If you’ve been to the gym this week, you’ve probably noticed that it’s more crowded than usual. But give it a few weeks, and many of the New Year’s resolution crowd will have disappeared. While it’ll be great to have the gym back at normal capacity, it’s unfortunate that many of these people will have given up on exercising.
From my experience, the best way to stick with a workout is to find something you enjoy doing. In high school, I ran cross-country, but sometimes I was better at coming up with a reason not to run than actually running. Eventually I discovered that I love zoning out to music on the elliptical and lifting weights. It took a lot of trial and error, but I finally discovered fitness activities that I like. And for the past three-plus years, I’ve gotten to the point where I enjoy exercising so much that if I miss more than two days, I feel antsy.
Here are some tips I’ve discovered for finding the fitness routine that’s best for you:
1. Experiment with different gym buddies. If you’re used to heading to the gym alone, drag a friend along. If you can’t convince a friend, try a group class. Sometimes having other people around can serve as motivation.On the flip side, if working out in front of a crowd stresses you out, try following along to a YouTube video.
2. Don’t be afraid to buck the trends. I’ve tried several types of yoga at several different studios. I want to like it since it’s so popular, but I finally realize that it’s just not my thing.
3. Be persistent. If you don’t like yoga, try zumba. If you don’t like running, try the elliptical. You may have to try out dozens of exercises, but keep going until you find something that makes you burst into a sweaty smile.
4. Ask for help. One of the hardest parts of going to the gym can be feeling like you don’t know what you’re doing. Try asking someone who works there for a tour, or consider hiring a personal trainer for just one session.
5. Ignore everyone else. When you’re new to the gym you can’t help but feel like everyone’s staring at you. Unless you drop a weight or fall off the treadmill, I can assure you they’re not. Most people at the gym are far too busy looking at someone more important – themselves. Whether for vanity or for safety, there’s a reason most gyms are covered in mirrors.
6. Have a goal in mind. It’s important to figure out why you want to work out in the first place. Working out just because you think you should exercise probably isn’t going to get you going. Instead pick a reason – relieving stress, losing weight, or improving your health are all great goals. But you can also pick an activity based on your target – take zumba to learn some new dance moves, or try yoga to improve your balance. If you know why you’re exercising, you’re more likely to stick with it.
7. Bonus tip for once you’ve finally found your activity: Pack your gym clothes. If I plan on going to the gym after class, I bring my gym clothes with me. That way I can head straight to the gym, rather than have to go home to change and end up surfing the web from my couch.
A happy and healthy new year to all!