Top 3 Exercise Excuses and How to Beat Them

Sometimes, getting started is the hardest part of working out. It can feel all too easy to make excuses and come up with reasons not to exercise. But don’t worry—struggling with time, motivation and inspiration just makes you more human. Luckily, there are ways around it!

No matter what excuses pop into your head, there’s always a solution. Registering and overcoming these excuses will enable you to stay determined, committed and get the results you want. Here are the top 3 exercise excuses and how to beat them. 

Exercise Excuse #1: No Time

Time constraints are the most common excuse for skipping workouts. If your schedule is jam-packed, here are some tips and tricks to prioritize exercise.

Follow a Workout Plan

Research suggests that a daily workout plan will help you stick to a consistent routine. The more you exercise, the easier it becomes to train consistently. 

The Gymondo app makes it super easy to stick to a workout plan. You set your training schedule and your workouts get planned accordingly. Scheduling workouts ahead of time leaves more space for you to get on with the other important things in your life. 

Do Shorter Workouts 

Rather than carving out time to do an hour-long sweat sesh, why not squeeze in shorter, regular workouts?

According to research, short workout sessions are just as effective as one long training bout to gain muscle, boost your metabolism and lose weight.

The Gymondo workouts range from 15 to 30 minutes, making it super easy to fit in a training session around your schedule. 

Related: Do Short Workouts Really Work? 

Exercise Excuse #2: Not Getting Results 

Maybe you feel like you’re putting in the work but you’re not seeing the results you’d hoped for. This can be super frustrating. But you’re not alone. All people struggle at some point during their fitness journey, especially when they’re not seeing the gains they’d hoped for.

Just remember—results don’t happen overnight. The key to making gains is consistency. Here are some tips to keep you motivated to keep going strong. 

Tap Into Your Fitness Community 

Working out with a friend, taking up a fitness challenge with a colleague or swapping fitness inspo with a family member are all brilliant ways to stay motivated and connected. Plus, sharing your exercise plan with someone you know will hold you accountable. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Related: Top 5 Reasons Why Having a Workout Buddy Is the Best Thing You Can Do for Your Health

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Negative self-talk, unhealthy comparisons to others and constant reminders of unrealistic beauty standards can leave you feeling like you’re not good enough.

Practice self-love to keep you motivated. Confidence is a self-fulfilling prophecy, so the more you have, the easier it is to face challenges with fierce energy.

Create your self-love mantra—”I’m fierce,” “I’m strong,” “I’m confident”—and keep repeating it until you start believing it. After all, you are what you think, so think positive thoughts! 

Find What Moves You 

Everyone has their favorite exercise style, whether it’s HIIT, yoga or weight training. And while it’s a good idea to mix up your fitness routine, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to what you love.

Reward yourself by doing your favorite workout at the end of the week, or schedule in something special to look forward to. Moving your body on your terms will help you stick to your plan.

Exercise Excuse #3: Lack of Motivation 

Workout motivation ebbs and flows. This applies to even the most seasoned athlete. Knowing what to do when that “get-up-and-go feeling” is in short supply makes all the difference in reaching your fitness goals or coming up short. Here are some things to keep you on track. 

Remind Yourself Why You Started

Everybody starts their fitness journey for a different reason, whether it’s to lose weight, gain strength or improve their overall health—the list goes on and on. 

When times get tough and the last thing you want to do is work out, remind yourself of why you started in the first place. 

Keep a mantra on your fridge as a reminder, set positive affirmation updates on your phone or write down your daily fitness goals. Reminding yourself of the “why” will keep you moving forward. 

Don’t Procrastinate 

Catch yourself saying, ‘I don’t feel like working out. Think I’ll start tomorrow?’ This is just your mind tricking you into thinking you don’t need to move your body.

The truth is, the days where you’re feeling in a slump are the exact days that a workout will make you feel amazing! So, don’t put it off. Instead, get your body moving. 

Switch Things Up 

If a certain workout style isn’t doing it for you, why not try something totally different? Gymondo’s Open Training program offers variety, flexibility and fresh workouts to stave off boredom. Mix things up and wave bye-bye to workout boredom.

Takeaway

There are a number of excuses you can make to avoid exercise but just remember—most of them can be overcome through commitment and consistency. So, the next time you find yourself making an exercise excuse, use these tips to combat them.

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Find everything you need to stay motivated in the Gymondo app. Explore 100s of quick and effective workouts to keep you moving daily. Sign up for a free 7-day trial today!