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5 fitness tips to stay motivated, regardless of external circumstances

5 fitness tips to stay motivated, regardless of external circumstances

April 21, 2020 at 9:21am


By Sofia Arraut, FIU certified personal trainer

When all the weight sets are sold out everywhere, and all you have is a mat and possibly some resistance bands, how can we keep the discipline and intensity the same at home with little to no equipment? While it may not be easy, there are ways to maintain your motivation. Just because a gym is closed does not mean your motivation has to follow suit.

As a certified personal trainer at the Wellness Recreation Center at FIU, it is my job to help my clients maintain their passion and enthusiasm for fitness, regardless of external circumstances.

Here are some ways to keep your motivation at a consistent level throughout much of this quarantine.

1. Find an accountability partner. Social distancing may not allow you to meet up with your friend(s) in person. However, FaceTime and WhatsApp video calls are free and can be used to contact your friend and complete a virtual workout together. In my experience, this virtual partner training style is therapeutic and extremely fun. Ultimately, it ends up becoming a habit you both can benefit from.

2. Streamline your purpose/goals. Even before quarantine, there was a decision you made each time you went to the gym. This was your fitness-related purpose or goal.

You may not currently be able to target your physique exactly in the way that you want, but there are numerous online fitness challenges that may pique your interest in the same way.

3. Create a routine. During this time, it may be tempting to sleep in and eat breakfast for dinner, but it’s important to understand that discipline and motivation go hand-in-hand.

If you create a routine and add some sort of exercises each day, it will benefit your mind and body and leave you ready for greater days in the gym once fitness centers are re-opened.

4. Use technology to your benefit. Just a simple Google search, “Full body workout w/ no equipment,” will lead you to a plethora of fitness Youtubers, Instagrammers and bloggers who have fun, creative workouts you can do in the privacy of your home. 

5. Take virtual fitness classes. At the FIU Wellness and Recreation Center, we are holding fun and creative classes all throughout this period free of charge. These classes are both live and pre-recorded. You can view our virtual fitness class schedule on our website.