Chimes, digital melody or musical bells. Despite the ringtone, the buzzing of my 5am alarm clock causes nothing, but an internal stir screaming “just five more minutes!” Yes, it’s true, fitness instructors do love their sleep too! Quickly after one snooze of the alarm, I remember how many students are depending on my hour of leadership, inspiration and motivation to reach their personal goals. There’s no backing out now.
So what happens when you’re not an instructor? What happens when going to the gym, taking a new class or walking around the park depends solely on your own decision making? Do you opt out? If so, why? Whether or not you find yourself in a case of the motivation blues, here are some simple ways to maintain or re-ignite that spark.
1. The budding potential of a buddy system
We’ve been taught this concept since kindergarten, but have we ever related the idea towards our adult lives? Pairing up with friends makes us accountable for getting to class, putting in effort and laughing! Next time a social event is planned around food, consider suggesting a sweat date instead.
2. Planning Ahead is Key
Planning ahead allows for little excuses and lots of action. Are you an early riser? Lay your workout clothes out the night before, have your work clothes and lunch packed and ready to go. When that 5am alarm goes off, there will be little time to think. Just grab and go.
Prefer to sweat in the evening? Always keep an extra set of sneakers and workout gear in your car or office. After work, head right to the gym and grab a spot front in center where the instructor can see you.
3. Sweat or Save
Every Sunday night, take out your work schedule and pair it against the gym’s group fitness schedule. Which classes fit into your availability? Creating a consistent schedule in advance is the key to staying on track.
Act as if a group fitness class is an appointment and canceling resulted in a 50% of service fee. If the money starts to accumulate due to lots of cancellations, use the money to order new workout gear for a little extra motivation.
4. Calendar Invites
Calendar invites are used for work, appointments and upcoming events; why not add in a workout schedule too?
After you’ve figured out which classes you’ll attend throughout the week, add it to your mobile or email calendar with a thirty minute warning. This will give you a heads up to get dressed and to the gym. In the event you consider opting out, the last minute warning will make you feel like you’re missing out.
5. Teacher’s Pet
Don’t be shy, we all started somewhere. Arrive a few minutes early, introduce yourself and get to know your instructor. Most importantly, be sure to communicate any injuries or special needs you may have.
Grab a spot front and center so to get the most out of your group fitness class. The perks? Setting up in the heart of the classroom creates the opportunity for clear sight of the instructor, increases the likelihood of staying focused for the full hour and motivates you to give your best. Instructors recognize familiar faces, especially those of our committed students. The more connected you feel to the instructor, the less likely you’ll be to skip out on any sweat session.
6. Where do you see yourself one year from now?
Taking time to picture your future self will make it easier to recognize short term goals. For example: in one year from now I am twenty pounds lighter. In order to become twenty pounds lighter one year from now, what must I commit to within the next nine months? What must I do within the next three, six and so on?
By breaking down long-term goals into shorter term goals, we’re able to recognize how our actions or lack of actions today can impact the big picture.
At the end of the day, things can get in the way, but only if you let them. Recognize that there will be days we may slip up and that is okay. Be patient with yourself and the process, recognize that anything worth having requires hard work and consistency.
- Megan Mesaros
Spinning® and Neta Certified
So what happens when you’re not an instructor? What happens when going to the gym, taking a new class or walking around the park depends solely on your own decision making? Do you opt out? If so, why? Whether or not you find yourself in a case of the motivation blues, here are some simple ways to maintain or re-ignite that spark.
1. The budding potential of a buddy system
We’ve been taught this concept since kindergarten, but have we ever related the idea towards our adult lives? Pairing up with friends makes us accountable for getting to class, putting in effort and laughing! Next time a social event is planned around food, consider suggesting a sweat date instead.
2. Planning Ahead is Key
Planning ahead allows for little excuses and lots of action. Are you an early riser? Lay your workout clothes out the night before, have your work clothes and lunch packed and ready to go. When that 5am alarm goes off, there will be little time to think. Just grab and go.
Prefer to sweat in the evening? Always keep an extra set of sneakers and workout gear in your car or office. After work, head right to the gym and grab a spot front in center where the instructor can see you.
3. Sweat or Save
Every Sunday night, take out your work schedule and pair it against the gym’s group fitness schedule. Which classes fit into your availability? Creating a consistent schedule in advance is the key to staying on track.
Act as if a group fitness class is an appointment and canceling resulted in a 50% of service fee. If the money starts to accumulate due to lots of cancellations, use the money to order new workout gear for a little extra motivation.
4. Calendar Invites
Calendar invites are used for work, appointments and upcoming events; why not add in a workout schedule too?
After you’ve figured out which classes you’ll attend throughout the week, add it to your mobile or email calendar with a thirty minute warning. This will give you a heads up to get dressed and to the gym. In the event you consider opting out, the last minute warning will make you feel like you’re missing out.
5. Teacher’s Pet
Don’t be shy, we all started somewhere. Arrive a few minutes early, introduce yourself and get to know your instructor. Most importantly, be sure to communicate any injuries or special needs you may have.
Grab a spot front and center so to get the most out of your group fitness class. The perks? Setting up in the heart of the classroom creates the opportunity for clear sight of the instructor, increases the likelihood of staying focused for the full hour and motivates you to give your best. Instructors recognize familiar faces, especially those of our committed students. The more connected you feel to the instructor, the less likely you’ll be to skip out on any sweat session.
6. Where do you see yourself one year from now?
Taking time to picture your future self will make it easier to recognize short term goals. For example: in one year from now I am twenty pounds lighter. In order to become twenty pounds lighter one year from now, what must I commit to within the next nine months? What must I do within the next three, six and so on?
By breaking down long-term goals into shorter term goals, we’re able to recognize how our actions or lack of actions today can impact the big picture.
At the end of the day, things can get in the way, but only if you let them. Recognize that there will be days we may slip up and that is okay. Be patient with yourself and the process, recognize that anything worth having requires hard work and consistency.
- Megan Mesaros
Spinning® and Neta Certified