Did you know that only 23% of people use gym memberships consistently (Lake)? I know there have been plenty of days that I “wanted” to go to the gym but couldn’t seem to get myself there. When you find the extra time in your busy life, you might not always be motivated to go to the gym. Whether it’s dressing for the gym or selecting the right songs, here are 5 ways to get motivated for the gym!

1. Dress for the Gym

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It’s as easy as putting a sweatshirt and a pair of sweatpants on. According to The New York Times, dressing for the part, which in this case is the gym, can help you to get motivated to go through with the task at hand. Sometimes a sweatshirt isn’t just a sweatshirt; it’s workout gear that’ll help get you out the door and into the gym. Another helpful tip would be to get comfortable shoes. The more comfortable you are at the gym, the better your workout is. However, if you’re someone who would rather look good (hair styled, floral leggings, etc.) than be in an oversized sweatshirt, then you may want to dress up. Your preference of clothing will make you the most comfortable!

2. Get a Buddy

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From personal experience, when someone else is pushing you, you try harder and stay more focused. Due to feeling that someone else is counting on you, you’ll also be less likely to skip any workout sessions. However, there’s the occasional feeling of your workout buddy being a goof, which is where joining classes or fitness groups are an excellent choice. The Wellness Center luckily offers students, staff and others a variety of different classes. If you’re interested, checkout their website, Facebook page or stop in and give them a visit.

3. Create a Motivating Playlist

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For me, music helps cut off any distractions at the gym. If I’m trying to do a workout out and talkative Tim walks in, I have a good excuse not to talk to him because I have my headphones in. If you use a music app, there are usually playlists already made for your workout. Don’t like some of the songs? Create your own motivating playlist! Another great advantage to listening to music during your workout is that it can improve your workout. Studies show that faster-paced music tends to help improve athletic performance because of the tempo having more beats per minute (Markell). In conclusion, don’t listen to any sad songs or you’re going to have a sad workout.

4. Find an Exercise That Works for You

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Your workout session is your creation. If there’s a workout that doesn’t work for you, don’t do it! From personal experience, I like to use apps on my phone to try different workouts to see what I like the best. If you’re still stuck and don’t know any workouts to do, the Wellness Center has trainers that are more than happy to help you! My first time at the gym I went around and tried every machine in the building and then decided which ones I like the best. Only for half of the workout I would do the machines and then I would go use other resources like the yoga balls for crunches or the foam rolls to stretch on. If you’re not a big fan of using machines, there’s always the accessibility of using a gym to play basketball or volleyball in, that’s still a workout! #MakeThoseCavsBurn

5. Think Results!

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If the end goal is to get that summer bod then visualize your summer bod but know that results won’t happen overnight. Think of it this way, the more you show up to the gym the closer you are to reaching your goal! If you skip a gym day, your summer bod goal might take longer. Ultimately, your goals should drive and motivate you to be determined to show up to the gym. Another good way to get results is to reward yourself. I’m not talking about eating an entire chocolate cake by yourself; trust me, it doesn’t help! The reward should be more like having a girls/guy’s night with your friends or going to an amusement park. These rewards are good ways to get the results you want and the motivation you’re looking for.

Author Bio

My name is Rylee Gabel and I’m currently a student at Western Technical College in the Marketing Management and Digital Marketing programs. I also played volleyball and basketball for Western Tech. As a student athlete, I understand the potential lack of motivation when it comes to working out!

Works Cited

Blakeslee, Sandra. “Mind Games: Sometimes a White Coat Isn’t Just a White Coat.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 3 Apr. 2012, www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science/clothes-and-self-perception.html.

Lake, Rebecca. “23 Gym Membership Statistics That Will Astound You.” CreditDonkey, CreditDonkey, 26 Feb. 2020, www.creditdonkey.com/gym-membership-statistics.html.

Markell, Jenny. “Can Listening to Music Improve Your Workout?” National Center for Health Research, 4 May 2017, www.center4research.org/can-listening-music-improve-workout/.