Being in the personal training business for so many years, I’m familiar with all the reasons why people workout. (I’ve also heard all the excuses for why they don’t.) I can say without a doubt that people don’t stick with any fitness program for very long without strong motivation. Changing one’s behaviors and life patterns (a.k.a. bad habits) is not easy. It isn’t that complicated but it’s certainly not easy.

These are 7 motivations people have for working out:

Personal health

Being physically fit doesn’t make someone immune from disease or ill health but it does help with prevention. Obesity is behind so much of the chronic disease Americans deal with. Losing even minimal amounts of extra body fat can have a big impact on health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Being fitter tends to add years to our lives. Some people find strong motivation with the goal of being around to see their grand kids.

Quality of life

Quality of life is connected to health. Greater quality of life has a lot to do with simple functional movement. Can a person get around, comfortably and efficiently, as they go through their day, either working or playing. A fit person usually experiences a higher level of energy; they sleep better; they are more likely to have a positive outlook on life. Not only does being fit give someone a better chance of living long enough to see their grand kids, it also helps ensure that they will be able to play with the grandkids.

Injury prevention

This could be seen as either a personal health or quality of life issue. The important thing is to understand that exercise improves flexibility, mobility, bone density, and joint strength. People who suffer from chronic back pain, as well as those who don’t want to suffer, can really benefit from strength training. Stronger muscles help prevent numerous common knee, ankle, shoulder, and wrist injuries.

Appearance

Losing weight, or more accurately, body fat, has a significant impact on personal health. For some people, vanity is more of a motivator. They simply want to look better or fit in a smaller pair of jean. Perhaps they’re trying to get ready for swim suit season. Dropping extra fat and improving muscle tone does make most people look better.

Sports

Obviously athletes benefit from being fitter. We train young athletes who are just starting to get serious about competition as well as older athletes who want to enjoy competing for as long as possible.

Wanting to compete well and a passion for doing your best are motivations that I can relate to. Some people lose this as they age but there are many opportunities for people to continue with their favorite sports long after they reach the age most athletes retire.

Hobby

Not a high percentage of people who workout, but some do it because they just like doing it. This is probably the strangest motivation for some people to understand. Working out can be fun! That enjoyment can be the primary motivator with fitness and better health simply being a great byproduct.

Saving money

Monetary compensation is a new motivation. Because of the ever increasing cost of healthcare many employers are literally paying people to get healthier. That pay might come in the form of a bonus or from reduced insurance premiums. It’s clearly motivating to some people. Everyone likes to be rewarded.

We do a fitness class for some of the employees at International Medical Group in downtown Indianapolis. Nothing more than a few simple pieces of equipment, an open space, and willing bodies. (It doesn’t take much.) I don’t know what incentives the company might be offering but I can tell you that group of people is already enjoying the benefits of being healthier. I’m sure that some of them are already saving money from their better health.

It’s too bad that some of the reasons I listed aren’t enough motivation for most people. Whatever the reason, we’ll certainly be better off as a country, physically and financially, if people will take steps to improve their fitness. Let me know if you want to add to this list of workout motivations.

Success requires goal setting. You need an end in mind when you start a journey, something to work towards.

“A goal that is casually set and lightly taken is freely abandoned at the first obstacle.”  – Zig Zigler

A goal of  “getting in better shape” isn’t enough.  Vague isn’t very motivating and it’s hard to know when you get there.

Here are some tips I use with my personal training clients:

• Find a picture that represents your goal
• Write down your goal
• Be specific
• Make a plan
• Set a deadline
• Visualize your goal everyday
• Take action today
• Assess your progress regularly – weekly is best
• Keep moving forward