Did you kick start the year full of "New Year, New Me" vibes?
It's well known that January is when we all rush to the gym, dig out our old running shoes that have been gathering dust, or swear that this will be the year we'll achieve all our weight loss goals.
But when February rolls around, we ask ourselves, "Why am I so unmotivated to go to the gym?"
Fear not; at Discount Supplements, we know a thing or two about keeping that momentum going all year, so we've pulled together our top 5 tips for staying motivated in the gym. From the people to train with to the products to keep you going, we'll help you smash your fitness goals while helping you stay accountable.
Table of contents:
- Make the most of your motivation
- Don’t forget your why
- Make workouts fun and keep them fresh
- Give yourself a long-term goal
- Celebrate small wins and reward yourself
Our top recommended products to improve your performance
1. Make the most of your motivation
There's no denying it; motivation and gym motivation, in particular, isn't always there.
If you've woken up this morning and lost all motivation to go to the gym, you're not alone. Motivation is finite; it's not something we always have, and it needs working on during those days when it feels easier to press the snooze button than it does to head out for that early morning workout.
The key to hanging on to motivation is to build good habits into your daily routine so that getting that workout in doesn't feel like a chore. For example, a brisk ten-minute walk at lunchtime or a twenty-minute HIIT class first thing in the morning can help set you up for the day and boost your motivation. Good habit cycles breed motivation and keep you wanting to return to the gym for more.
Remember to prioritise frequency over the duration to help you stay accountable, as seven days in the gym doing just 10-20 minutes of exercise is enough to help you achieve those goals and is better than not going at all.
How do I keep myself motivated to go to the gym?
Here are some other top ways to ensure that you keep going to the gym:
- Lay your kit out the night before, as this removes the option of procrastination in the morning and prepares your mind for the task at hand.
- If you don't know what you're doing in the gym, book some time with a personal trainer. Not only will they keep you motivated, but they'll also show you the ropes and help you to perfect your technique.
- Set smart, achievable, precise goals rather than vague ones to measure your success. Rather than aiming “to lose weight”, which is a vague goal, go for small, measurable goals that are more rewarding.
2. Don’t forget your why
When you start to feel your motivation dip, it's important to remember what made you start in the first place.
Everyone has a different reason for hitting the gym, so whether it's to improve your mental health, to be an all-around healthier person, or just to be able to run for the bus, reminding yourself why you started in the first place can be a great motivator.
Remember, don't compare yourself to others, as this can deter you away from the reason you were motivated to start in the first place. Just because someone can run faster than you or lift more than you doesn't mean that you're failing; everyone is at a different point in their journey, and the only person you need to compare yourself to is you, as this will bring the best results!
3. Make it fun and keep it fresh
If you're wondering how to get motivation to go to the gym, the answer may lie in your workouts. If you've followed the same workout plan every time you set foot in the gym, maybe it's time to freshen up your workout routine.
Add in some cardio, try that new class you've been eager to try, or change up your plan and reps to increase the intensity and refresh your mindset so you have new activities to try out. That way, you'll be eager to set foot in the gym again and excited to put your new routine into practice.
Another way to add a fun element to your workout routine is to work out with a friend. Exercising becomes much easier when you have someone to hit goals and celebrate with. It also makes you more accountable, as someone else relies on you to be at those daily workouts. Working out with others can be a great way to socialise and spend time with your favourite, like-minded friends.
Finally, if you thrive on competition, why not set yourself some competitive goals and monitor your improvement? Whether that's running faster than the person next to you on the treadmill or aiming to increase your weights by the end of the month, a new target will give you a new focus and a reason to be at the gym.
4. Give yourself a long-term goal
Whether you're interested in running a marathon or want to deadlift a certain weight in the gym, a long-term goal can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, a long-term goal can be a great way to maintain your gym motivation if you break it down into smaller, more achievable goals that you can tick off along the way.
Small, achievable goals act as a step-by-step journey on the road to your ultimate fitness destination and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed by the bigger picture.
Another great way to stay on track is to tell your friends and family about your goal or share it on social media with updates to help you remain accountable. Plus, it's always a great motivator when people are invested in your goal and pushing you to achieve it.
5. Celebrate small wins and reward yourself
Sometimes, when we set ourselves fitness goals, we forget to monitor our progress along the way. Whether it's taking and looking at progress pictures or your improvements on your fitness watch, it's good to see how far you've come; sometimes, that's all of the motivation you need to keep going.
Whatever keeps you accountable, whether using a fitness tracker, a journal or relying on progress photos, check in with yourself regularly to see how far you've come and reward yourself when you hit those small, achievable goals. Opting for a one-off cheat day or treating yourself to a new gym outfit can be great ways to stay on top of that all-important motivation and keep you running to the gym all year long!
If progress photos are your main method of progress tracking, don't fall into the trap of making exercise and the outcome all about how you look, as this could give you unrealistic expectations. Instead, focus on nailing a push-up challenge or running one more interval instead, as these smaller goals will be more beneficial in helping you get to your long-term achievements.
Our top recommended products to improve your performance
Now, we've shed some light on our top tips for gym motivation; we aim to help you improve your gym performance with our recommended products to help you achieve your goals and gains. From the best products for muscle repair post-exercise to the ones that will have you hitting faster or stronger reps, you'll be smashing those long-term gym goals in no time!
For weight loss goals
If your main goal is weight loss, then The Health Project Igniter Fat Burner Caps are the perfect addition to your workout routine. When combined with a healthy lifestyle and a consistent workout programme, these powerful fat burners featuring caffeine, green tea extract, guarana seed extract, and l-carnitine will help you race towards and smash through your weight loss goals.
For muscle repair
After a hard workout, there's nothing better than Efectiv Nutrition's Whey Protein to help with muscle growth and repair. Whether you're buying in bulk or looking for some single-use sachets to have on the go, these delicious protein powders come in various flavours, including Banana Cream, Biscuit Spread, Choc Bueno and Peanut Butter Cups. Containing 21 grams of protein per serving, they're an essential addition to your post-workout routine.
For bulking up
If bulking up and gaining weight is your ultimate goal, we recommend XL Nutrition XTRA Mass Gainer to enhance your fitness goals. It’s the perfect choice for muscle gains, containing 1000 calories per serving, 50 grams of protein and 172 grams of carbohydrates.
Ideal for those looking to gain weight but struggling to take in enough calories from food alone. Mass gainer is also great for helping you take on all-important nutrients, and the combination of protein and creatine helps promote recovery.
For improving performance
If you want to run faster or train harder, Creatine Monohydrate from The Health Project is the perfect pick for you. Known to enhance performance and aid recovery, mix a 5-gram scoop into your protein shake or with water before your next workout.
For energy and focus
Invest in XL Nutrition’s The Purge Pre Workout if you want ultimate focus and boundless energy for your workout. Available in a range of great flavours, including Bubblegum, Cola and Cherry Slush, it has a high caffeine content for a workout filled with extreme energy! Take this pre-workout 15 minutes before your workout, but avoid taking it within three hours of your bedtime for the best results.
Shop for your fitness goals and gain momentum at Discount Supplements
Now you know how to reignite and retain your gym motivation, why not shop for your goals at Discount Supplements? Find the best whey protein, pre-workout, creatine, muscle-builders and more from industry-leading brands when you browse the range today.
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