5 Effective Ways to Get Motivated for a Run

Running is one of the many cardiovascular exercises people often go to when it comes to including workouts into our day-to-day lives — why is this so?

Many of us are familiar with the benefits of running, such as higher calorie burn, reduced stress levels, lowered blood pressure, minimised risk of cardiovascular disease and improved mental health — so to say it's effective is an understatement.

But despite what running can offer, sometimes we end up unmotivated to run. Let’s be honest — running on the same route over and over again can get boring fast. The result? We no longer find it as gratifying and rewarding.

You also have to remember that running isn’t always easy and exciting. It can also be mentally taxing and exhausting when you’re not in the right mindset.

So how do you get motivated when the thought of running makes you want to crawl back into bed?

5 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Run

Identify your reason for running

First things first, it’s important to have clear intentions when it comes to your running. If you don’t have a sense of direction or goal, this will eventually compromise your ability to stay motivated.

Having a clear reason behind your running has a direct impact on your motivation as it reminds you why you run in the first place. May it be because you wanted to lose weight, look and feel good in front of others, build muscle strength and endurance or simply escape reality — all of these reasons can help you stay on track.

These motives serve as your foundation for running and there’s no bigger red flag than ignoring the goals you yourself established.

Run with other people

Sometimes, running can get lonely so why not run with other people? Running with others is said to make people happier as this gives us an opportunity to form genuine bonds and relationships with other individuals. So consider joining a running club or signing up for a fun run the next time around!

Setting goals with other people and achieving them makes it all the more gratifying, especially when you keep track of your progress and push each other in times of struggle. Having a running buddy not only provides accountability and support, but it also means having someone to share the burden with.

Running with others is the best distraction since we hardly ever notice that we exert more effort when we have company.

Reward yourself for running

Running doesn’t have to be a stoic activity. It’s the little things that you can reward yourself with after a run that makes it a more positive and fulfilling experience — in turn, also helping you stay motivated.

Depending on what time you plan to run during the day, try motivating yourself with the promise of treating yourself to good food, a relaxing massage or a shopping spree. That way, you have something to look forward to after exercising.

Create a playlist for your run

Listening to the right lineup of songs can keep you strongly driven to complete your runs. Your playlist can do more than just entertain you while running. It can also improve your energy levels and oxygen intake with the right beats. It helps you stay on pace and makes it easier to track your breathing, so choose a playlist that will encourage and motivate you.

Want to be more productive when you run? You can also try listening to podcasts. Many runners have expressed that time goes by faster when they’re encapsulated by the story and structure of a podcast. Sometimes, you wouldn’t even want to end your run until you have finished the episode!;

Give yourself a break

Sometimes, the best and most efficient running motivation is listening to your body! Giving your body complete rest allows the muscle to repair the micro tears that occur during running and in turn also reduces the susceptibility of acquiring an injury.

Resting is indeed an important component of growth, especially when it comes to running so make sure not to skip your rest days!;Taking some time out will definitely do your body, mind, and running routine good.

Don't like running? Don't despair

Not really a fan of running? That’s okay!

As mentioned, running is only one of the many cardiovascular exercises you can do. There are a lot more to choose from which means that you don’t have to run if you don’t want to!

You can opt to go cycling, rowing or yoga! These physical activities are definitely just as beneficial as running. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get up and ‘running’!

Looking for home gym equipment for all your workout needs? Check out our range of fitness equipment to get you motivated!;

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