Losing your motivation in the gym is so common and you’re certainly not alone. However, there are so many things you can do to get it back again!
When we get stuck in a routine, we can get bored and stop seeing the progress that we want to see. With a few simple changes, you will feel energised and actually excited to be going to the gym!
So, let’s find out how you can do this to help you see the results you want and to help you live a healthier lifestyle.
Add A Rest Day
The first thing you should do if you feel you have lost motivation to go to the gym is to add an extra rest day. If you are training too much, you’re naturally going to feel tired and you won’t get the most out of your workouts, which of course will cause a drop in motivation. So, to make a positive change, add one extra rest day. Instead of working out 6 days try working out 5, or instead of 4 days try working out 3. You will likely find you get so much more out of your workouts, and you will have more energy, which will get you better results.
Use your rest day to go for a nice walk and get some fresh air, maybe a short bike ride or some yoga at home if you want. Or use the day to rest completely! Perhaps break up your workouts with this day, so maybe train Monday and Tuesday, have a rest day, and then train again on Thursday and Friday. Find a routine that works for you but adding a rest day really can transform your workouts.
Get Yourself A New Outfit
This one might sound trivial but getting yourself a new gym outfit can be just what you need to get back in the gym! If you don’t like your gym wear, it doesn’t make you feel good, you don’t feel supported or you don’t feel confident, of course, you won’t want to go to the gym. So, head online and get yourself a new sports bra that fits properly and is supportive. Get yourself a new pair of womens gym leggings that are completely squat proof, so you don’t feel self-conscious. Invest in some new trainers that are really comfortable and help you get the most out of your workouts.
Overall, although there is more to getting motivated again than a new outfit, sometimes it is just what you need!
Try New Exercises
For those of you who go into the gym and do the same exercises week in, week out, it’s probably time to refresh your routine and try some new exercises. You should switch up your workouts every 6 weeks to make sure you continue to test your muscles and see progress.
So, you will likely keep some core exercises, such as leg press on leg day or chest press on chest day. This is a good thing as you can keep increasing the weight and see long-term progress. Aside from the 2-3 exercises you keep consistent, add 1-2 more to your routine that you switch up regularly. This might be changing your stance when squatting or lunging, using a new leg machine that you haven’t used before, changing the incline you use when doing different exercises, or using free weights instead of machines.
Not only will this help to keep your body on its toes, but you will also feel mentally refreshed when you are doing something new! Take inspiration online for your new exercises or take advantage of customer incentives like free personal training sessions and you will notice progress like never before.
Switch Up Your Nutrition
When you aren’t eating properly but you’re training hard in the gym, you will probably feel very tired, and you won’t be able to fully enjoy your workouts. So, if this sounds like you, you might need to look at your diet outside of the gym! Make sure that you are eating enough protein (about 1 gram of protein for every pound you weigh), you are consuming healthy carbohydrates to give your body the energy it needs, and you are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables to give your body the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to function to the best of its ability.
Changing your diet for the gym can be a challenge, but there are lots of blogs and social media accounts out there dedicated specifically to helping people eat the foods they should be to support their fitness journey and see the results they’ve been looking for. When you change your diet, your mindset in the gym can also completely change.
Spend More Time Outside
Our final tip to help you feel more motivated in the gym is to spend more time outside. If you’re training 5 days a week in the gym, especially in the summer months, it is going to feel very repetitive. So, get creative and swap one of your gym days for outdoor activity. This could be something as simple as a fast walk or run, or try something new like tennis, outdoor swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding!
Taking a day away from the gym to get some fresh air will not only be good for the body but also the mind, and you will notice you feel much more motivated on the days you are training in the gym. Not everyone likes being outdoors, but it can be so revitalising, so it is definitely worth a try.
