Ugh, how do I get motivated to go to the gym?

[Anonymous]

I found success when I stopped using whether or not I was motivated. As someone that has worked out regularly for over a decade, I realized long ago if I only worked out when motivated it would be far less. My first metric is I go unless something stops me. That mentality has me working out 5-6 days a week. And I feel no guilt or shame whenever I can't because I know it's legit. So maybe, reframe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell yourself it’s just for ten minutes - you can do something for ten minutes, right?

Once you get started…

Good luck

Well unfortunately with our schedules with kids, I often only have 10 minutes to work out and it doesn’t feel worth driving to gym.

We have a small set of weights and some space in basement, but half the time some project (mid assembly furniture, ski equipment winter storage, etc) has spilled into the space so before I can work out I have to IKEA some chairs or stack a pile of storage boxes before even starting to exercise.

Sometimes I consider 24 hr fitness, but am I REALLY going to work out till 1am when I have a 7am school drop off and work st 8!

Try the FitOn app - it's free. You can search by workout type: cardio, weights, HIIT by time. They have an option for under 10 minutes I believe. There is definitely ones for between 1-18 minutes

[Anonymous]

This was my main problem-I couldn't find the motivation to actually go to the gym or to OTF until the pandemic hit and I got my Peloton. It became my sanctuary within my own home and there are no excuses for not working out when it's right there. We now have weights, a treadmill, bench and basically everything I need that I used at the gym right here. I can also run outside-true, but I know I won't do that in the dead of winter, so the treadmill helps keep the momentum going. I also don't feel the need to work out with others--I have a virtual community and my workout commitment has inspired me to run and participate in races for the in-person community. If you aren't motivated by actually going to the gym, consider bringing the gym to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My motivation is that it beats the hell out of working for living. I also have most of my stuff at home.

You don't have to work for a living because you work out instead?

No, but it’s a lot more interesting and rewarding than the typical white collar professional grind. To each their own.

So you stay fit for someone else will pay for your living expenses? Most of us have to find time and motivation to work out AND work the professional grind.

How dense are you? Honestly. The question was what’s the motivation. My answer is I enjoy it a whole hell of a lot more than my professional life grind. I also do both and I happen to enjoy personal fitness because working as a professional in this area is soul sucking.

NP, but to be fair, what you wrote was not clear. Also, the question wasn't how YOU get motived, it was how does OP get motivated. No need to insult.

[Anonymous]

Try to make some friends at the gym.

Not that you have to work out with them, but feeling like you are part of a community really helps.

That can be done through classes or bootcamps, or even just talking to people in between sets

[Anonymous]

1) great playlist
2) mental “permission” to leave after one set if I want to (I never do but knowing that I can if I’m still not feeling it makes it much easier to go.)
3) for cardio a good series with subtitles (somehow I find it more engrossing/do less mental moaning.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My motivation is that it beats the hell out of working for living. I also have most of my stuff at home.

You don't have to work for a living because you work out instead?

No, but it’s a lot more interesting and rewarding than the typical white collar professional grind. To each their own.

So you stay fit for someone else will pay for your living expenses? Most of us have to find time and motivation to work out AND work the professional grind.

How dense are you? Honestly. The question was what’s the motivation. My answer is I enjoy it a whole hell of a lot more than my professional life grind. I also do both and I happen to enjoy personal fitness because working as a professional in this area is soul sucking.

DP, but seriously? Your answer was impossible to understand. You made it sound like you are working out instead of working for a living; several people interpreted it that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was my main problem-I couldn't find the motivation to actually go to the gym or to OTF until the pandemic hit and I got my Peloton. It became my sanctuary within my own home and there are no excuses for not working out when it's right there. We now have weights, a treadmill, bench and basically everything I need that I used at the gym right here. I can also run outside-true, but I know I won't do that in the dead of winter, so the treadmill helps keep the momentum going. I also don't feel the need to work out with others--I have a virtual community and my workout commitment has inspired me to run and participate in races for the in-person community. If you aren't motivated by actually going to the gym, consider bringing the gym to you.

Sadly I'll need to work longer hours at a second job, to afford the house with enough space to "bring the gym to " me!

Are you in the exurbs? Or just mad $$$?

[Anonymous]

I don’t know if this works, but I read a book long time ago that said to decide one thing at a time. If you want to do sit-ups but couldn’t get motivated, just decide to lay down on the floor knowing you can get back up if you want. Decide as soon you get home, you’ll put on your workout clothes. That in itself might get you out the door. Or put on workout clothes and get in the car. Then Decide to drive around the block. You’ll probably end up at the gym.

Might just be whoo-whoo but thought I’d throw it out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know if this works, but I read a book long time ago that said to decide one thing at a time. If you want to do sit-ups but couldn’t get motivated, just decide to lay down on the floor knowing you can get back up if you want. Decide as soon you get home, you’ll put on your workout clothes. That in itself might get you out the door. Or put on workout clothes and get in the car. Then Decide to drive around the block. You’ll probably end up at the gym.

Might just be whoo-whoo but thought I’d throw it out there.

I like this. And set yourself up for success. Make it easy for yourself. I set my workout clothes out the night before so all I need to do is pick up a pile of clothes on the way to the bathroom - no need to wake DH, no need to root through drawers. It's what I have to wear. If I want to skip the workout - I don't have clothes ready.

I do Yoga With Adrienne a lot and one of the things she says is the hardest thing is to get on the mat - So true! - But if you actually get on the mat (with the thought that you'll just lay there) you'll probably do something, like PP said.

[Anonymous]

Take motivation out of it. Many days I don’t feel motivated, but I look at it like brushing my teeth. I wake up brush my teeth and put my workout clothes on. It’s a habit. I try not to schedule appointments/meetings during my regular workout time.

[Anonymous]

I make it a goal to do it every day first thing in the morning. I find rest days naturally appear due to scheduling conflicts etc. but it’s just impossible, for me, to develop a “Monday/Wednesday/Friday habit.” It’s every day or bust.

[Anonymous]

Don't get motivated to go to the gym. Start working out at home using Fitness Blender videos. Minimal space is needed and equipment is optional. Even when you do want to use equipment, you could get by with three dumbbell sets of light, medium, and heavy weights (to you).

[Anonymous]

I have a Peloton and weights at home but I never use them because when I'm at home, I always find something to do besides working out.

The only thing that works for me is a class. Similar to another PP, I wake up at go to the gym right away at 5:30 am, no excuses, no thinking, just go.

What motivates me is that it's a class we have to sign up for in advance to reserve slots, and if we don't cancel the day before at the latest, we get charged a hefty fee. So there's no hitting snooze and just skipping. I'm too cheap to pay the monthly rate for unlimited classes PLUS cancellation fees just because I felt lazy that day.

I sign up for usually 4-5 days/week and have not canceled for a fee a single time since I started last fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get the gym in your house. Not having to leave the house to work out makes all the difference.

In my case I have a squat rack, barbell and bench in the basement. I can spend an hour down there or I can jump down between calls and do a set of 10 and that's it for the day. It is WAY easier to get streaks going this way.

I have all of these things because my husband is basically Thor. And I still can't motivate. (Not OP.) It's an issue.