How to stay motivated (in home training)

[Djoke]

Hi there,

In the past 1,5 years I have noticed that I find it hard to stay motivated doing my crosstrainer and powerstation workouts at home.
I've tried it with radio, with music and even with tv; but after 2-2,5 weeks I seem to be bored or something, and stop training at home.

Anyone any tips on how to keep training at home fun? And interesting?

Looking forward to yous suggestions!

[WheelieUK]

Have you considered working out with a friend? I found the outside excercise particularly hard when it was cold and wet. With a friend, I managed to maintain the regime daily.Sadly, that friend is now unwell themselves and not able to help me this time around. However, there are other people who are offering support in a number of ways. 🙂

Hope you find a system that works for you.

[Djoke]

Trainings in the Gym, with mostly the same people everytime, is going fine. That's fun! It's just the workouts I should do at home, that are somewhat problematic....

[Djoke]

Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope things improve soon!

[SunsetRunner]

Wishing your friend a speedy recovery @WheelieUK

[WheelieUK]

Thank @SunsetRunner. Unfortunately, the friend has a lifelong chronic condition and does not expect to improve. The best that they can do is to slow the progress of the deterioration. That said, they have a positive attitude and a "can do" attitude. That is the strength of their character. Very inspirational, then and now.

[WheelieUK]

Hi @Djoke, Unfortunately my friend has a chronic, lifelong condition. The best that they can hope for is too slow the progress of the condition as much as possible. That said, they have a "can do" attitude and a very positive outlook on life. I have no doubt that they will fight this condition with all the fight they can muster and continue to be an active member of society for years to come. 🙂

[MeadeRubenstein]

You need to switch things up every 3-6 months (seems like a long time, but fitness is life long).  I switch between 5/3/1 and Texas Method weight lifting programs, then every so often just lift without a plan and then back again.  The most motivating thing I've done in the last couple of years is sign up for trail runs or mud (spartan) races - they give me a reason to work out hard (to prep for the event).  There's no magic once the initial thrill is gone outside of just doing it, especially on those days you really don't want to - just do it.  You'll enjoy the results and your ability to stick it out.

[Taurus21]

YouTube is practically an at home workout library 🙂 A few channels I recommend are Blogilates, Leslie Sansone, BeFit, Natalie Jill Fitness, LivestrongWomen, Ekhart Yoga, and Hasfit. Hope this helps.

[Djoke]

Thanks!! Totally forgot about that. I never thought You Tube might ever be usefull 😉

[Corney]

I do all my workouts at home and find it easier than going to a Gym.  I've said this many times, I exercise today because it felt good yesterday, and will work out tomorrow because it felt good today.  It takes 14 days to establish a habit but only 3 days to break that habit.  I listen to music to alleviate the boredom, but it just comes down to self motivation.  If you see improvement in your fitness level, that can be motivation enough.  I've always exercised alone, running and cycling alone, now working out in my basement alone.  Motivation, for me has never been a problem.

[Djoke]

Wish I could say the same... 🙂

[USAF-Larry]

Fortunately, I am a self-motivated person - probably learned that in the military - and each time I work out I enjoy the benefits of it so much I can't wait to do it again.  I'm a bit slowed down right now due to some serious spine surgery, but am gradually getting the strength built up by walking 3 to 4 miles a day. I do the treadmll at 3mph for and hour 3 days a weeks, and do 3 to 4 mile outside walks the other days.   Prior to my surgery, I was working out 3 days a week at the gym doing treadmill and cardio machine exercises. The doctor credited my physical conditioning with coming through the surgery in such good condition, and the quick recovery.

That said, I have worked with quite a few friends to get them started on fitness, and keep the motivated to keep it up. In almost every case they started out really motivated, but after a couple weeks they started looking for excuses why they couldn't go this day or that day. Each time, we worked through the excuse to get them back out and moving. Afterwards, they always thanked me for getting them off the sofa and outside.  You have to have a long-term goal, and see progress towards that goal - that will keep you motivated.

[SunsetRunner]

I watch old episodes of Top Gear and use Jeremy as motivation, the beer belly!!

[SunsetRunner]

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@Djoke wrote:
Hi there,

In the past 1,5 years I have noticed that I find it hard to stay motivated doing my crosstrainer and powerstation workouts at home.
I've tried it with radio, with music and even with tv; but after 2-2,5 weeks I seem to be bored or something, and stop training at home.

Anyone any tips on how to keep training at home fun? And interesting?

Looking forward to yous suggestions!

---

Training at home is just not interesting.  No one sees the workouts you do and to see how hard you work to maintain a hot body.     

[breakingblue]

When I work out at home I try to make it a game. I try to focus on different out of the box workouts. Honestly, the best workouts ever for me are outside. If at home in my backyard where I can get sunshine and fresh air. When I start feeling unmotivated I go for a walk or run depending on my mood and try to just get in my own zone. Everyone is different though. Maybe try stepping away from the power station and look towards something outside your normal realm that makes you happy while getting in exercise?

[USAF-Larry]

One of the best parts of working out at the gym is People Watching. It is always interesting to see young people starting out, trying to get in shape, and barely able to do any exercises without getting out of breath. And, then, later you see them pushing the machines to the limit. That keeps me motivated!

[Corney]

In business the only thing that motivates an employee is the job itself, everything else de-motivates.  In exercise the only thing that motivates is the exercise program itself, the endorphins and enkephalins, the sense of accomplishment, the reaching a goal you set for yourself.  Why is it important for someone else to see how hard you work out?  It should be enough that you know what you have done.  If exercise was truly fun, gyms would be filled to capacity, you would see runners and bikers everywhere.  Exercise is not fun, but it makes me feel good when it's done.  No one sees me exercise, no one knows how hard I work out, but I don't care, because I do it for myself, for my health and physical and mental wellness.  That should be reason enough!