Five Ways to Make Your Workout More Fun!
I truly believe that the hardest part of working out is getting started. If you can get past that, I know you can get past anything. It’s an empowering feeling to finish what you didn’t want to do in the first place, because if we’re being honest, some days it just doesn’t make the to-do list. When I notice this happening as a repeated pattern in my life, I know it’s time to get back on a schedule by making it fun again.
If you’re finding it hard to get back on schedule like I was (and still do sometimes) these are some of the things that help me infuse some fun into my workouts and ultimately inspire me to keep it on the schedule.
FIVE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR WORKOUT MORE FUN
👭 GRAB A FRIEND & MOVE TOGETHER!
Doesn’t matter who it is - Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, Dog, Grandma, Coach, Colleague, or your Bestie - just get together and move. Movement is so important for your overall health, and when you do it with someone else you both WIN. You can go for a walk together, dance together, or hit the barre together. No matter the movement, you’re inviting connection and fitness into your relationship and growing together. Bringing in a friend helps you get something set on the calendar with the added benefit of someone keeping you accountable to that scheduled workout with them. It's been my experience when doing a workout with a partner that I am more engaged in the present moment. I am more focused and accountable to going full out (even if that means full on resting 😉). This makes the workout so much more fun and memorable.
🎶 A FIRE PLAYLIST WITH ALL YOUR FAVES!
I have always loved to move with the beat of the music. It helps me keep pace, tempo, and a good attitude. To make your workout the best dance party ever make sure your playlist matches the style of workout you’re doing. For example, if I’m running, I love a good high BPM (beats per minute) EDM playlist to keep me motivated and going strong. If I’m doing Barre, it’s definitely @dualipa the Queen of my Barre playlist herself. A great playlist can really set the tone for your workout. There’s been multiple times recently I’ve asked Alexa to play Britney Spears so I could release my inner child, dance in freedom, work through my chakras, and balance their energies through movement. It really is a freeing kind of experience, all through music. I can understand not everyone might be ready for that, so if music really isn’t your thing during a workout, I’m also a big fan of podcasts. I reserve these specifically for my long walks, but to each their own. Find what you love, what inspires you, and what gets you motivated enough to keep moving forward all while having fun along the way.
🎒 A CUTE FIT!
I absolutely love a cute outfit that makes me feel strong and sexy. It’s pure motivation to do something that day whether it’s a stroll around the block or an all-out HIIT moment. I have always said, “Never let a cute outfit stand between you and a good workout”, but even I can’t deny that first workout in a new outfit. I’m pretty sure it all comes to down to how the outfit makes me feel when I look in the mirror. If I feel strong and sexy, I’m ready to workout in that mindset. I am very aware that my mindset is what interprets the information, but I promise for me, if it looks cute it absolutely influences how I show up. I mentioned in the beginning the hardest part about a workout is getting started, so a cute outfit shouldn’t stand in the way of that at all! Not one bit. However, for some, it may be the very thing we need to get our feet to the mat and start having some fun. It all depends on the person, so always go with what feels the best to you! If it’s an old t-shirt and shorts (like it is for me when I’m not filming) then great, if it’s the latest set you got from the store then rock that to your workout. All that matters is that you keep showing up and you keep having fun.
My all-time favorite sets come from @fabletics!! I especially love the athleisure that goes from work to play without missing a beat. Click here to shop Fabletics with my link.
☀️ GO OUTSIDE!
Taking your workout outside can really change up the feeling of your workout. The sunshine, the elements, the temperature of the air, all of these senses are great for your brain and body giving your workout an ultimate boost of benefits. I’m a fan of doing this in the spring in summer… maybe fall, but the farthest I’m going outside in the winter is the garage and probably not for long. Keep this in consideration when you choose to take your practice outside. A secondary option is to change up your scenery, change your environment. If you normally workout at the gym, maybe try a home practice and visa versa. If you workout at one studio, maybe try a different one, or even try a different type of workout. Variety adds fun and excitement back into your workouts. This is fuel for motivation to keep you going towards your goals. Don’t be afraid to switch it up.
💛 A LIGHTHEARTED ATTITUDE!
Way too many times we go into our workouts with expectations of what a workout is supposed to look like, how much we’re supposed to sweat, how many calories we’re supposed to burn, or how long we have to keep at it. Forget all of this, literally throw it out the window and just show up. Removing the expectations will lighten the load, make it more fun, and ultimately more sustainable. Your mindset is everything when it comes to almost anything in life. We hear mind over matter all the time. If you can cultivate a mindset around “I get to ….” rather than “I have to ….” when it comes to fitness and health things will begin to change, and you may start to experience more joy in your thoughts around workouts and routines. It may not be the easiest thing to do as there will be moments when you show up to your mat carrying all the things and experiences of the day, but this is what increases your resilience – the constant practice of redirecting your mind to keep a lighthearted attitude and allowing the experience to unfold before you. Ditching the expectations make each experience more positive as there is (in theory) no way to be disappointed ultimately making it more fun!
PROTIP: If you release your expectations your experience will be wildly different, and I’m almost willing to bet money your results will be, too! 👏🏼👏🏼
These are some quick ways I infuse fun into my workouts. Let’s face it, if it’s not fun for us we’re not doing it, right? I am always looking for more ways to keep my workouts as my happy place so if you have a favorite way to keep the party going, tell me in the comments below.
AND if you’re looking for a partner, come workout with me! Classes (right now) are on Tuesday’s and Friday’s and when you sign up you automatically get the replays if you can’t make the live class, so don’t let your schedule stand between you and a good workout. These workouts were made to support you wherever you are and whenever you’re ready.
