From Gym Newbie to Pro: Why Motivation Isn’t Enough

Dear MuscleWiki Faithful,

Read the full article here.

Ready to level up your fitness game? Over the next month, I’ll be guiding you from feeling like a gym newbie to becoming a gym pro in a series of articles and videos. I know it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the conflicting advice out there—functional training vs. bodybuilding, keto vs. other diets, evidence-based approaches vs. bro science—it can be a lot to take in.

This time, we’re focusing on a crucial element of fitness success: consistency.

Forget About Motivation

It might sound crazy, but here’s the truth: motivation isn’t what you should be relying on to get you to the gym. Many people struggle with maintaining a consistent workout routine because they’re waiting for that burst of motivation. Sound familiar? One good month of workouts, then you stop. Train hard for two weeks, then take a month off. Prep for spring break or a wedding, then stop again after.

This focus on motivation can be detrimental in the long run. I’ve been training consistently for 12 years, and let me tell you, I rarely feel motivated to go to the gym. Most of the time, I don’t want to go at all. And this is true for many dedicated gym-goers you know personally or follow online.

Why Discipline Beats Motivation Every Time

The reason relying on motivation is a mistake is simple: you won’t feel motivated often enough for it to be your MAIN driver. You need to hit the gym whether you feel like it or not. That’s where discipline comes in.

And this isn’t just my opinion—it’s backed by research. Some people think of willpower as a limited resource, like gas in a car. But neuroscientists haven’t found a “willpower reservoir” in the brain. So why do some people seem to have more willpower than others?

One study, “Implicit Theories About Willpower Predict Self-Regulation and Grades in Everyday Life,” offers insight. The study found that people who believe willpower is abundant, rather than limited, exhibit better self-control and achieve better outcomes. Essentially, if you believe you have unlimited willpower, you do.

Another study, “Implicit Theories About Willpower Predict Subjective Well-Being,” found that believing willpower is limited can negatively impact your well-being and your ability to achieve personal goals.

The Takeaway

Your belief systems make a massive difference. If you think you need to feel motivated to work out, then on days when you don’t feel motivated, the workout simply won’t happen. Instead, start focusing on building discipline.

Full article here

Next time, we’ll get into specifics on exactly how to turn hitting the gym into a habit. Stay tuned.

Deuces ✌️