As 2020 turned into 2021, many Americans considered what their wishes and goals for the coming year would be. According to one survey, the number one New Year's resolution for Americans was doing more exercise and improving their fitness.
Whether getting in shape and focusing on building muscle was your New Year's resolution or it's been a more recent revelation, making the choice to start working out is an honorable goal that supports your health while also helping you look your best.
Sometimes, though, it can be hard to find motivation for the gym when you've got so much else going on in your life.
Are you looking for ways to help you get amped up to get in shape? Let's take a look at some tips you can use to get psyched to get strong.
Set Small Goals
Sometimes we lose motivation simply because we don't break our overarching goals into smaller, more actionable goals. If you're finding it hard to get yourself to the gym every day, consider setting small goals that can help you recognize the progress that you're making.
Understand the Health Benefits of Building Muscle
One of the best ways for finding motivation for muscle building is understanding the long list of benefits you'll enjoy as you get stronger.
Getting strong is more than just about looking good. When you build and maintain muscle, you're actually engaging in one of the most important aspects of long-term health and longevity.
Firstly, muscles of course build strength and stamina. This can have an awesome impact on your everyday life, making the normal stair-climbing, grocery bag lifting, and children carrying a total breeze.
Building muscle also helps to support the health of your joints. Joint health is absolutely essential, especially as you get older, to helping to prevent injuries that could force you to sit on the sidelines for a while.
Some of the other health benefits of building muscle include:
- Helps you control body fat
- Helps to improve bone health
- Helps to manage blood sugar
- Can help to boost your mood and emotional state
- Helps with posture
- Boosts self-confidence
Understanding the health implications of getting in shape can help you find the motivation you're looking for.
Train With a Partner
Sometimes all you need is a buddy to help motivate you when you're getting into shape. When you work out with someone, you have someone to share your progress with as well as someone to help keep you accountable. It's way easier to get out of bed and head to the gym early in the morning when you know someone else is expecting to meet you there.
Keep Track of Your Progress
Consider keeping track of your progress to help you visualize the gains you've made. It will also prove to be a valuable resource as it will help you figure out what is working for you and what isn't so much. Record the workouts you do every day and your max lifts and you'll find motivation for the gym is easy to come by.
Use the Power of Images
When you're making incremental progress over time, sometimes it's hard to realize just how far you've come. Consider taking pictures of yourself at specific intervals (for example, every week or every two weeks) so that you can see how much progress you've made. It can be psychologically really helpful to know that the work you're doing is amounting to real physical changes, and photos can help you see that reality.
You can also use the gains of others to help motivate you. Check out before and after pictures online of people who have gotten healthy and fit. It's important to do this when you're in the right mindset, though. Use other peoples' successes as something that inspires you rather than something you use to feel down about your own fitness.
Listen to Your Favorite Music
If you aren't listening to music while you're working out, it's time to start. It's incredible how music can help get you in the zone and change your mood and mindset. Play around with the right type of workout music for you, as some people might prefer high-energy music, and others might appreciate something more low-key.
Reward Yourself
When you totally kicked butt at the gym, take the opportunity to reward yourself for a job well done. Consider getting some more lifting equipment to help support your workout efforts, such as wrist wraps, knee wraps, or ankle straps.
Think Positively
Your mindset is probably the most important thing you have in your arsenal when it comes to building muscle. Believing that you can and will meet your goals will lead to an easier workout.
Building Muscle Is Easier With Better Gear
As you can see, there are a lot of ways for finding the motivation to get stronger, get in shape, get fit, and look your best.
Remember, though, sometimes you lose motivation because you've been overdoing it. There's no shame in taking a rest day or even a rest week if that's what your body's asking for. Recovering from workouts is just as important as the workouts themselves, so make sure you're giving your body the time it needs to rest and recover.
If you've been struggling to do your daily workouts, consider that you might need a gear upgrade to let you focus on what's important during your lifting session. Check out these weight lifting hooks to help increase your grip and shift your weight for deadlifts and other everyday workouts.