How to Improve Motivation for Strength Training

It’s quite simple actually.

Just ask yourself these three basic questions:

 

1. Am I Having Fun?

If you answered “yes,” move on to the next question.

If you answered “no,” make adjustments to your training plan until it becomes something fun and enjoyable.

Because, we aren’t motivated to do things that aren’t fun and enjoyable.

If we were, nobody would gripe and moan about doing yard work, taking out the trash, doing dishes, or standing in line for three hours waiting for their number to be called at the DMV.

We all know that’s not the case (the DMV freakin blows), and we also know that the things we ARE motivated to do – the things we don’t have to fight ourselves on – are the things we find most entertaining and enjoyable.

Your training not enjoyable?

Well, that’s probably why you’re not motivated to do it.

Figure out a way to make training fun.

Once you do, your motivation will absolutely skyrocket.

 

2. Am I Making Progress?

Did you answer, “yes?”

Move on to the next question.

If you answered “no,” make changes to your training plan until it starts stimulating noticeable results.

Because, training is hard and challenging, and nobody wants to work hard if there aren’t positive – and tangible – results to gain from it.

Not making progress in the weight room?

That’s probably why you’re not motivated to be in there.

Spend some time playing around with your programming.

Once you start seeing results, your motivation will improve significantly.

 

3. Am I Chasing My Current Value(s)?

If you answered “yes,” you probably don’t have any problems with motivation and I’m not really sure why you’re reading this article (just kidding…I’m glad you’re reading this article!).

If you answered “no,” you may need to do something else until you truly value strength training, or at the very least, until the goals you value can only be accomplished through strength training.

Because, trying to do something you don’t value?

It’s damn near impossible.

Values drive motivation.

So if you don’t value strength training (at least not right now), well…you’re not going to be motivated to strength train.

 

But Nick, I Answered “Yes” to All Three Questions, and I Still Don’t Have Any Motivation

That’s probably because you’ve been training hard for a while, and you’ve come to a point where motivation is temporarily lowered.

This happens to everybody (stress, monotony, and the difficulty of training all add up).

It’s normal.

And it boils down to the fact that Motivation is NOT an unlimited resource.

You wanna know what separates those who achieve incredible fitness results, and those who don’t?

I’ll tell you this, it’s NOT that they have higher levels of motivation.

It’s that they train hard regardless of their motivation level. 

They put in the work regardless of whether they feel good or bad that day.

They stay consistent.

If YOU want to achieve incredible fitness results, you’re going to have to do the same.

You’re going to have to work your ass off.

And then – when you don’t feel like working your ass off anymore – you’re going to have to continue working your ass off.

Because that’s what it takes to be successful.

Motivation?

It can be improved upon.

And, there are ways to ensure you maintain this improved level of motivation for a fairly decent period of time (see above).

But eventually?

Your motivation will falter.

It may not stay that way for very long.

But, it’s what you decide to do when your motivation is low – not high – that ultimately determines your success.