To help you out of a training lull here are our top tips to re-fire or keep your motivation level high long term.

1. Write down your goal and make it SMART

If you want to start feeling motivated, you need the right goals or you’ll never know just how well you’re doing. Here’s a quick guide on how to set some great SMART targets…

Specific – Make sure your goal is clear.
Measurable – If you can’t measure your goal, you’ll never know if you’re improving, on track or have met your target or not.
Achievable – If you can do ten sit-ups now, set a goal for 40 or 50 rather than 1000.
Relevant – Choose goals that will really make a difference. For example, if you want to spend more time outdoors, set a goal of achieving a long or difficult hike.
Timely – A really important part of staying motivated is to give yourself a deadline.

2. Get fit in a way that suits you

Not all of us are inspired by the machines at the gym and that’s fine. A great way to ensure we keep the motivation up is to go for an activity that really we really enjoy. For example, signing up for dance classes might be a great option for you if you like to workout in a group. Or, if competition is more your thing, you could always join your local tennis club and sign up for some lessons. Both are options that will give you a great cardio workout.

3. Keep an exercise diary and write down how your sessions make you feel

This can be a great way to make sure you’re heading in the right direction and get an overview of how your sessions are developing. With a training diary you can see your weekly progress, even if it’s gradual, and help get perspective on how you’re working towards your goals. It’s a great motivational tool when you know that every session you’re putting in is moving you closer to where you want to be.

4. Plan ahead

From time to time, we all find our daily motivation is a bit lacking. It’s not a crime so don’t worry, but to get that extra bit of commitment, you could treat your exercise like an appointment. Make sure you take your exercise clothes to work, change into them as soon as your working day is over, and head to the gym straight from work.

We hope this article has given you a few tips on how to keep that motivation bucket full. We’re fitness enthusiasts so if we’ve feel we’ve helped someone with their workouts then we feel really rewarded and consider it a job well done.