It’s that time of the year again when many of us are wondering why that new year’s fitness resolution hasn’t happened yet. Or maybe we’ve started it but are beginning to wonder how long we can keep it up for?
The simple fact is it doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, setting a fitness goal is one thing but making it happen and keeping it up is another.
During my 30 years as a fitness instructor, I’ve helped hundreds of people lose weight and shape-up. During that time, I’ve learned that the people who do it successfully are those who can find what keeps them motivated. Being motivated isn’t just something you’ve either got or not, it’s something where you need to discover what works for you.
So whether you’ve “not got around to it yet” or are not sure how long you’ll keep it up, here are my top 5 tips to find and keep your fitness motivation.
1. Make it fun
One of the biggest excuses I see people say is that “I don’t enjoy exercise”. If that’s the case, then you’ve just not found the right way of doing it for you!
Exercise can be loads of fun if you find something you enjoy. Things have moved a long way from your 80s style aerobics and run-of-the-mill gym. At YMCA we have night-clubbing inspired classes like RumPum complete with pumping music and lighting, to Align & Define, our yoga-style class and FightinFit, our martial-arts style class. These classes are designed to be enjoyable!
Our new cycle studio also hosts standard spinning classes along with the fully immersive cinema-scale cycle class, THE TRIP, which is a 40-minute ride through stunning digitally created worlds. The visuals are proven to distract you from the ‘hard’ part of the exercise, helping you enjoy it more and work harder – for what feels like less effort. We also have the new Easy Ride class that’s a great way to get into indoor cycling if you’re new to it. Did we also mention that our gym cardio machines are equipped with Netflix and Spotify?
2. Make the time
Another common excuse I see for people not exercising is that they “don’t have the time.”
The reality is most of us do have the time, we just need to find it. Sit down and look at your week, grab a pen and paper or use your phone’s calendar app. If you’re struggling, ask yourself if there’s anything in your routine you can change?
At YMCA Plymouth we have a huge timetable of classes to suit all kinds of schedules. Take a look and see where you can fit something in. Don’t forget we’re open from 6.30am with early classes and the gym during weekdays. Having a fixed routine and appointment is also crucial for holding yourself to account, so putting it in that calendar is guaranteed to improve your chances of showing up.
3. Make it Social
Friends and family can be great motivators – we know it’s far easier to do something together. Why not combine your social calendar with your workout routine? You can also pick up one of our free class vouchers from reception and give it to a friend to encourage them! Plus, you’ll meet some great new people at one of our classes or in the gym.
4. Make it Varied
We often lose motivation when we feel bored with our routine. You’ll find 16 different types of classes at YMCA, as well as a huge variety of kit in our gym. Many classes or pieces of kit can in fact give similar types of workouts but just in a different way. So don’t be afraid to mix it up and try something different.
5. Make it Strong
One of the most neglected parts of training, especially for women, is strength training. When most of us think about losing weight or fitness we usually go straight for the cardio routine. Many women also think strength training will make them bulky, which is actually a common misconception. Making moderate strength exercise as part of your routine will yield huge benefits. These include reducing your chance of injury, improving mobility, and yes, helping you lose fat too!
Strength-focused classes like BodyPump are great for toning up, as well as classes like Legs, Bums & Tums.
I hope you find these tips useful. Remember if you’re not a member at YMCA Plymouth yet we have no joining fee on our class memberships for the rest of February! If you want a look around first, contact us and one of our instructors will gladly show you around our new gym.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
