Getting a gym membership is a great way to start the new year. However, holding yourself accountable is one of the hardest parts of exercising, which is a primary reason more than 90% of new gym attendees quit within their first three months. To stay motivated and make the most of your workout routine, follow these tips.

How to Stick to Your Fitness Goals

1. Have Realistic Expectations

It may be tempting to set out with a weekly gym schedule of five to six sessions, but this can quickly become a daunting task. Instead, try going once or twice a week to start. This will allow you to get a feel for the exercises and equipment and begin building a sense of confidence. Fitness is a gradual process, and it’s best to take it slow at the beginning before you can expect noticeable results.

2. Bring a Friend

It’s common to hear peer pressure described negatively, but it can have positive effects as well. In fact, exercising in pairs or groups can result in greater efforts to improve, more impressive gains, and better overall outcomes. Exercising with someone will provide you with a valuable source of support, advice, and encouragement, and you’ll be less likely to skip a gym session if someone else is counting on you.

3. Focus on Action

Before you begin telling others about your new workout regimen, consider keeping it to yourself. The more you talk about what you’re going to do, the more daunting it may seem. This can make you feel defeated before you have the chance to make any positive steps. Rather than talk about your intentions, describe your actions only after you’ve begun regularly exercising.

4. Make a Plan

At the beginning of each month, draw up a month-long workout plan with specific goals to meet along the way. In addition to establishing a long-term target, this will help you visualize objectives and track progress. Even if you don’t hit all the milestones, you’ll end the month with evidence of your hard work and a clearer idea of what you need to work on in the months to come.

For help achieving your fitness goals, turn to House of Pain Gym in Maryland Heights, MO. These professionals are dedicated to providing detailed instruction and assistance to help you work out safely and effectively, with a full range of fitness equipment available 24/7. Visit their website to learn more about how they can help you, or call (314) 398-8184 to ask about membership options today.