Find Your Inner Motivator With These Tips for Reinvigorating Your Workout Routine

Whether you have enough workout gear to last all year or you prefer a favorite T-shirt and shorts, one thing that’s almost guaranteed to boost your mood about exercising is a new outfit. Invest in a new set you’ll be excited to put on (this one is only $13!), and lay it out with your sneakers and socks the night before your workout so you’ll be ready to go when it’s time to sweat.

A surefire way to kill your motivation? Injuries. Keep your feet supported by ensuring your sneakers still have adequate cushioning and tread on the bottom. If they don’t, it might be time to trade up.

If your workout routine is feeling stale, changing modalities can have a big impact on making fitness feel exciting again. “Switching up your strength training program and reassessing your progress and goals every so often will keep it interesting, motivating, and fun!” Watson continues. “Having smaller benchmark goals is a great way to keep yourself motivated in the short-term while reaching for a longer-term goal, or even just trying to stay active.”

Make the switch by trying a new workout class or investing in a new piece of at-home equipment, like this studio bike that provides access to live or on-demand workout videos and interactive training virtually.

Cycling not your thing? Try switching up your scenery with rowing instead. It’s a great way to get a full-body workout, and the ProForm smart system allows you to queue up a new setting every time, like the English channel or Portuguese sea, so you’ll never get bored of staring at the blank wall in front of you.

“Nothing will pump the brakes on a workout routine faster than forcing yourself to do workouts you absolutely hate. We’ve all been there,” Watson says. So don’t be afraid to think outside the box with your workouts, and try out this immersive dancing experience. Bonus points if you invite friends over and turn it into a “group workout” in your living room.

It’s hard to stay motivated when your muscles are sore and your body is tired—which is why proper nutrition actually plays a big role in sustaining your workout routine. Protein helps your muscles repair post-workout, so after you push through your last set and transition to cool-down stretches, mix yourself up a quick protein shake with this plant-based protein powder. Your motivation (and your muscles) will thank you tomorrow.

One of Watson’s top tips for staying motivated is leaning on technology to invite community into your fitness routine. “There are many apps and programs you can join (many for free!) that allow you to track, compare, and share your workouts with members of the community, your friends, and post to social!” she says. One way to do that is by adding friends on your smartwatch and challenging them to weekly competitions to gamify your movement goals.

Overall, the important thing is having someone you can turn to as an accountability partner. “It can feel very isolating once the new-ness of getting into a new workout routine has worn off,” Watson says. “If you have a friend who relates and can keep your spirits up and inspire you, you’ll be much more set up for success.”