Before diving into this week’s blog – hints for staying motivated – I just wanted to quickly mention a couple of things:

– Our Christmas hours are in full swing – all of the classes are CORRECT in FitBox and on the signs up around the gym.  I totally understand that it can be frustrating when your favourite class is missing for a few days but hope you understand that after 14x Christmas periods at the gym we have learned that attendance becomes a bit haphazard and the staff need a break as well!

– Thanks to everyone who brought a friend along to our ‘bring a friend’ week – really appreciate it and hope they had some fun.  We’ll be doing this again in late Feb/early March and hopefully we have some more smiling people in the gym.  Remember – if there are people in your lives who you think would benefit from training with us at Round 1 we would LOVE to hear about them…just reach out with the details and we’ll do the rest.

– This Saturday (December 21st) we have our annual “12-days of Christmas” workout in the strength gym.  This class is open to be booked by anyone regardless of membership type (but Rolling Thunder WILL be running in the boxing gym for those who want that).  We will have Ice Baths on offer post workout for anyone who wants to use them…and we would LOVE it if everyone dressed in Christmas colours for the workout.

– I’ve had a couple of queries from the Functional Fitness crew about programming and workouts etc.  We are kind of in an ‘in between’ block and I am 100% experimenting with a couple of ‘different’ lifting blocks – basically I’m assuming attendance will be a bit more haphazard so daily volume will be going up (a bit) and you will see some challenges you would not have done before (the ‘Shock Method’ stuff programmed for this week is a great example).  Never fear, I will be back providing full training plan details in 2025!

Thanks for reading – I do appreciate it…now onto the motivation piece!

Let’s be honest—if you’re sitting around waiting to feel motivated, you might be waiting a long time (maybe forever). The secret isn’t motivation; it’s action. You’ve got to just start—build a habit so that how you feel becomes secondary to what you do.

But let’s face it, even the best habits hit a bump in the road. Life happens—busy schedules, fatigue, or those days where you just can’t shake the bad mood. And when you veer off the “righteous path” (because we all do), sometimes you need a little spark—a nudge in the right direction.

The good news? Motivation isn’t some mystical force; it’s something you create. By building routines, discovering what works for you, and leaning on your community for support, you can keep moving forward—even when things feel tough.

In order to try and provide a bit of context here, I asked each of the awesome coaches at Round 1 to share their personal secrets for staying motivated and engaged in their training – honestly, when you WORK in the gym it really is tough to contemplate extra hours in the same place to exercise…these guys do a great job of that and their insights were pretty good:

1. Set Small, Achievable Goals (Tracey)

“I like to set one small goal each week—something realistic but meaningful. Whether it’s lifting a little heavier or running just a bit further, these small wins build momentum.”

• Tracey’s Tip: Start small. Success breeds success, and those tiny victories add up over time.

2. Schedule Your Workouts Like Appointments (Matt)

“For me, my workouts go into the calendar just like a meeting or an appointment. Once it’s there, I treat it as non-negotiable.”

• Matt’s Tip: Plan your week in advance, and treat exercise as a commitment, not an option.

3. Rely on Your Community (Hayden)

“I draw so much energy from the people around me. Whether it’s a class or a training partner, having others to share the effort makes a huge difference.”

• Hayden’s Tip: Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Accountability and connection can be powerful motivators.

4. Mix Things Up (Sophie)

“When I feel like I’m going through the motions, I mix things up. It could be trying a new class, changing my playlist, or challenging myself with something different.”

• Sophie’s Tip: Variety keeps your workouts exciting and helps you avoid plateaus.

5. Focus on the Feeling (Gabby)

“I remind myself how good I’ll feel afterward. Even on the days when I’m dragging myself in, I’ve never once regretted a workout.”

• Gabby’s Tip: If motivation is low, focus on the post-workout feeling. It’s almost always worth the effort.

6. Remember Your ‘Why’ (Clint)

“I think about the bigger picture—why I started in the first place. Whether it’s health, performance, or just setting a good example for my kids, that ‘why’ gets me out of bed.”

• Clint’s Tip: Stay connected to your purpose. Write it down, and keep it visible for those tougher days.

7. (Bonus Entry) Embrace the Tough Days (Matt)

“Not every day is going to feel great, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to show up even when I don’t feel 100% because I know consistency is what matters most.”

• Matt’s Tip: Motivation isn’t about always being ‘on.’ Sometimes, it’s about showing up and trusting the process.

Finding Your Motivation

Each of our coaches has a unique way of staying motivated, but the common thread is consistency and self-awareness. What works for Tracey might not work for you, and that’s okay. Experiment with these strategies and find what clicks.

At Round 1 Fitness, we’re here to support you—whether it’s through our diverse range of classes, expert coaching, or just being part of a community that lifts each other up. Remember, motivation isn’t something you wait for; it’s something you create.