Is your fitness motivation flagging? Weβve all been there. You decide you want to start exercising more, but the comforting call of the sofa is often louder than the call of a gym class. Finding the energy to workout isnβt always easy, but there are ways you can reboot your dwindling enthusiasm. Itβs all about refocusing your mindset, and making your fitness routine more fun.
So, hereβs the motivation to workout that youβve been looking for; eight tips that will have you packing your gym bag or logging on to YouTube classes ASAPβ¦
How to get the motivation to workout
1. Remember the benefits of exercise
Sometimes you just need a reminder of why youβre getting fit in the first place. We all have our own reasons, but the good news is, exercise comes with a ton of benefits. Here are just some of the things it can help with:
Your sleepΒ β All that movement can make you feel more tired when it comes to bedtime, helping you to sleep better. Just make sure youβre not working out late at night, as you may feel too pumped-up and energised to drift off.
Your mental healthΒ β When you get your heart rate up, your body releases a flood of endorphins; the βhappy hormonesβ that block your brainβs perception of pain and produce positive feelings.
A sense of achievementΒ β While those endorphins are flowing, you can also enjoy the rewarding sense of achievement you get when youβve completed a workout. By setting, and ticking off, realistic goals, the rewards start to feel even greater.
Boosting energyΒ β You might think that exercise simply uses all of your energy up, but it can actually make you feel more energised thanks to its heart-pumping power. It delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to your tissues, so you get an energy boost post-workout that may push you through the day.
2. Make workouts part of your morning routine
For many of us, the morning is the best time for a workout (or any new routine). You can set an alarm for it, itβs done before your day really begins, and youβre less likely to find an excuse to skip it. Thereβs plenty of time to talk yourself out of afternoon or evening exercise, so if fitness motivation is a struggle, try an AM session. This might be your secret to staying on track.
Side note: This thinking is one of the reasons we tellΒ CBD beginnersΒ to start with a morning dose of their chosenΒ CBD productsΒ at first. That early dropper of theΒ Bright Days CBD Oil DropsΒ kick starts the day like nothing else. TheΒ Bright Days CBD CapsulesΒ are also great for before your workout, as theyβre packed with 500% of your daily vitamin D3 dose, which contributes to normal muscle performance and supports strong bones.
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3. Rope in friends and family for group exercise
Teamwork makes the dream work. If you think your fitness motivation is likely to fail, team up with a friend so you can spur each other on (and even hold one another accountable). Donβt worry if you canβt find anyone whoβs quite as enthusiastic as you; you could also join boot camp or running clubs, and have a whole team of people to hype you up. Working out is often much more fun when you have a βteammateβ. Plus, it switches your mindset, so you start to see exercise as less of a chore and more of a social activity.
4. Experiment with different types of fitness classes
A little variety can keep your workouts interesting. While traipsing on the treadmill doesnβt scream βfitness motivationβ, trialling a mix of classes β from yoga to box fit β ensures your exercise routine will be anything but boring. You might just uncover a passion for a class you wouldnβt usually have tried. Go in with an open mind and experiment to find the workout that motivates you.
Top tip:Β Prepaying for classes upfront also means youβll never want to miss a session. And even if you find myself eye-rolling that calendar reminder, youβll always be glad you made it once a class begins.
5. Create a killer workout playlist
What songs make you want to move? Or sing at the top of your lungs? Or take on the day? These are the tracks you need to add to your fitness playlist. Whether thatβs 70s rock, 90s house or the top 40, thereβs no judgement here. Just get your most motivational songs queued up for your next workout.
For some workouts β think 30 minutes on the exercise bike or strength training β TV shows can work too.
6. Set achievable goals
Thereβs nothing wrong with a little ambition, but if you set your goals so high that theyβre impossible to reach, your workout motivation is sure to start flagging. After all, we need that sense of reward to drive us. So, start with goals that are challenging but also achievable. As you tick them off, celebrate your wins, and then keep raising the bar higher and higher. When you reflect back in a year, youβll be amazed by how far youβve come.Β
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7. Embrace some friendly competition
If youβre competitive by nature, this may be the fitness motivation youβve been looking for. Get a friend or relative involved in your workouts and track one anotherβs progress to see how your stats stack up. But, remember: itβs all about friendly competition, so if you think comparing PBs could affect that, try another strategy. Keep it simple; count up the number of workouts completed each week, and give each other encouragement along the way.
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8. Go easy on yourself
The truth is, some days you really, really, really wonβt want to work out β and thatβs okay. After all, if fitness starts to feel like a chore or punishment, you wonβt reap all its mental health-enhancing rewards. Take rest days with zero guilt. Be kind to yourself and never compare. The best fitness motivation of all is fun, which means the trick is finding workouts that spark joy. It might be walking, boxing, swimming, yoga, or something else entirely. Just donβt force yourself through workouts that make you unhappy; thereβs nothing worse for your motivation.
CBD for fitness
Looking for CBD products to support your fitness? Here are our top 3 picks:
1. Bright Days CBD Capsules
Powering your day with a huge 500% of your daily vitamin D3 dose plus vitamin C and zinc, these super supplements help to contribute to normal muscle function, healthy bones and a reduction in fatigue. Take two per day, morning or night, before or after your workout.
2. Muscle Rescue CBD Muscle Balm
With a tingle of eucalyptus and a melting texture thatβs light and non-greasy, the Muscle Rescue CBD Muscle Balm is a must for a post-workout massage. Keep it in your gym bag, ready to work into any areas of tension.
3. Aromatherapy CBD Bath Salts
If you donβt have time to hit the spa post-gym, try these bath salts instead. A sprinkling in warm water will relax tight limbs, thanks to the infusion of muscle-melting Epsom salts. Meanwhile, the light botanical scent lifts your spirits and calms your mind. The perfect soak to relax and revive you from one workout to the next.
Up next:Β Can you use CBD in sports?Β Our guide reveals everything you need to know.
