What to do when you don’t feel like working out:
It is one of those days when the last thing you feel like doing is working out… You get yourself to the gym and you are just not into it. We have all had these days, and there are guaranteed to be more of them.
The question is, how do you still get after it and get in a great workout when you feel like this? Take a look below and try some of these tactics to ensure you get the most out of your time at the gym:
1. Keep it short but intense:
Doing a 10-12 minute very intense workout will beat a mediocre 45-minute workout any day of the week. So if you are unmotivated to workout, plan out a short 10-20 minute workout but keep it very intense. We can all do something for 10 minutes no matter how bad or tired we may feel.
2. Start with an energizer
There have been many times when I head out for a workout and don’t feel like doing anything that day. However once I get to the gym, I find my focus. For me, starting with some heavy deadlifting always gets be going! Find an exercise that makes you feel energized and start with that. Once you have the energy, it is easy to push through the rest of the workout.
3. Go light, but not “light”
It is very tough to lift heavy when you don’t feel like it. So instead, focus on doing more bodyweight exercises and exercises using lighter weights for higher reps. You are still keeping your workouts intense, but you are keeping the weights on the lighter side.
4. Bring a friend
Nothing can motivate you more than a friend or loved one. Rarely will there be days when both you and your workout partner won’t feel like working out. Back in college, there was never a day that I couldn’t go hard in the weight room. I had two great friends that I lifted with everyday, and we were always pushing each other to get better.
A great way to get fired up for a lifting session is to start some trash talk or competition. Nothing will light the fire to get you going like a little friendly competition!
5. Get a playlist
Music can always have an effect on the mood you are in. There are some days when you can workout to classical music and still get a massive workout in. But other days when you aren’t so fired up, you need a “go to” playlist to get you going.
6. Have fun with it
Having fun is a key to getting healthy. There is nothing worse than someone that dreads going to the gym everyday. If this is you, I am very sorry and something needs to drastically change. Many times the reason people don’t find working out fun is because they are not seeing results. If this is you, change your plan so you can start getting the results you desire.
Working out is supposed to be fun, so be sure to have fun while doing it. Look at each rep and each set as a challenge and get after it. Also, make sure you throw in some “fun” workout days every few weeks. This means just throwing in a completely different workout routine than you normally do.
For example, a straight kettlebell workout is always very fun for me or a full bodyweight circuit is something I enjoy. Find something fun and give it a try!
7. Read this interview!
If there is a day you don’t feel like working out, go read this interview and tell me you are not inspired to get to the gym!
8. Go read through these motivational fitness quotes
Get inspired by clicking HERE!
9. Push through
Many times just getting focused and pushing through the workout is what needs to be done. Get focused for that short period of time and don’t stop until you have hit that last rep or set.
If you want to get fit, your mindset is going to play a key role in helping you get there. So get focused, get motivated, and get things done!
If worst comes to worst…
Miss your workout. Although this should be a rarity, if you absolutely must miss a workout feel free to do so and don’t beat yourself up about it.
Just miss it and move on. Don’t dwell on the fact that you missed the workout. Go enjoy your day and let your body recover to come back stronger the next day.
If missing workouts becomes a consistent pattern, that’s when you need to reevaluate, knowing that something is wrong!
Every workout is not going to be perfect, so it is up to you to make the most of it. How are you going to respond the next time you don’t feel like working out?
Questions or Comments?
I would love to hear your feedback below!
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My question is if you still get a workout even if you don’t feel a burning feeling in the area your working out. I think 1 reason why some people aren’t motivated are because they just don’t feel the burn like they used to. Like a while ago I got a real big burning feeling when I did bicycle crunches but today I did the same workout and even did like 20 more than last time but only felt a fraction of the burning feeling. The feeling of getting nowhere really ruins your motivation. So if you could answer “if you still get a workout even if you don’t feel the burning feeling like when you first started”. That would be great thanks.
If you feel your workouts are not challenging you, you need to bump up the intensity. Visit this article for some ideas on how to bump up the intensity: http://bodyfitformula.com/five-ways-to-change-up-your-workout-routine/
Thanks. Ill give it a shot. Hopefully ill get the kind of workout I had when I first started.