essay about fitness motivation

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Fitness — Significance of Physical Fitness

Significance of Physical Fitness

• Categories: Fitness

About this sample

Words: 372 |

Published: Mar 25, 2024

Words: 372 | Page: 1 | 2 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 589 words

2 pages / 1029 words

1 pages / 686 words

2 pages / 882 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Fitness

Physical fitness is an essential aspect of human health and well-being. It is not just a temporary goal that we set for ourselves; rather, it is a lifetime commitment that we must make to ourselves. Maintaining an active [...]

In the evolving landscape of fitness, few movements have generated as much buzz and controversy as CrossFit. Since its inception in the early 2000s, CrossFit has garnered a passionate following, with proponents lauding its [...]

Running is a popular form of exercise that offers numerous health benefits. Whether you are a seasoned marathon runner or just starting out with a few laps around the block, running can have a positive impact on your physical [...]

Obesity is a big health issue around the world these days, and it's common in both rich and poor countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) says obesity has more than doubled since 1980. Over 1.9 billion adults are [...]

Keeping physically fit requires resolve! Nothing is more important than deciding to follow a fitness plan. Around the holidays so many of us make a New Year's resolution to get fit and healthy, but I'm here to tell you that [...]

My physical goals include increasing my fitness levels as well as weight loss. I would like to work on strengthening my body through gym and yoga whilst also embarking on a cardio routine that will mainly include running and [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Weight Management
• Nutrition Facts
• Nutrition Basics
• Meal Delivery Services
• Fitness Gear
• Apparel & Accessories
• Recipe Nutrition Calculator
• Weight Loss Calorie Goal
• BMI Calculator
• Body Fat Percentage Calculator
• Calories Burned by Activity
• Daily Calories Burned
• Pace Calculator
• Editorial Process
• Meet Our Review Board

Why Aren't You Motivated to Exercise?

Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou

No Motivation to Workout?

• Exercise Barriers
• Finding Motivation
• Exercise in Everyday Life

Being physically active helps us stay healthy and, if we have a few extra pounds, can also make it easier to lose weight. Yet, knowing this doesn't always help us get off the couch and get onto the treadmill or pick up some weights instead.

If you have every intention to exercise, but working out seems to stay at the bottom of your to-do list, you may be wondering why. The answer to this question is different for everyone because there are many potential reasons why people find it hard to get motivated to work out .

We're all familiar with the most common reasons we don't exercise —we're too busy, too tired, it's too boring, and on and on. Though this is what we tell ourselves, the real reasons we aren't motivated may be a bit more complicated. If you have no motivation to workout, you can start by adding in daily movement that you enjoy that isn't necessarily part of a structured workout. For instance, take your pet or kids on a walk or play with them outdoors - pick up an active hobby like gardening or a team sport. You can also add movement into your day a little at a time by taking the stairs, parking further away from stores and work, or walking to nearby errands.

Barriers to Exercise Motivation

If you are struggling to find the motivation to workout, you may be experiencing a deeper barrier than you realize. Here are some common roadblocks to working out. Consider if one of these seems like it resonates with you, and then take steps to address it.

Exercise Is Unfamiliar

For some people, structured exercise is something they've never had to do before. As a result, it becomes easier to set it by the wayside rather than figure out how to start an exercise program .

This is especially true if your schedule is typically packed, leaving you very little energy to learn a new workout routine. You feel like you lack the mental or physical capacity to add one more item to your to-do list, particularly when that item is something totally new to you.

Exercise Doesn't Fit in With Your Sedentary Lifestyle

Today's world doesn't require as much movement. Many people spend their days working in front of the computer. Nights are spent watching television, catching up on social media, or playing online games. We don't have to be active to get things done.

If this describes your life, it's possible that being sedentary has turned into your comfort zone. This can make it harder to get into an exercise habit.

Exercise Is Considered a Luxury

Some people realize that exercise is necessary for good health, quality of life, and weight management, but it becomes an activity they say they'll do once they have a less full schedule. In this way, it is considered more of a luxury than something they "have to" do.

The issue with this way of thinking is that exercise is important for optimal mental and physical health. Not getting enough regular exercise can result in:

• An increased risk of major medical issues, such as hypertension and insulin resistance
• A decrease in muscle size and strength (called atrophy) can reduce your ability to engage in everyday activities
• Increased incidence of low back pain, as well as increases in back pain severity and disability
• Poorer mental health, partly because exercise helps improve anxiety, depression, and stress

Exercise Is Viewed as Hard

Another reason you may not be motivated to exercise is because you view it as being difficult. You've seen images of people struggling to make it through their workouts and you don't want to have those types of struggles yourself.

Your motivation to work out can be even lower if, in addition to being hard, you view exercise as boring. You picture yourself riding a stationary bike to nowhere, causing your eyes to roll back into your head.

Seeing exercise as something negative—boring, pointless, difficult, repetitious, etc.—isn't likely to inspire you to get to the gym. If anything, it is more likely to inspire you to avoid it!

Negative Consequences Aren't Immediate

For a lot of things in life, there are immediate consequences if we don't do what we're supposed to do. Don't turn at the bend in the road, and you'll drive into the ditch. But what happens if you don't exercise? Usually, nothing. At least, not right away.

Even knowing the possible long-term consequences of not exercising (such as weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer) may not be enough to get us going because it's tough to worry about something that hasn't happened or may never happen.

