Struggling to get into the swing of exercising? Need some workout motivation tips, or some guidance on how to stay motivated at the gym? Say no more. The Innermost Team have got you covered.
Why do we work out?
When you workout, generally, you are doing it out of choice. We workout because we are aware of the benefits this has on our physical and mental health: it is not because you have to. We all have our individual fitness goals, whether that is to get more toned, lose weight, have more energy... the list goes on. You decided to sweat lots, strain your muscles and raise your heart rate. Some of us even pay for the privilege of doing this.
There are many reasons why we choose to workout. These range from wanting to look better, all the way to wanting to live longer. Some of us workout because it allows us to sit down all day at work and not feel guilty about eating pie for dinner – a great reason, in our opinion.
Although, despite working out being our choice, and despite having goals and reasons for it, we often think that we would rather be somewhere else when we are exercising. Therefore, we need help. We need to be able to distract ourselves from the pain in our muscles and the sweat in our eyes. So what can we do?
Grab some company
Working out can be lonely- especially if you are just getting started. Facing a run at the crack of dawn with nothing but aching legs to keep us company is not easy.
But getting fit should not be like this. It can be fun. As the old saying goes, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’, and as a result, group exercise can be great for many of us who struggle to work out on our own. Group exercise provides support, structure and accountability, and seeing others working hard will push us to work beyond our perceived limitations.
If you’ve got no one to go with – how about joining an exercise class at your local gym? There are plenty of sports and options to choose from and you never know, you may just meet someone there that can become your dedicated gym partner.
Mix up your routine
Do not fall into the rut of doing the same workouts all the time. Naturally, you will get bored and the prospect of that specific workout will pretty much fill you with dread. If you can’t face another second on the exercise bike, try the treadmill or cross trainer instead.
If there is a piece of equipment or exercise that you hate – don’t do it! No one is forcing you, and your fitness journey is all about you. It’s important to remember that what works for one person won’t work for another - there are plenty of other exercises out there and no rush, so take your time, do your research and find ones that you enjoy.
Reward yourself, often
No, we don’t mean by grabbing a takeaway on your way home from the gym. When you exercise, naturally our body releases endorphins – feel good hormones that give you that post-workout buzz. If that isn’t enough of an award, schedule in something exciting or relaxing after your workouts: see a friend, watch your favourite film, grab a smoothie from your favourite café or maybe buy yourself some new gym wear to get yourself excited for your next trip.
One of our favourite things to do to get us in the mood for a workout is whip up a deliciously flavoured protein shake to drink on our way to the gym. Why not try The Strong Protein and start implementing a supplement drink motivation into your routine.
It’s the little things that make a difference and can turn a once chore-like activity into a healthy, enjoyable habit.
Listen to music
No matter what your goal is, when you exercise, your environment can really make a difference to how well you train. It has been suggested that music has a real impact on how motivated you feel. It also distracts us from pain and tiredness and decreases our awareness of how we feel. Music enables us to push harder, work for longer and actually do our bodies some good.
Need some playlist inspiration? How about these…
- Elisa Rossi’s Workout Playlist
- Innermost’s Home Workout Playlist
- Innermost’s #WFH Anthems
Count Your Reps
Whether you decide to count down to the finish line or count how many reps you’ve done in total in that session, quantifying your workouts is a great way to feel productive and accomplished. Having a goal to work towards is a great way to motivate and push yourself to achieve your fitness goals.
Summary
It’s important not to feel disheartened if you’re feeling unmotivated to workout – it happens to us all, and is only natural. Try some of our recommendations on days when getting in your exercise is just that little bit harder, and we promise that you won’t regret making the effort to do so.
If you’re lacking energy as well as motivation, why not try incorporating The Energy Booster into your routine? Packed with Branched Chain Amino acids, this supplement is designed to up your energy levels and give you that all importance exercise motivation. Let's go!
