6 Best Workout Motivation Hacks

As the new year rolls in, you may be in need of some workout motivation. Heck, who isn’t? We’ve been celebrating for days, we feel gross, and we know regular trips to the gym are the fix. But thinking that and actually working out are two different things.

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I mean, why does it have to be so hard?

Workout motivation 101

Alright, let’s get into it. Here are six hacks to keep you motivated to work out.

1. Stick to a routine

To stay motivated to work out, you must stick to a regular routine. Experts point out you’re more likely to prioritize fitness if it’s a consistent part of your weekly schedule.

This is particularly important if you work from home. That lifestyle can make you feel like the days all run together. Structured activities in your day break up that monotony.

Treat exercising like any other important task on your schedule. After a week or so, you’ll probably be looking forward to that workout.

2. Give yourself the right space

Gym memberships are pricey, so you may prefer to workout at home instead. It’s an option, for sure — but only if you have the right space available. Trying to exercise in spaces that are designed for other things, like sleeping or watching TV, could prove to be unworkable.

Sleep and mental health experts point out that working from a bedroom is a bad idea because we mentally and emotionally associate certain areas of our homes with specific activities. Working out in the bedroom can make it harder to switch off and relax at night.

A similar problem arises if your workout space is in your TV-watching area. You may associate this space with unwinding and relaxing. That association could sap your workout motivation before you even step into your Lululemon leggings.

Look for a designated space in your home to work out, and then outfit it properly. I personally use a corner of my garage but I made it official with garage gym flooring (basically a rubber surface that can take some impact), along with a TV, yoga mat, and some dumbbells. Honestly, the whole setup reminds me to work out every time I park my car.

3. Choose the right time

There’s no ideal time to work out. Don’t assume you need to exercise at a particular time of day just because someone else you know recommends it.

Instead, tap into how you feel throughout the day. Some people are more motivated to work out in the morning; some prefer the evening. You might like the morning, because you feel refreshed. Or, you might like the end of the day, to help you “switch gears” after work.

Experiment with working out at different times until you find the one that’s right for you. Just make sure you set aside enough time! If you only have 15 minutes to devote to a workout that requires 30 minutes to deliver results, you might use that as rationale to skip the workout entirely.

4. Have the right clothes

There is something to be said for self-bribery. You want to wear that cutout workout top from Amazon? Then you have to do the work. Invest in cute workout clothes and a comfortable pair of cross-trainers. If you love your activewear, you’re more likely to be active.

5. Start an accountability group

Ideally, you and a group of friends could meet at the gym on the regular to work out. But if you can’t coordinate your schedules, then at least hold each other accountable for working out independently. As an example, you could start a private Facebook group and require everyone to log their activities.

6. Get your head in the game

I’m adding this pointer from personal experience. There are times when I’m feeling unmotivated and then I realize this: I have a choice! If I’m not motivated, I can address that in an immediate way (and, honestly, without spending dough on cute workout clothes).

My go-to is meditation. A little quiet time does wonders for clarifying personal goals. But you might prefer prayer and journaling, for example. See prayers for athletes or motivational journaling prompts.

You can do this

Here’s a secret. You don’t need workout motivation every day for the rest of your life. You need it to keep you going for about three weeks. After that, you’re likely to love the results you’re seeing and you’ll want to keep it up.

So commit right now to your workout regiment for three weeks. That’s all it takes to make 2023 the year you reach those fitness goals.