So it's January. A lot of you will be thinking you need to get your gear together this year and do some more exercise. Maybe you're taking up yoga, or ultimate frisbee, or you're joining that Zumba class you hear blaring through the village hall walls every Tuesday evening. Yes, maybe you're doing those things or maybe, like many decide to do (me included), you're gonna join that thing called The Gym. Uh-huh. That's right. The big building full of machines to move your body on and stretch various muscles that you never knew existed because you've been eating what you like all your life, staying comfortable and haven't wanted to go running every day.
We can all relate to this.
So I've jotted down the following tips to create a lovely short deliciously golden summary of the ways in which you can actually motivate yourself to GO to the gym:
1. Buy a gym membership. Do it. Even if it's just for one month, or a cheeky free trial is offered at your local gym, make sure you sign up. It's surprising how much this motivates you to go (especially when you splash out the dolla').
We can all relate to this.
So I've jotted down the following tips to create a lovely short deliciously golden summary of the ways in which you can actually motivate yourself to GO to the gym:
1. Buy a gym membership. Do it. Even if it's just for one month, or a cheeky free trial is offered at your local gym, make sure you sign up. It's surprising how much this motivates you to go (especially when you splash out the dolla').
2. On your induction, make a mental map of the places where you want to work out in the gym. And the changing rooms. That way, when you arrive for your super-duper workout with super high-tech shorts and a fabulous shiny water bottle, you'll know exactly where to go and feel uber-confident.
3. Speaking of super shorts, make sure you're super comfortable in what you wear to the gym. It doesn't have to cost lots or look amazing (seriously, people who look amazing in the gym really aren't trying hard enough). Just make sure you have a loose top in which you won't get too hot when you're properly working out. Oh, and some shorts/leggings/tracksuit bottoms too. No underwear in the gym, people. Trainers are the thing to get the most right - invest in some that support your feet as much as possible in order to avoid unwanted injuries/aches and pains the next day. JD Sports and Sports Direct often have good deals in their sales, and provide footwear for high arches and low arches (like me).
4. Create an ultimate get-pumped playlist. For those of us that like to workout to the sound of the music playing in the gym or the rhythm of ten pairs of feet thudding on treadmills, this tip isn't for you. Please gallantly move onto the next one. Okay HELLO - YOU want to get musically gymically (?!) creative, that is correct? Well, my friend, with the beautiful help of Spotify and their newly free app even for people without Spotify Premium, we are able to create our own playlists and listen to them whilst running/rowing/cross-trainer-ing etc etc. I've called my collaborative one with my distant but present-in-spirit besto gym buddy (MRH) 'ULTIMATE GYM'. Short, sweet and to the point. What I'd advise when creating your playlist is you add songs that you genuinely like to listen to and know you won't get bored of. These songs also need to be exercise-able to. For example, I like to use the treadmill but I can't run in time to Bon Iver, beautiful as his soft subtle voice is, so this is a much better, and up-beat, alternative. Don't be afraid to put some slower ones on the list too - warm ups and warm downs are essential.
5. Push yourself, but not TOO far. It's always good to push towards your limits, but once you're near them, don't go over. You do not want to be passing out in a gym. Especially on a moving piece of exercising equipment. By avoiding this, you'll remember each gym session as a positive revitalising experience instead of some kind of hell you never want to return to. You also don't want to injure yourself by going too crazy with the weights. You are not Mike Tyson. Unless you are, in which case, hello how do you do Mr Mike.
6. If you go prepared, you'll be fine. And if not, you'll be fine too. Take that 20p or 50p or £1 for the lockers. Easy, and if you forget one just head to reception to rent a coin or ask someone else in the changing rooms for a little coin lovin'. Take that water bottle - water is beautiful and having it during and after that hardcore sesh will get you through. If you forget that, just buy a bottle of water from the vending machine or ask the reception for a spare bottle/drinking receptacle. Chill. All will be healthy and spectacular.
7. Make a schedule. When it's time to go to the gym, and you don't want to go, don't lie to yourself and pretend that your Netflix marathon of American Horror Story was pre-booked for then. GO. TV is a beautiful thing and is available 24/7 thanks to the inter-web. This does make the hole of procrastination horribly simple to fall into but we are in control of our minds and our bodies and we need to take responsibility for our fitness levels. Let's push back Netflix until we're all cosy in our pyjamas and then we can really cherish it. Fitness comes first. (Once you've mastered key yoga sequences, you can watch things at the same time. Great, eh? In-between gym sessions of course).
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| This GIF represents you after your next exercise sesh. |
I hope you're already there. WORKIN' IT. My membership at my uni one starts on Wednesday - I'll keep you posted.
Rhiannon x
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