start to get into it once you begin to work out, and you’ll end up putting in a decent amount of time.
Don’t go home before you hit the gym. Along the same lines, it can be easy to get derailed if you give yourself the opportunity to glimpse your couch before you make it to the gym. Pack a workout bag and take it with you to work, and head straight to the gym before you go home.
Dress for success. Wearing athletic clothing can make you feel more confident and ready to work out. Additionally, clothing that’s made for working out is safer and more comfortable for exercising.
Find an accountability buddy. When you work out with a friend, you’re more likely to push yourself harder. In fact, a recent study showed that working out with a buddy that you perceive to be better than you can increase your workout’s intensity and length by up to 200 percent! What’s more, if you’re meeting a friend at the gym you’ll be less likely to cancel.
Hire a trainer. This is taking the concept of a workout buddy to the next level. Not will you have a person who can provide accountability and motivation to go to the gym and push yourself, but a trainer can help you reach your goals by honing your workout. When you work with a trainer, you can be sure you’ll be doing exercises properly, so there’s a lower risk of injury.
Take a class. This can be a great way to learn something new that you really enjoy, but it can also provide much needed social interaction. Also, if you’re a person who tends to spend longer than you intended at the gym, you may be tempted to skip your workout if you’re afraid you’ll lose track of time. Taking a class puts a definite stopping point to the workout.
Have a little fun! You’ll be less likely to go to the gym if you’re not enjoying yourself. Try new activities until you find something you can actually have fun doing, and your workouts will become a breeze! Don’t be afraid to mix it up.
Fuel your fitness. If you’re working out in the morning, be sure to have breakfast. If you’re feeling easily fatigued, check your diet to make sure you’re giving yourself enough fuel for your metabolism. Pack a snack to take to the gym.
Reward yourself. Have you noticed how kids will do things they don’t want to do if they’re promised a toy or a sticker? The same concept is true for adults. You probably don’t want a sticker, but maybe promising yourself a fruit smoothie or an episode of your favorite show will motivate you to work out. Maybe you can plan to “earn” a new outfit or a trip to the spa or the beach when you reach a certain goal. Whatever works for you, go for it.
Track your progress. Seeing how far you’ve come can be an amazing motivator! Make sure you don’t rely on just one measurement of progress, like weight loss. Pay attention to how much healthier you are, and how your muscles are becoming toned. One fantastic way to track your progress is with a fitness tracker, which will help you see how far you’ve come and help you meet your goals.
Cut yourself a bit of slack. If it’s been a while, don’t fret if you’re not at the same level you were before. Ease back into it and be patient: you’ll get back to where you were before if you just give it time. Expect to be sore after a workout, and remind yourself that it’s just because you’ve been away, and the soreness won’t last.
At the Wellbridge Family of Athletic Clubs, we offer world-class training that keeps up-to-date with the latest in health and wellness. At our clubs, you’ll be greeted by our friendly team before you’re challenged and motivated by top-notch instructors in our fitness classes. You’ll make new friends because you belong here. Join today or contact us to learn more.