There’s no doubt that staying motivated to workout during the winter months can be challenging. Colder weather, shorter daylight hours and grey skies can slow the momentum somewhat. But it's important to maintain an active lifestyle regardless of the season and we’ve got a few suggestions to help you achieve that. Our team has pulled together three tips to help you stay motivated during Hawthorn’s chilly winter months.
1. Create yourself a schedule and set achievable goals:
Start by setting achievable fitness goals for the winter season. Whether it's maintaining your current fitness level, improving endurance, getting stronger or working towards specific targets, setting goals will give you something to strive for. Once you have those goals in mind, we’d suggest booking in a program with one of our trainers to create a workout schedule that incorporates the right balance of exercises throughout the week. You might even be surprised at how quickly you can achieve a well-rounded workout! Especially over winter, knowing your workout can be done-and-dusted in as little as 30-45 minutes might be enough to get you to the gym in itself. And as we all know, once you’re through that Visions door, the workout part is easy - and feels good!
There’s no doubt that having a manageable weekly routine planned ahead of time will help you stay committed and motivated, even when the weather is less than ideal.
2. Change up how you train:
Outdoor activities may be tough when it’s cold, wet and dark, but there are plenty of ways to vary your indoor workout options. For example, have you considered adding some of our group classes to your weekly routine? Our three different classes (TKO, Strongroom and Light Work) are the PERFECT way to forget the cold! We’re yet to see a shivering boxer! Group training is open to all levels and is fun, motivating and challenging. Haven’t tried it before? Get in touch and we’ll line up a free class - there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain!
And how long since you’ve mixed up your solo routine? Could we help you change things up? Sitting down with one of our team to develop a new workout routine will give you new challenges, stimulating the bod (and the noggin) and boost your enthusiasm to bounce into Visions over winter.
There’s a bunch of ways you can revamp your training. Our bodies and our minds both benefit from variety. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Visions is your playground, explore it and have fun!
3. Find a workout buddy:
Staying motivated is often easier when you have someone to hold you accountable. Find a workout buddy who shares similar fitness goals and watch the magic happen. As with group training, exercising with someone else can provide a sense of camaraderie, support, and even friendly competition. You can motivate each other, celebrate accomplishments together, and make your workouts more enjoyable. Additionally, knowing that someone is expecting you to show up can be a powerful motivator to stay consistent with your winter workouts. And we all know that two sweaty mugs in a post-workout selfie are better than one! Got someone in mind? Send them a Visions 10 day free trial.
Another way to achieve accountability is to work with a Visions Personal Trainer. In some ways, a PT ticks all three boxes - you’re accountable to a planned schedule, you have the ability to train a variety of ways AND you get to enjoy support and company. For many people, one or two locked-in PT sessions throughout the week will trigger them to come in for solo sessions as well - we see it happen all the time!
Support from a workout buddy, be it a friend or a friendly PT, offers the perfect balance of support and accountability.
There you have it - a recipe for winter success! Of course, don’t forget to dress appropriately for the weather, warm up properly before each workout, and stay hydrated even though you may not feel as thirsty in colder temperatures. By setting goals, embracing variety and finding support, the ability to stay motivated and maintain your fitness routine throughout winter isn’t nearly as scary as you might have thought.
Warm up, stay cool and enjoy your training!
Lotsa luv - The Visions Team