Motivation is one of the most fascinating parts of the fitness industry. Muscle movement and exercise physiology has became almost an exact science. Burn more calories than you consume. Increase your weight or your reps, etc. But, there’s so much about psychology that’s still unknown. A lot of it is trial and error — or finding what works for you. So, you may say ten different fitness quotes in your class, but only one will resonate with each participant. Even more interesting is that each participant may latch on to a different fitness motivation.
As fitness instructors, it’s important to mix up the motivational techniques in class to make sure that each person hears or feels the motivation they need to push themselves. I shared three fitness quotes in Monday’s post, and here are three more different quotes to introduce in your fitness classes.
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“If you ain’t pissed off for greatness, that just means you’re okay with being mediocre,” said Ray Lewis.
I personally find it very motivating to acknowledge the status quo and question whether that’s good enough for me. It helps me recognize that I’m comfortable in my current situation and can push myself further than this.
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“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway,” said Earl Nightingale.
This is a great one, because it helps participants think big. No goal is too big, because we have so much time (long-term) to devote to it. This may not be a great one for busy participants, like working moms or the 6 a.m. participants that squeeze in a 45-minute workout on the way to their day job. If folks don’t have much time, this quote might have them questioning why they’re spending their precious time at the gym.
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“Most people give up right before the big break comes — don’t let that person be you,” said Michael Boyle.
This one is such a no-brainer for a fitness class. This fits perfectly at the end of an interval or set, when participants are going to want to start falling off.
With these fitness quotes, you’ll have a new arsenal of motivational topics to share with your Group X classes.
For more ideas, check out the fitness motivation and cueing page.
