By
on January 1st, 2021 in General 
Working out at home is a great way to get in a workout while maximizing your time. Whether you are a busy parent or working professional, choosing to do at home workouts means you can often fit a workout in even with the busiest of schedules. Though you absolutely can get a great workout at home, there are some drawbacks to an at-home workout. One of the most challenging aspects of working out from home is that feeling motivated to workout can be a challenge, especially with distractions like the TV or children in your home.
With some planning and effort, there are many things you can do to boost your motivation to workout at home. In this article, we will give you our best tips for staying motivated to work out when you are at home. For more tips on making the most of your at-home workout, see our previous articles “How to Get a Great Cardio Workout at Home” and “How to Make a Home Workout Plan.”
Plan Your Workout
Our first, and one of the most important tips for getting and staying motivated to workout at home is to have a plan. Choose the days you want to workout and outline the workouts you choose to do during that time. By setting a plan for your workout you take the guesswork out of what you will do each day. This means that you spend less time thinking about what you “should” do and feel more motivated to just get what you planned done. Consider scheduling your workouts in your calendar with the link to the video you will follow or details of the routine you have developed for yourself.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Setting yourself up for success means that you take actions ahead of time that will make it easier for you to achieve your workout. If you plan to workout in the morning, set yourself up for success by having your workout clothes laid out the night before. If an evening workout is more your style, choose to do it at a time you know you will commit to, as in not when your favourite TV show is on. Ensure that your equipment is ready and that you have a clear space to do your home workout. By removing barriers to getting your workout done you increase the likelihood that you will actually do it.
Reserve Your Time
This tip is similar to planning your workout but has more to do with respecting your own schedule than getting ready for your workout. Treat the time of day that you choose to workout as if it were a meeting with your boss. Act as if it is something that you cannot miss. Block off your calendar, tell your family you are busy. Make your workout time “your time” and commit to it in the same way you would commit to being on time for work in the morning. Making your workout time non-negotiable will make it easier to stay consistent with. Don’t fall into the mindset that you can do it another time as this will far too easily mean it won’t get done at all.
Make It Fun
Another great way to motivate yourself to workout is to do a workout that you find enjoyable. Everyone likes something different so get creative in determining what you would like to do. Maybe you find dancing workouts fun or possibly you prefer to do weight-training related workouts. Make your workout something that you enjoy doing and consider adopting the mindset that it is something you “get to do” rather than something you have to do. Don’t be afraid to try out different types of workouts to find the one that best suits you and keeps you motivated.
Get Accountability
Having someone cheering you on and waiting to see your face is a great way to stay motivated and accountable for your workouts. By working with a qualified personal trainer, you will find accountability, support, and guidance in reaching your goals. Ultimately whether or not you choose to do a workout is up to you but having someone to cheer you on is a great way to help you stay motivated to continue working out.
Celebrate Your Success
When working out at home it can sometimes be difficult to recognize whether or not you have made progress. But part of staying motivated is recognizing when you have been successful. Doing this reminds you of why you started working out in the first place and will help you to keep focused and motivated even when you feel that your motivation is lacking. Consider listing your successes no matter how small they are and use them to motivate you towards doing your workouts at home.
Some examples of successes you can celebrate when working out at home are:
- Ability to complete a workout you previously found difficult
- Changes in physical appearance
- Track record of staying consistent, even when you didn’t want to
- Ability to lift a heavier weight than when you started
Understand It Is OK to Not Always Feel Motived
Working out from home can sometimes feel challenging when you are lacking motivation. Try to remember that it is normal to not feel motivated all of the time. Sometimes you may need to choose to do an at-home workout even when you don’t feel motivated at all. If you have implemented our above tips, your motivation may be less important than your commitment to yourself.
Never be afraid to reach out for help with motivation and accountability with your fitness journey. Sometimes joining a class or trying a new skill like boxing can be a great way to boost both your enjoyment of working out and motivation levels. Consider reaching out to Grants MMA & Boxing Gym if you need help with making the most of your at-home workouts. We are here to help you find success with working out both within and outside of our gym.
