By Scott Mooney
Six Star Ambassador
In the gym, motivation is going to come and go. Whether you are a beginner and not seeing the results that you were expecting, or you are a veteran lifter that has been lifting your entire adult life but losing focus, it happens to everyone. The key is to keep pushing forward and keep getting out of bed even when you don’t feel like it. Whatever you do, don’t quit! If you’re at that stage, try a few of the following tips and get back to becoming the best possible you.
1. SET SHORT-TERM GOALS/SET A DEADLINE
Setting goals is crucial to staying motivated. The key is to not jump too far ahead. Maybe you want to squat a new personal best or finish a 5k in your fastest time. Maybe you want a ripped six-pack or just a flat stomach. Whatever your goal may be, make it realistic and make it short-term. Set a date and do whatever it takes to reach your goal in that time. Have it hanging on your fridge. Keep setting new short-term goals for yourself so you continue to move towards that long-term goal you’ve always wanted.
2. GET A GYM PARTNER
Getting a gym buddy is one of the best ways to stay motivated. Now you have another person pushing you and holding you accountable for getting your workouts in. If possible, find someone with similar goals who is as motivated to accomplish them as you are. This way they will always be pushing you to do your best, as you push them. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but having someone beside you on your fitness journey always helps.
3. MAKE A PLAYLIST
Pick all the music that really motivates you. Whether it’s music the gets you amped to crush weights or upbeat music to help you fight through your cardio, pick your favorites and put them in a playlist – and always remember your headphones!
4. HAVE A PLAN
For a seasoned lifter, this may be obvious. But for someone new, this may be harder than it seems. Walking into a gym with no plan is one of the worst things you can do. No plan means there’s no goal for the workout. You have to have a plan to finish. If you’re unsure of what to do, try getting a personal trainer, or at least do some research online for workout programs. Always remember to talk to a doctor before starting a program to make sure you’re able to do that type of training.
5. WATCH VIDEOS
Maybe watching massive bodybuilders gets you motivated to work out. Maybe watching physique or bikini competitors on stage gets you motivated. Maybe just a motivational speech or a part from a movie will do the trick. If it gets you pumped to work out, give it a watch and channel that energy into your next workout.
6. TRY SOMETHING NEW
This could be something as simple as changing your rep range during your workouts, or it could be something as extreme as deciding to run a marathon. That change is what keeps our bodies guessing and keeps us coming back for more. Don’t get stuck in a boring routine of 3 sets of 10 of the same boring exercises. Get out there and do something fun and different.
