We get it- going to the gym doesn’t always sound like a blast. But since we are aiming to live to be super old geezers, staying healthy is important. That’s why we have come up with 8 ways to make going to the gym more fun. While Mat and Lacey both agree on the main points below, we both share our individual perspectives on each.
1. Choose the right gym partner. Lacey – A gym partner is not just someone that can spot you, it’s someone that can help you set and reach goals, celebrate successes, someone to attend a new class with, hold you accountable, and most importantly, to have fun with. Mat – your gym partner can make or break your mood on any given day. Choose someone that’s positive and upbeat. You’re going to have days when you don’t want to be there, it’s their job to pick you up. …as it is your job to do the same for your partner.
2. Music. Lacey – The importance of a good playlist can’t be stressed enough! For me, it’s my girl Bey and Rhi Rhi. Yes, we are on a nick-name basis. 😉 Sometimes I get a little caught up in my play list and end up dancing more than lifting, but hey, whatever works. Mat – play what I call your “ahhh shit” music when you work out. By that, I mean when that song comes on, you automatically go “ahhh shit, this is my jam”. This will instantly boost your mood and energy. For me (right now at least) it’s Old School Hip-Hop. Funny stuff like Kris-Kross and Young MC.
3. Laughter. Lacey – Especially when you do something silly like trip in the middle of the gym. Or fall on your face when going until failure on push-ups. Mat – everybody messes up or embarrasses themselves in the gym. I usually trip over something or bonk my head on a bar or anything hanging. You can’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh at yourself as much as everyone else who saw it happen is laughing at you.
4. Try new things. Lacey – So you hate lifting legs? Try one legged squats instead of regular squats. I promise you will be focusing so much on your balance that you will forget you hate lifting legs. Dislike cardio? Mix it up with some sprint intervals. You don’t have to do them as long as steady cardio, and it burns more fat! Mat – agreeing with Lacey. Whenever leg day comes around, my mission is to trick myself into thinking I’m not really doing legs. Jump squats, box squats, clean to a front squat and other “different” leg lifts help keep my mind off how much I dislike lifting legs.
5. Give positive reinforcement to yourself and partner. Lacey – If you notice an increase in strength in yourself or your partner, point it out! Any reason to celebrate is a good idea. Mat – if you’re working out, you’re likely trying to make yourself more fit (whatever that may mean to you). It’s always nice when your gym partner or significant other points out that your hard work is paying off. With that in mind, pay others compliments when you notice how hard they’re working.
6. Engage in a little friendly competition. Lacey – This can be with your partner or yourself. It’s always fun to win! Mat – I’m more of a compete against myself type of person, but it never hurts to engage in some friendly ball busting with your gym partner. Just enough to motivate each other to keep getting better. If you know your partner could have put more effort in to their last set, don’t be afraid to call ’em a Sandbagger to let ’em know they’re better than that.
7. Be efficient. Lacey – It’s easy to dread a two hour workout, but a 45 minute one? That’s not a big deal! A good workout can be done in 45 minutes if you super set lifts, include quick bursts of cardio between sets and keep the energy up. 45 minutes is less time than an episode of Game of Thrones, so you should have time for it. Mat – there’s nothing worse than going to work all day and thinking about how you have another hour and a half at the gym, then a quick dinner, then bed…then repeat. Get your workout done in 35-45mins. Anything more than that is overkill in my books. That way going to the gym doesn’t seem like that big a part of your day. …an additional recommendation would be to do it in the morning. I know, it sounds awful, but once you’re done you literally have the rest of the day to do whatever you want.
8. Candy. Lacey – Yep, you read that right, candy! I was definitely excited to include this in our gym routine. Something about glycogen levels or something. I didn’t really care, because it means I get to eat gummy bears after I’m done! Mat – ha, going off of what Lacey wrote…yes, eating certain candies immediately following your workout will boost your glycogen levels allowing your other post workout supplements to process quicker/easier. Lacey and I grab about 5 gummy bears each and follow it with some whey protein, glutamine, and creatine. You can read more about this from fitness celebrity Jim Stoppani here.
Got any other tips you’d like to add? Feel free to drop ’em in a comment below!
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