If any of these ideas strike a chord with you, you may be wondering if it's even possible to find the motivation to exercise. The answer is yes, it is.

The good news is that even just a small change in how you think about exercise can make a big difference when it comes to increasing your motivation.

Find Your Motivation to Work Out

Exercise may be all about moving the body, but the first step is to move your mind. Getting past your mental roadblocks can open the door for new ideas, new attitudes, and a renewed motivation to work out.

Acknowledge Where You Are

In the past, we had more reasons to move. People had to cut their own grass, wash dishes by hand, and walk to school. While we have help with many of these tasks today, it's beneficial to remember that these modern-day conveniences can contribute to our health problems if we let them take over.

Acknowledging where you are, as well as your responsibility to tend to your fitness regularly, helps keep things more in balance. It also brings you one step closer to changing how you live because you recognize where you have room to improve.

Accept Exercise as a Must

If you want to get healthy, exercise is non-negotiable. No pill, diet, or surgical procedure can take the place of being active. So, instead of viewing exercise as a choice, commit to making it a regular part of your day, like making your bed and brushing your teeth.

Making peace with the idea of exercise being as mandatory as taking out the trash often makes it a little easier to do. It doesn't have to happen in a gym or take up hours of your time, either. You can work out at home . You can also do mini-exercise sessions to fit them into your schedule better. Invest in workout clothes that are comfortable and fit properly, such as petite leggings if you have shorter legs.

Knowing you can create your own exercise experience may help you get up and get moving.

Give Your Workouts Meaning

For some people, exercise is a means to an end. It's a way to lose weight or to get a more toned body. Future goals are nice, but there's another part to the equation that, when missing, makes exercise hard to stick to long-term: purpose.

In other words, your workouts need to have value, regardless of whether you ever reach your fitness goal . Working for the future isn't enough to keep us driven and motivated. We need it to mean something now .

Think about what exercise means to you, besides a way to lose weight or gain muscle. What value does it offer outside of your fitness goals?

Your purpose may include using exercise as a way to reduce stress and keep your energy up. Or exercise might be the only time you get to yourself each day. Find your own value and meaning and you'll find your motivation.

Do What Feels Best for You

When it comes to exercising, it's important to find your own path . Too often, the mainstream idea of exercise involves joining health clubs, working out on cardio machines, and taking fitness classes. But what if the thought of doing those things makes you cringe?

Here's some good news—you have the freedom to do whatever activities you like. If you hate the gym, you don't have to join one to get fit. If you hate the repetition and boredom of treadmills, you can try more interactive things like spin class or grabbing a basketball and forming a pickup game.

There are countless ways to exercise, so don't be afraid to think outside of the box. There's boxing, Muay Thai (Thai boxing), hiking, mountain biking, and dancing. You can also try working out on a trampoline or rebounder , or amp up intensity with a vibration plate . Find out what  you  like and forget the rules.

We've tried, tested, and reviewed the best boxing equipment for a home gym. If you're in the market for boxing gear, explore which option may be best for you.

Incorporate Exercise Into Everyday Life

While you're considering your exercise barriers, why not begin to work towards a more active lifestyle? You don't have to turn your whole life upside down. Instead, take small steps to start living a healthier lifestyle.

Work more physical activity into your everyday routine. If you like to keep things simple, you could take several walks throughout the day or add some laps the next time you shop at the mall. Once you're ready, incorporate focused exercise sessions to increase your heart rate and build muscle.

A Word From Verywell

It isn't always easy to get and stay motivated to exercise, but once we figure out what is stopping us and how to overcome it, it becomes easier to make working out a habit. Picking the right activity may even make you look forward to exercise.

We now have streaming fitness videos, podcasts , fitness video games, and a variety of health clubs and gyms to fit every need and budget. There's something out there for all of us. It's just a matter of looking around and picking an activity (and location) that interests you.

Teixeira PJ, Carraça EV, Markland D, Silva MN, Ryan RM. Exercise, physical activity, and self-determination theory: A systematic review . Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act . 2012;9:78. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-9-78

Leon-Latre M, Moreno-Franco B, Andres-Estevan E, et al. Sedentary lifestyle and its relation to cardiovascular risk factors, insulin resistance and inflammatory profile . Revista Espanola de Cardiologia . 2014;67(6):449-55. doi:10.1016/j.rec.2013.10.015

Watson N, Ji X, Yasuhara T, et al. No pain, no gain: Lack of exercise obstructs neurogenesis . Cell Transplantation . 2015;24(4):591-7. doi:10.3727/096368915X687723

Shiri R, Coggon D, Falah-Hassani K. Exercise for the prevention of low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials . Am J Epidemiol . 2018;187(5):1093-1101. doi:10/10/93/aje/kwx337

Mikkelsen K, Stojanovska L, Polenakovic M, Bosevski M, Apostopoulos V. Exercise and mental health . Maturitas . 2017;106:46-56. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.09.003

Lachman ME, Lipsitz L, Lubben J, Castaneda-Sceppa C, Jette AM. When adults don't exercise: Behavioral strategies to increase physical activity in sedentary middle-aged and older adults . Innov Aging . 2018;2(1):igy007. doi:10.1093/geroni/igy007

By Paige Waehner, CPT Paige Waehner is a certified personal trainer, author of the "Guide to Become a Personal Trainer," and co-author of "The Buzz on Exercise & Fitness."