Going to the gym is supposed to be an enjoyable experience, but it can be easy to fall into a rut.
Sometimes all you need is a little extra motivation to get you out, and to keep you moving towards your goals.
Here are five of our favourite quotes that you can learn from and apply to your life today, to help you bust through those plateaus and get your gym mojo back.
1. “Strive for progress, not perfection” – unknown
The world of fitness can be cruel.
You’ve just plucked up the courage to get to the gym and start a workout program, but you’re surrounded by people with bulging muscles, lifting twice your weight. It can be intimidating, and downright disheartening.
It’s important to remember that everyone started somewhere. The dude who’s deadlifting 250kg started with just the bar, just like you did.
Perfection is an illusion, and you’ll never attain it. What’s important is that you keep working hard, keep chipping away, and keep making small progress. It all adds up over time.
2. “You’re only one workout away from a good mood” – unknown
This quote highlights the idea that mood follows action.
You can be having a terrible day where everything seems to have gone wrong and you can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel, but a good session in the gym can change all that in an instant.
Exercise releases a healthy dose of feel good endorphins, enough to turn any frown upside down.
3. “There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy” – Fredrick Nietzsche
We’re lucky in that we’ve never had so much access to information – in magazines, books, blogs and websites. If you’re looking for an answer to any fitness related question, it’s pretty much at your fingertips, 24/7.
This can be beneficial, but it also has its drawbacks. It can often lead to information overload, or drag you down a path that isn’t right for you or your body.
Sometimes, it’s best to just get out there and move. Explore your capabilities, push your boundaries and see what your body can do. Let go of the dogma, break the rules and find what feels right for you. You’ll learn way more about yourself than if you just followed a program, and you’ll probably have more fun.
4. “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” – Helen Keller
Sometimes asking for help is seen as sign of weakness, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Human beings are social animals – we work best when we come together and strive towards a common goal, whether that’s in the workplace, or in the gym.
If you’re feeling a little stuck, why not find a workout buddy to help keep you accountable and push you further?
5. “There is no such thing as over-training…only under-recovery” – unknown
It’s been said time and time again, but it’s definitely worth repeating: if you’re looking to reach your fitness goals, the recovery phase is just as important as the training itself.
You could have the best-designed training program in the world, but if you’re eating rubbish, stressing out and not getting any sleep, it doesn’t mean jack.
So make sure you’re eating healthily, controlling your stress levels and sleeping well – your body will thank you, and you’ll reap the rewards.
