Why is it so hard to find the motivation to work out? You know you’ll feel better after, but sometimes it’s just too tempting to hit that snooze button.
Staying motivated to work out consistently isn’t about forcing your way through it – it’s about understanding how your brain works, recognizing when you feel most switched on, and building habits that make showing up feel easier.
Below, we break down how to get motivated to work out so you can build consistency in your routine and approach your VAURA workouts with the right energy and mindset.
What is motivation – and why does it come and go?
Motivation is an internal or external force that drives you to do something.
Your brain is always weighing effort against reward. When something feels too hard, or when there are too many perceived steps involved, it looks for an easier option. That’s why motivation often drops right before a workout.
Research in behavioral science shows this is linked to your dopamine system – the chemical tied to anticipation and reward – which rises when something feels simple and achievable and falls when it feels difficult or uncertain¹. That’s why staying motivated to work out isn’t about relying on how you feel in the moment. It’s about reducing barriers, building habits, and creating structure to help you keep showing up.
10 ways to stay motivated to exercise
At VAURA, our philosophy is that a workout should never feel like hard work. It should feel approachable and rewarding – something you circle in your calendar, rather than dread.
Below, we share 10 tips on how to stay motivated to exercise, so you can feel just as good about showing up as you do once it’s done.
1. Choose movement you enjoy
It might sound obvious, but you should actually enjoy training. If every session feels like a chore, staying motivated to work out becomes much harder.
So, move away from the “pain is gain” mindset – long runs and heavy lifting aren’t your only options! Reformer Pilates offers a low-impact way to build strength and endurance, using constant resistance to challenge your muscles – without straining your joints.
At VAURA, our workouts combine Pilates movement with athletic training, so each session feels energizing, effective, and genuinely enjoyable.
2. Start small and build momentum
One mistake to avoid when starting Pilates is expecting to do everything perfectly from your first time. Building momentum is like building a muscle, in that it takes strength, control, and – most importantly – consistency.
That’s why our instructors guide you through each movement by starting with the base and layering in progressions. For example, you might begin a push-up on your knees, then move onto your toes when you’re ready. You’ll feel supported to improve, without being pushed beyond what feels right.
Are you a Pilates beginner? Find out everything you need to know before your first time at a VAURA studio.
3. Schedule your workouts like appointments
Treat your sessions like fixed appointments – not something optional. Here it’s important to be honest with yourself – if you’re not a morning person, don’t book a 6am class! Similarly, if you feel more drained in the evening, don’t rely on your willpower after work.
If you can, plan out your classes at the start of your week. You can use the VAURA app to book in advance, sync to your calendar, and get reminders for upcoming workouts.
4. Keep things varied and challenging
One of the simplest tips to stay motivated to exercise is to mix up your workouts. Doing the same session on repeat gets predictable fast, while new formats, music, and movement styles keep things engaging and easier to come back to.
At VAURA, you can switch it up with three distinct class styles:
- Total – a full-body mix of strength and cardio
- Jumpboards – low-impact cardio that lifts your heart rate
- Stretch – Pilates and yoga inspired movement focused on flexibility and mobility
5. Track your performance – not your weight
You hear a lot of noise around goal setting in fitness – and, when it comes to how to stay motivated to exercise, it still plays an important role.
That said, it’s all too easy to become fixated on the number on the scale. And, while Pilates is good for weight loss, using that as your only measure of success can feel demotivating.
Instead, pay attention to the wins you can feel – whether that’s holding a plank for 30 seconds longer than you could last week, practicing movements with better form, or using the heavier spring on the Reformer. That’s the real progress – and it’s worth celebrating!
6. Do something, even if it’s small
Motivation often follows action – not the other way around. Getting started, even in a small way, can build momentum.
Once you start moving, your body releases endorphins – the feel-good chemicals that reinforce the habit and make you want to keep going2.
So on low-energy days, take the “no-think” approach. Instructor-led sessions, like those you’ll find at your local VAURA studio, mean you just show up and follow along, without having to decide what to do next or how to structure your workout.
7. Make it easy to get started
It’s surprisingly easy to find a reason not to work out. Maybe your favorite leggings are in the wash. Perhaps you can’t find your socks, or you’re suddenly unsure what to eat before you train. Small things, but they’re enough to slow you down – or stop you altogether.
Remove those barriers before they show up. For example, lay out your activewear the night before, pack your bag, and plan your snacks if you’re training later in the day. Keep everything simple so you can move straight into your workout without overthinking it.
8. Fuel your body
Motivation comes from energy, and your energy comes from how you fuel your body.
What you eat supports both your brain and your performance, so aim for balanced, nutritious meals that keep you energized. Prioritizing protein also helps, as Pilates builds muscle, supports strength and recovery, and helps you feel ready to come back to your next class with even more motivation.
9. Exercise with a friend
Not only is exercising with a friend more fun and less intimidating, it makes you accountable to someone other than yourself. After all, you’re far less likely to press that snooze button when you know someone is waiting for you. It’s also a great way to stay social and reap the mental health benefits of regularly seeing loved ones. Win win!
At VAURA, our studios are centered around community. The group class environment is there to support you – full of people who know how to get motivated for a workout and help you keep showing up.
10. Celebrate consistency, not perfection
Results come from showing up consistently, not from the perfect workout.
If you set a goal – for example, five workouts in a week – reward yourself when you follow through. It can be something simple, like a good meal or a quiet night in. For bigger milestones – like a full month of consistency – make it more tangible. New activewear is a great treat to mark your progress, and keep the momentum going!
Now you know how to start exercising and stick to it, next learn how the VAURA approach to working out helps you feel strong all year round.
1 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3032992/
2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6091217/