7 Ways to Learn to Love “Your Fitness Lifestyle” aka Weightlifting

Some people just plain hate lifting weights. That’s unfortunate, considering enjoyment is key for sticking with a lifting routine long enough to see the strength- and muscle-building benefits.

“If you’re forcing yourself to train every day, you’re not going to have a good time, and you’re not going to give it everything you have,” says Joel Freeman, a Beachbody super trainer, and creator of the LIIFT4 program. Chances are you won’t keep it up.

The CDC recommends doing at least two days of strength training every week, making sure to work all your major muscle groups (glutes, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest, back, biceps, triceps, abdominals). But if you can swing it, 3–4 days of strength training is ideal, according to Freeman.

Use these seven methods to make those days more bearable. Who knows, you may even come to love lifting.

Seven ways to cultivate a love for weightlifting

Redefine your goals: Move away from purely aesthetic goals and focus on the sense of accomplishment that comes from improving strength, mastering techniques, or simply showing up consistently.
Find your tribe: Join group classes, find a workout buddy, or connect with online fitness communities. Sharing the journey with others who are passionate about weightlifting can make the experience more fun and motivating.
Celebrate every victory: Acknowledge and appreciate your progress, no matter how small it may seem. Whether it’s adding an extra rep, lifting a slightly heavier weight, or simply completing a challenging session, celebrating these achievements can boost confidence and fuel motivation.
Create a positive atmosphere: Personalize your workout space with motivational quotes or uplifting music, or choose a gym with an environment that energizes you. Upbeat music with strong rhythms can help keep you motivated and distract from discomfort during exercise.
Embrace mindfulness: Focus on the present moment during your workouts, paying attention to how your body feels with each movement. This mind-body connection can foster a deeper appreciation for the act of movement itself.
Diversify your routine: Avoid monotony by incorporating different exercises, trying new classes (such as dance or martial arts), or varying your lifting approach (e.g., trying different rep ranges or exercise variations like sumo deadlifts or RDLs instead of traditional deadlifts).
Reward yourself: Treat yourself to something enjoyable when you achieve a fitness goal or complete a certain number of workouts. This could be a new piece of workout gear, a massage, or a healthy meal.

1. Identify Your “WHY”. Why Do You Go To The Gym?

You’re more likely to enjoy your training if you know why you’re doing it. So, answer this question: What are you hoping to get out of lifting weights?

Your mind may automatically turn to aesthetic goals like building muscle or losing fat, or performance goals like deadlifting twice your bodyweight. Those goals are great, but it’s easy to lose steam when you don’t see major changes in a short time. “People are very impatient. They start working, and they want to see results in one week,” Freeman says.

By all means, keep those aesthetic goals, but dig a little to find deeper reasons for lifting because that will keep you going when your six-pack doesn’t pop up in a couple of weeks. Start by thinking of all the things strength training can help you do better: carry groceries, ski or mountain bike, keep up with your kids, etc.

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2. Try Different Training Styles

There are many ways to train your muscles. So, if you haven’t had a good experience with strength training in the past, it could be that you haven’t found the right style for you.

Play around with different forms of weight training until you find something that clicks. Some options include:

“You gotta find something you enjoy because then you’re gonna be more prone to doing it regularly, versus finding an excuse not to do it,” Freeman says.

3. Sign Up For a Class

For added encouragement and expert guidance, take a virtual or in-person class (if you can do it safely).

Classes also offer a great opportunity to mix up your training. You can often find ones that combine strength training with other exercises, like yoga, cardio, or even mixed martial arts.

See if your local gym or fitness studio offers online classes or try digital platforms.

4. Find One Or Two Training Partner

Training with friends can motivate you to lift when you wouldn’t otherwise. Clang iron with a friend in your garage, join a virtual class, or swap advice with like-minded people in an online fitness community.

5. Turn Up For The Music

Few things make a weight session crawl by like hearing nothing but your own heavy breathing. Use music to fill the empty space and keep you pumped to lift. “Just put your favorite playlist on, crank it up, and get it done,” Freeman says.

6. Have Fun With Fitness/ Bodybuilding Equipment

Sometimes, the best way to inject a little fun into your routine is to swap out your go-to for a different tool. If you usually lift dumbbells, for example, kettlebells could be a great alternative (and vice versa). Or, you could try an entirely new tool, like battle ropes, prowler sleds, or suspension trainers.

What tool you try will depend on your budget, whether you’re at home or in the gym, and how much skill is involved. Here are several at-home and in-gym tools to try:

Barbells
Resistance bands
Prowler sleds
Battle ropes
Medicine balls
Cable machines
Kettlebells
Weight machines
Suspension trainers
Dumbbells
Wall balls
Sliders
Chains
Wrist and ankle weights
Adjustable weights
Sandbags
Tires
Stability balls
BOSU balance trainers

7. Learn A Skill In The Gym

There are many challenging, skill-focused strength exercises to conquer. Choose an exercise that intrigues you and get to work.

If nothing comes to mind, consider one of these moves:

Kettlebell or barbell snatch
Turkish getup
Pistol squat
L-sit
Handstand
Single-arm overhead squat
Pullup
Burpee
Barbell squat

However, don’t try to nail these moves on your own. Work with a fitness professional who can help you stay safe and injury-free during the process. He or she can provide exercises to help you build up the strength and mobility needed to do the full movement and make sure your form is on-point.

Wrapping Up

It’s crucial to choose rewards that are in line with your overall fitness and health goals. For instance, if your goal is weight loss, rewarding yourself with a dessert might be counterproductive. Instead, opt for rewards that support your journey and help you maintain a positive and healthy lifestyle.

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