Get Inspired to Exercise: How to Stay Motivated

How to Get Motivated to Work Out: Find the Inspiration You Need to Achieve Your Dream Body

There are days when even the thought of putting on your cross-training shoes and workout clothes feels impossible. When the alarm goes off, all you want to do is hit "snooze" and stay in bed all day.

Motivation to work out varies from person to person, so it's essential to discover what drives you to reach your fitness goals. Explore these 12 tips to stay inspired, maintain your workout routine, and achieve the body you've always wanted.

Some of these tips are backed by science, while others are simple common sense. Try them out and stick with the ones that work best for you.

6 Essential Workout Motivation Tips to Achieve Your Dream Body

1. Get Dressed for a Successful Workout

Sometimes, you need an extra boost of workout inspiration to achieve the body you’ve always dreamed of.

There are days when it’s hard to even look at your workout gear when the alarm goes off—you might just want to hit "snooze" and stay in bed. But finding what motivates you to stay on track is essential for reaching your fitness goals.

Explore these 12 tips to stay inspired and maintain your workout routine. Some are backed by science, while others are practical and intuitive. Try them out and see which ones work best for you.

Even if you don’t feel like working out, dress as if you’re heading to the gym or going for a run. Putting on your training shoes and activewear sends a clear message that it’s time to exercise.

This strategy is a bit of a "fake it until you make it" approach, but it can help overcome the motivation barrier and get you moving.

2. Don’t Hesitate to Take a Break When Necessary

If you’re feeling a dip in motivation to work out, your body might be signaling a deeper issue. Wellness experts suggest that a lack of inspiration could indicate overtraining.

Address this by taking a break from your regular gym routine. Keep moving but at a slower pace and consider incorporating alternative workouts. Allow yourself some time to practice different activities, and when the break is over, you can return to your exercise program refreshed.

3. Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Your Workouts

Having broad goals like "losing weight" or "getting fit" is a start, but they don’t fully align with the S.M.A.R.T. framework, which can help you achieve these larger objectives more effectively.

S.M.A.R.T. goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Short-term S.M.A.R.T. goals could include lowering your belt size by one notch in three weeks or reducing your resting heart rate by five beats per minute within four weeks.

4. Vary Your Workouts

Sticking to the same workout routine can lead to stagnation and frustration. To avoid this common mistake, use a cross-training approach and mix up your exercise regimen. Incorporate outdoor activities like running, swimming, or cycling a couple of times a week, and vary your gym workouts to keep things interesting.

5. Incorporate Meaningful Rewards

Choose something you love and integrate it into your workout routine. If you enjoy listening to music or other audio while exercising, try exploring a new streaming music channel and only listen to it during your workouts.

If you prefer podcasts or audiobooks, use the same approach. By associating your interests with exercise, you'll boost your motivation and make workouts more enjoyable.

6. Maximize Your Investment

Some people are motivated by financial incentives. If you've invested in a gym membership or fitness program, remind yourself that each workout reduces the cost per visit, making it a worthwhile investment.

The same applies to hiring a personal trainer. Not only will a trainer help increase your motivation, but you'll also want to get the best value from each session.

Consider rewarding yourself with a small amount of money for each workout. Save the money in a jar and treat yourself to something special after a few weeks of consistent exercise.