THE PULSE

Some days, you’re PUMPED to get to the club and crush your workout. Other days… not so much. So, what should you do when you know you SHOULD work out, but you’re just not feeling it?

First, make sure you’re not just tired—if you’ve been pushing it hard all week and you’re dreading your next workout, that might be your body asking for a rest day (or an active rest day!). If you’re well-rested and just lacking in the motivation department, try some of the tips below.

1. Find what you love

Maybe you’ve been told that HIIT is the best way to get in shape, or that you should be running a mile every day. The truth is, the best workout is the one you’ll actually do. In-Shape has so many different workouts available, so experiment until you find ones you can’t wait to try again. Whether that’s Zumba, BODYPUMP, swimming, or lifting heavy in the weight room, find the workouts that make you happy.
 

2. Try the 10-minute rule

If you have a workout planned but just can’t muster the motivation to do it, start with the first 10 minutes. When you’ve finished those ten, ask yourself: can I keep going? The answer is usually yes. If it’s a no, you still get all the brownie points for showing up. And since you’re already at the club, you can treat yourself to time in the sauna or hot tub.
 

3. Make it easy

The night before your workout, do everything you can to remove obstacles in your way. Choose your workout clothes and set them out. Pack your gym bag and put your keys on top. Do anything you can to make it extra easy for yourself in the morning (or whenever you work out) so you can get out the door before life gets in the way.
 

4. Track your progress

One great way to stay motivated is noticing how you feel when you move your body. Write down or tell a friend how you feel right after you complete a workout. Do you feel proud of yourself, or energized? Are you enjoying those exercise endorphins? When you find workouts that regularly make you feel good, notice that—and add more of those workouts to your routine.

You can also track the way exercise is changing your body. In-Shape members can get InBody scans for free—so don’t miss out. This body composition scanner will show you percentages of muscle, fat and water in your body (in just 45 seconds) so you can keep an eye on your progress.
 

5. Reward yourself

We all love a treat now and again, so why not use that to your advantage? Do a little online window-shopping and pick out some gear—maybe new workout clothes, a fitness tracker, new shoes, a new gym bag… then set goals you have to hit in order to buy from your wish list. Maybe you could commit to working out 3x a week for a month—those 12 check-ins would also reward you with a FIT CLUB prize, on us.