8 Clever Ways to Motivate Yourself to Workout Every Day

1. TV Show Incentive

This first tip for unique ways to motivate yourself to workout is especially helpful if you have a Netflix or Hulu subscription that allows you access to full seasons of TV shows. Promise yourself that you will only watch new episodes of a specific TV show you've been watching (or wanting to watch) if you workout. You can even promise yourself to only watch new episodes of your favorite TV show while you're at the gym in order to motivate yourself to workout even longer than normal. If you prefer interactive tracking over watching shows, you can also try using fun fitness apps during your cardio sessions.

2. Money Jar Incentive

Create a workout jar that you can use to deposit money into every time you workout. If you have something in mind you've been wanting to save money for, put a picture of it on the jar to remind yourself what you're working towards. Then, depending on your funds, vow to throw in a couple of bucks every time you exercise. Set a goal that you will either wait until you reach a certain amount, or check the jar after 3 months to see how much you've collected and put it towards something you've been wanting! Similar reward incentives help turn workout routines into fun, tangible achievements.

3. Commit Publicly

Either the night before, or the morning of, tweet or post to social media the workout routine you plan to do. You can post something like "Early morning workout tomorrow to get ready for beach season! #motivated" or share on Facebook or Instagram that you're taking a Zumba class in the evening if anyone wants to join. For some reason, it always feels harder to bail if you've already publicly committed to it!

4. Use Fun Apps

There are tons of fun smartphone apps that help motivate you to workout. For instance, check out Zombies, Run! on the Apple App Store, an app available for both iPhone and Android that turns your daily jog into an immersive story about survival. You can also try MapMyRun, which outlines your running route and motivates you to get creative by making running paths shaped like hearts or stars. Plus, you can challenge yourself to beat your own personal record every time you work out.

Top features to look for in workout motivation apps:

5. Create a Game

Creating a game out of everyday tasks is a great way to motivate yourself to do it. You can try games like "how fast can you burn 300 calories?" and then attempt to beat your best time during future sessions. Or set up a point system where you earn points every time you complete a specific exercise routine. At the end of the week, tally up your points and cash them in for fun, customized rewards.

6. Trade Workouts

Trying out a new way to exercise can be a great incentive to workout. For example, instead of going to the gym, look up local hiking trails near you and explore the outdoors instead! Or get some friends together and start a friendly tennis or basketball game. If traditional workouts feel repetitive, trading workouts for fun group activities makes exercise feel like recreation rather than an obligation.

7. Move to the Front

A great motivation for working out is to sign up for a fitness class! Then, once you get there, make sure you position yourself right at the front of the class. If you feel like there are more eyes on you, you will try your hardest not to stop! When someone next to you at the gym is running faster or pushing harder, it naturally inspires you to step up your effort too. It's a simple mental trick that really works!

8. Body Inspiration Photo Incentive

Start collecting photos of women who have healthy, strong bodies that inspire your personal fitness journey. You can keep a digital mood board or create a dedicated Pinterest board filled with inspiring visual cues. Whenever you don't feel like working out, pulling up your inspiration board gives you that quick boost of motivation needed to hit the gym!

Hopefully, these unique ways to motivate yourself to workout will get you up off the couch and on the right track to looking and feeling great! It's all about getting into a consistent routine because once you do, you will find it much harder to skip your fitness sessions. How do you motivate yourself to workout?