Starting a workout routine is the easy part of getting into better shape. The more significant challenge is sticking to your routine long enough to start seeing the benefits of your hard work. Things get a lot easier from that point since you start to enjoy the many rewards that come with getting into better shape, like the improved confidence that comes with enhancing your physical appearance.
One way to stay motivated during your fitness journey is by adding activities you enjoy to your workout routine. That way, your workout sessions don’t always feel like a chore, and you look forward to them. Examples of fun workouts include martial arts classes, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and exercise dance classes. Every session is unique during such activities, and you get to interact with people from all walks of life.
Still, there will be days you just don’t feel like working out. That’s where this article comes in. We’ll go over 19 inspiring workout quotes that will fill you up with the motivation to drag yourself to the gym on such days.
19 Inspiring Fitness Quotes To Keep You Motivated On Your Fitness Journey
Let’s jump right into our list of motivational quotes for your workout sessions:
1. “The hardest thing about exercise is to start doing it. Once you are doing exercise regularly, the hardest thing is to stop it.” – Erin Gray
ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious Johnson always puts in the work to stay in peak condition all year round.
Anyone who works out regularly already knows what this quote refers to. As challenging as starting a workout program can be, it becomes addictive quickly. Exercise leads to the release of feel-good dopamine in your brain, elevating your mood. Over time, you become addicted to the elevated mood working out brings you. Don’t worry; it’s one of the healthiest addictions you can have. It’ll get you the physique of your dreams and keep you looking that way.
2. “My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you want to do. And he said, ‘You never know what you can accomplish until you try.'” – Michael Jordan
Many people will never know what the full potential of their bodies looks like. It’s easy to not care about exercising when you don’t know what you’re missing out on, but you might have regrets if you knew what you would look like if you only put in a little effort. The benefits of being physically fit go beyond how you look. It reduces your risk of developing health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Anyone can sculpt the body of their dreams if they put more effort into exercising. You’ll be happy with your decision when you realize your body’s full potential.
3. “Take care of your body. It’s the one place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn
Your body is the vehicle you go through life in, and you only get one. Maybe someday, human technology will advance to the point that you can get a new body when your original body quits on you, but for now, it’s only wise to take care of your only vehicle.
Just like a properly maintained car lasts longer, the same applies to your body. Regular exercise improves your ability to perform everyday tasks like walking, picking up heavy objects, and climbing stairs. Regular exercise becomes more vital as you age since your metabolism slows down and physical activities become more challenging. At that point, your fitness level will significantly impact your quality of life.
For example, an in-shape 50-year-old will be able to partake in more physical activities like cycling, hiking, and swimming than an out-of-shape person the same age. Exercise also helps to preserve a youthful appearance.
4. “Going to the gym is great for your body, but it’s also great for your mind.” – Rory McIlroy
The deadlift is a compound workout that works not just your lower body, but also engages your back, core, and grip strength.
Most people focus on the physical benefits of working out, but it can be just as beneficial for your mind. For one, it gives you a break from your regular activities. You get quality alone time and a chance to take your mind off things that might be causing your stress and anxiety.
Working out leads to the release of endorphins that improve mood and alleviate stress. It also gets your body tired, which leads to improved sleep quality. Getting adequate sleep helps with cognitive function.
5. “What I know for sure is this: The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal for this year is, you can get there – as long as you’re willing to be honest with yourself about the preparation and work involved. There are no back doors, no free rides. There’s just you, this moment, and a choice.” – Oprah
Oprah’s struggle with weight has been well-documented, and she’s had several breakthroughs over the years. Her advice is spot on regarding any type of fitness journey. There are no secrets when it comes to fitness at this point in history. All the information you need to accomplish any fitness goal you set is readily available on the internet.
Make sure you set clear primary and secondary day goals when you create your workout routine. Then write down what you’ll have to do to reach these goals. It’s really that easy.
6. “Obstacles can’t stop you. Problems can’t stop you. People can’t stop you. Only you can stop you.” – Jeffrey Gitomer
This couldn’t be any more true. The only thing that can derail your fitness goal is you. Yes, the small things in life can make working out more challenging, but there’s always a way if you’re committed to your journey. For example, you might be unable to make it to the gym on some days due to work constraints, but that doesn’t mean you can squeeze in a calisthenics workout at home.
