How to Banish a Bout of Winter Gym Apathy
From time to time, we all will suffer a bout of bothersome gym apathy. You know the score – you plan to hit the gym at least three or four times this week, only to find a creative excuse to avoid stepping out the door. Needless to say, the whole thing becomes all the more prevalent during the winter.
If the above sounds familiar, don’t feel too bad about it. Ask any personal trainer and they’ll tell you the same – it happens to just about everyone. The difference being that while some accept winter gym apathy for what it is, others make the effort to confront it head-on.
The good news is that there’s plenty you can do to banish gym apathy right through to the spring. So if you’re already formulating weird and wonderful excuses for the week ahead, here’s how to give your motivation to work out a nudge in the right direction:
1. Break the Routine
In some instances, a strict and regimented gym schedule can be a good thing. In others, it makes things more difficult (and boring) than they need to be. If you simply cannot drag yourself to the gym on a cold, dark and rainy Monday morning, why not head out after work? Or maybe during your lunch break? Truth is, your summer workout schedule might not be compatible with the worst of the winter weather. So feel free to try changing things up a bit.
2. Strength In Numbers
One of the best ways of staying motivated to exercise throughout the winter is to join forces with at least one other person. There’s strength in numbers – two or more of you means there’s always someone there to motivate you to get the job done. You won’t want to let them down, they will not want to let you down and there is nothing wrong with a little friendly rivalry. The social aspect of partnering-up can also enhance your enjoyment of hitting the gym, however depressing the weather may be.
3. Establish Realistic Goals
When motivation is low, the importance of establishing achievable goals increases significantly. You need to feel as if you are working towards something you can actually achieve, rather than punishing yourself with no light at the end of the tunnel. Always remember that it doesn’t necessarily have to be about looks, weight loss or anything superficial. Your goal could simply be to ensure you exercise for a minimum of 3 hours in total each week. In the absence of established goals, you’ll find it difficult to stay motivated.
4. Reward Yourself
Likewise, it’s a good idea to regularly reward yourself for a job well done. If you’re making the effort to hit the gym when your brain and body are telling you not to, surely you deserve a reward…right? Just ensure that the rewards you commit yourself are only doled out if you actually hit your targets (see above)!
5. Hire a Trainer
Last up, hiring a personal trainer isn’t only about exercising under the watch of a professional. It’s also about the motivation, encouragement and nurturing you’ll need to stick with your program long-term. At the right time, the coaching and support provided by a personal trainer really can make all the difference. Helpful throughout the year – worth its weight in gold during the relentless gloom of the Great British winter!
For the help and support you need for an active, healthy and happy winter, find your perfect personal trainer in your Didsbury today.
