The Best Ways to Start a Consistent Workout Routine

We all know that a consistent workout routine yields the most benefits, but for many, developing consistency is the most difficult part of a workout routine. Without fail, the gym is packed at the start of each New Year, but within a few weeks or months, many of those New Year newbies fail to stick around. 

So what's the secret of those gym-goers that have a consistent routine all year round? 

They have built a habit. 

Building a habit takes time and many repetitions of the same action. Here are my top six ways to build a consistent workout routine:

If you absolutely despise running, don’t run. If you do things that you don’t enjoy, you aren’t going to look forward to your workout. Build your workout routine around things that you like. Whether it’s lifting, yoga, walking or cycling, do the things that you love. 

This isn’t to say that you should never try to add new things in your routine. Once in a while you can sprinkle in the activities that you don’t enjoy as much, but don’t center your entire routine around them.

There is an abundance of workout videos, and tutorials on YouTube. Even if you don’t have a gym membership, you can easily follow along to one of the many workout videos on YouTube at home. 

YouTube videos can also help you if you aren’t sure how to use a piece of equipment or how to perform a specific exercise. Don’t be afraid to pull out your phone and take a minute or two to look up a video at the gym.

During my busy week, sometimes I don’t want to think about my workout routine. Instead, I let the instructors in the workout classes at my gym tell me what to do. Plus, if you’re feeling unmotivated, the peer pressure of being in a workout class definitely motivates! Some of my favorite classes at my gym are cycling, yoga and HIIT.

Find a pre-made workout plan

There are so many workout plans available online that will give you workouts for extended periods of time. These workout plans can help you avoid that lost feeling that many gym newcomers experience. There are also some apps available that have workout plans that you can follow along with.

At the start of each week, schedule in your workouts. If you have each of your workouts in your schedule, you have no excuse not to do it!

It’s a common mistake of people trying to build a workout routine that they do too much too fast. If your schedule doesn’t allow for daily workouts, it’s okay to go only once or twice a week. Having a routine that you can keep up with is better than having a “perfect” routine that is unattainable.