Keep Yourself Motivated in 5 Simple Steps

When you wake up in the morning, is your first thought “I cannot wait to get to the gym today to do my strength training!” Although this might be the case on some days, it is not likely that you feel this way every single day. Do you know the secret to continuously staying motivated? No? Neither do I, but I do have some key tips to help you stay motivated. Here are my top 5 tips for staying motivated to continue strength training!

#1: Set Goals

In order to stay motivated you need to have a reason to be motivated; therefore, you need goals. Set a short term goal that is measureable and can be achieved within a reasonable amount of time. Once you have reached your first goal, set another goal. Keep goal setting until you achieve your long term goal. Always having a goal makes it so you always have something to work towards. Some examples of short term goals could be: strength training three times a week, increasing your bench press weight by 10 pounds, or getting at least 7 hours of sleep at least 5 days a week. Any goal that can be attained within a reasonable amount of time and can be measured can help you to stay motivated!

#2: Record and Track Your Progress

We all have to start somewhere, but how can you know how far you have come if you don’t have any record of where you started? Pick some statistics of yourself to keep track of, and reevaluate consistently so you can have proof of your progress. Pictures, measurements, body composition, and/or strength testing are great options for statistics to measure to help show you how far you have come. 

#3: Listen to Music

Music can easily change your mood. Finding a plethora of songs that motivate you and putting them into one playlist can really boost your desire to strength train when those songs start playing. On days you are not feeling like doing your strength training workout, turn on your playlist and drive to the gym. You will likely find that by the time you arrive, your music will have motivated you to get into the gym and get your workout done.

#4: Make Your Workouts Non-Negotiable

You might be busy but just like everyone else; you have to make the time to strength train. Pencil your workouts into your schedule and make them as non-negotiable as going to work, dropping your kids off to school, or going to a meeting, making dinner, or etc. Having a no excuse attitude about completing your strength training workouts, because they are non-negotiable, will help you to be motivated to get your workouts done rather than procrastinate them.

#5: Show Up No Matter What

Whether you want to strength train or not on any given training day, show up to the gym anyway. Once you are there, you will find it easier to get and stay motivated. From home, it will be harder to muster up the motivation. If you wait until you are motivated to go to the gym to strength train, it might not ever happen, and you might not ever become consistent. We know that consistency is key, so show up no matter what. Even if you don’t get your whole strength training workout in, some is better than none.

There are many other ways for you to get and stay motivated, but if you try out these 5 tips for a few weeks, you will likely find that you have increased motivation!

Go for consistency and have a purpose for your training. Remember to show up and do your best. Bring your music for some extra motivation. Remember, if your workouts are non-negotiable, they will get done! Good luck!