7. “When I feel tired, I just think about how great I will feel once I finally reach my goal.” – Michael Phelps
Having clear-cut goals helps to keep you committed to working out since there’s something you’re working towards. It could be as simple as wanting to fit into some of your old clothes. Think about your reason for working out whenever you need some inspiration.
8. “All progress takes place outside the comfort zone.” – Michael John Bobak
That’s the key to pushing your body to the next level. Working out is about pushing your body out of its comfort zone, which leads to your body becoming stronger to keep up with your increased demands. You should always look to make your workouts more challenging once they start getting easy for you. The challenges that come with forcing your body to work more than it’s used to lead to optimal gains.
9. “Success isn’t always about ‘greatness’, it’s about consistency. Consistent, hard work gains success. Greatness will come.” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Working hard consistently is the key to increasing your physical fitness. Stay committed to your workout routine for a few months, and you are guaranteed to see results. The more consistent you are with your training, the more results you see. Try to work out on the same days and around the same time.
10. “Eat clean, stay fit, and have a burger to stay sane.” – Gigi Hadid
As a professional model, Gigi knows what it takes to keep your body looking its best. Working out consistently is half of the equation, and dieting is the other half. Working out gives your body the stimulation it needs to build stronger muscles and burn fat, while dieting gives your body the nutrients it needs to do these things. But don’t forget to have cheat days – they help with the monotony of eating clean all the time.
11. “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” – John F. Kennedy
It is hard to be creative and dynamic when your body is weak. Regular exercise helps to keep your body functioning correctly while promoting cognitive function. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind.
12. “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” – Jerry Rice
Here’s some beneficial advice for competitive athletes. It’s vital for people involved in competitive sports to push themselves hard during their workout sessions. You must push yourself more than your competitors push themselves to get a competitive edge.
13. “We can push ourselves further. We always have more to give.” – Simone Biles
Your body is capable of much more than you think, so keep that in mind when building your workouts. You want to increase the difficulty of your workouts progressively so your body keeps growing.
14. “Exercise should be regarded as tribute to the heart.” – Gene Tunney
Regular exercise gives you many rewards besides improving your appearance, athleticism, endurance, or mental health. Regular exercise reduces mortality rates and protects against heart disease and attacks. In other words, you’ll live longer if you stick to a workout routine.
15. “I know that if I set my mind to something, even if people are saying I can’t do it, I will achieve it.” – David Beckham
The first step towards sticking to a workout routine is making a conscious decision to do so. Write down all your reasons for making fitness a priority and return to your list whenever you notice your motivation dwindling.
16. “Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.” — Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee’s original quote was regarding martial arts training specifically, but it holds true for working out in general. With so much information on the best ways to reach your fitness goals available online, you’ll need to learn to take what applies to you, throw away what doesn’t work, and make changes that suit your individual needs.
For example, performing a bodybuilding workout won’t get you optimal results if you’re preparing for a marathon.
17. “The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion. That’s what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they’ll go through the pain no matter what happens.” —Arnold Schwarzenegger
Your workout sessions should never be easy. You should always look to push yourself to do more whenever you’re in the gym. Exercising leads to small tears in your muscles, forcing your body to repair and replace them with stronger, more capable muscles. It’s your body’s way of making your life easier, but you must push yourself to get there. It’s why people with physically demanding jobs, like laborers, are typically stronger than the average person. It’s their bodies’ way of making their workday a little easier.
Getting your set number of reps on each exercise should never be easy. You should always find it challenging to get your last couple of reps.
18. “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” — Muhammad Ali
A photo of the late Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest of all time in the world of boxing.
This quote is about not wasting energy counting how many days you’re into your fitness journey and instead focusing on making the most out of each workout session. It’s about the effectiveness of your workouts, not how many times you’ve gone to the gym. For example, there’s a vast difference between performing ten deadlifts using a weight that isn’t challenging for you and pumping out ten reps working with a weight that forces you to give it everything you have to get ten reps.
19. “Proper nutrition is the difference between feeling exhausted and getting the most out of a workout.” —Summer Sanders
It’s impossible to overstate the role of nutrition regarding fitness. The foods and beverages you consume give you the energy you need to power through workouts and the nutrients you need to recover afterward. Poor nutrition leads to things like iron deficiencies, which leave you feeling fatigued before your workout even starts.
As a general rule, your meals should be about 25 percent carbs, 25 percent protein, and 50 percent healthy vegetables. You might have to adjust that formula based on your unique fitness goals. For example, you should aim for a low-carb diet if you’re trying to lose weight.
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