4 Ways To Fall In Love With The Gym

Bought a gym membership with all the best intentions but not quite made it to the gym? Keep telling yourself you’ll start tomorrow, but never make it? You're not alone!

3x Olympian and celebrity personal trainer Sarah Lindsay, who co-founded Roar Fitness eight years ago, explains that creating and maintaining a fitness regime is only possible when exercise no longer feels like a chore but an activity that you genuinely love.

Today, Sarah shares her top tips with us to help you to fall in love with the gym!

// Motivate with music

Studies show that music helps gym - goers to push through fatigue. I like to listen to heavier rock music that's a bit more aggressive to help stir the right emotions to dig a little deeper, especially when lifting heavy weights. Others like upbeat dance music to help them find a rhythm when lifting! Treat yourself to some headphones that are suitable for working out; I have small ears so opt for ones that hook over the top so they don’t fall out mid- lift!

//Wear what you want

Feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing at the gym will help you find the motivation to return! That said, you’re not in the gym to impress others so wear what you love and feel confident in - whether that's a baggy T- shirt or if you want to flaunt your gains in head- to- toe lycra!

//Make gym friends

Don't be afraid to share compliments or back your fellow gym-goers by saying something nice, perhaps 'that's an amazing lift' or ‘I love your leggings’. Not only do you get positive feelings from that generosity but you'll earn compliments back, which is a huge confidence booster. By talking to other gym-goers and having a consistent routine, you'll start to recognise faces and feel part of a gym family, which will make you feel encouraged to return again and again.

// Plan ahead

Knowing what you’re training ahead of time gives you the opportunity to map out the equipment you need for your session, meaning that you can enter the gym with conviction. If you've not lifted weights before, ask for guidance from the gym staff, your new-found gym buddies or find a trainer that can create a routine for you to follow. Video apps are a huge help - you can search for any exercise and find athletes demonstrating so that you can practise and perfect your technique.