Prevailing wisdom suggests that training isn’t supposed to be fun or fulfilling.

 

Instead, working out is the necessary evil we must endure to get fit, be strong, and lead healthier lives. 

 

Fortunately, that is far from the truth. Fitness should be fun, and you should look forward to upcoming workouts because that is the only true way to stay consistent in the long run.

 

Read on to find out how to find the right balance with your training, get results, and enjoy the process.

 

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

 

We all start somewhere and progress at different speeds. Some people are more gifted than others and see improvements with moderate efforts, whereas others must fight for every kilo on the bench and rep on the squat.

 

If you struggle to make good progress, resist the urge to compare yourself to others. Doing so will only discourage you, bringing out thoughts like, “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”

 

Comparisons can be particularly dangerous on social media because we mostly see other people’s highlights.

 

Do your thing, track your progress, and don’t obsess over other people. You will be much happier.

 

Focus On The Outcome

 

It’s not always possible to enjoy your workouts. For example, you might not feel all that chipper on your fifth heavy set of squats if you’ve had a tough day at work and barely made it to the gym. 

 

In such cases, focus on the actual outcome rather than trying to convince yourself how much you love the process. 

 

Sure, the workout is gruelling, and you can’t wait for it to be over, so you can go home and rest. But rather than obsessing over that, think about the benefits. You’re still doing productive work, leading to muscle and strength gain. 

 

On top of that, you’ve done the right thing by having your workout, which makes you more resilient and better able to handle difficulties in life.

 

Surround Yourself With Great People

 

Have you ever heard the saying that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with? It means that your social circle can significantly impact your mindset, interests, and willingness to work hard.

 

For example, if you’re one of the strongest people in your gym, you might lose the drive to keep working hard. But start training at a powerlifting gym, where a 140-kilo bench is a requirement rather than an achievement, and watch as your motivation to work hard skyrockets.

 

Dig Deep to Find Your ‘Why’

 

Ask the average gym-goer why they train, and you’ll probably hear something like, “I train to look good and be strong.” 

 

At first glance, that is enough to keep a person motivated. But what happens when you face adversity in the form of longer working hours, family emergencies, and similar? Suddenly, the objectives that kept you motivated before are no longer enough.

 

Finding balance, staying consistent in the long run, and enjoying the process require digging deeper and finding your core ‘why.’

 

You might lift weights to look good, but there’s probably more to it. Your core why might relate to your health, well-being, confidence, functionality, or similar.

 

For example, good health could mean, “I train to avoid illness and lead a better, longer life.” 

 

Similarly, functionality could mean, “I want to be strong so that I can handle every physical challenge life throws me.”

 

Need extra help with your training? Book a walkthrough at one of our locations and we’ll have a chat with you about your goals and how we can help you.