Keeping Your Fitness FUN!

One of the most challenging things in fitness is learning to enjoy it over the long haul. Not everyone loves workouts or exercising—and that’s something more personal trainers and coaches need to recognize—so it’s important that we have tools in our toolkit to make exercise more enjoyable.

My goal with this article is to give you some options for when things start to feel dull in your workouts!

Option 1: The People

Why Your Workout Company Matters

Who you surround yourself with during workouts can make a big difference. If you’re always exercising alone or don’t enjoy the atmosphere of your current gym or class, it might be time to switch things up.

Ways to Change It Up

• If you’ve been a loner, try joining a group class, inviting a friend or co-worker, or even switching gyms for a new culture.

• If you’re always in large group classes, consider going with just a buddy, training solo, or trying small-group personal training.

Option 2: The Training Itself

Mixing Up Your Routine

While performance-based training is highly effective for most people—helping us move better, feel stronger, and reduce injury risk—it’s not the only way to stay active.

Practical Adjustments

If your routine feels stale, consider:

• Trying a new training style.

• Swapping out some of your regular exercises.

It doesn’t need to be frequent, but switching things up a few times a year can help refresh your motivation without hurting your progress.

Option 3: The Motivator

The Role of Motivation

Motivation naturally comes and goes, and staying energized about training can be tough. For some, competition provides the extra spark needed to keep workouts exciting.

Ideas for Competitive Push

• Sign up for races (5K, 10K, etc.)

• Try lifting competitions, tournaments, or other athletic events

⚠️ A Note of Caution: If you’re highly competitive, you may fall into the trap of only finding joy in exercise when there’s something to win. In that case, you may either:

1. Continuously sign up for competitions (which can get expensive and unsustainable), or

2. Do some internal work to cultivate enjoyment in the process itself, not just the outcome.

Concluding Thoughts

I’ve discovered new ways of re-energizing my workouts every year since I started training, and the options keep growing! From new group fitness formats to home workout programs to ever-evolving technology, there’s no shortage of ways to keep things fun.

The key is dedicating yourself to the process long enough to enjoy not only the results, but also the challenges, the variety, and the people you meet along the way.