Don’t you hate when you’re at the gym – or when you talk to someone about your fitness levels – and it seems like they never struggle with the motivation to just stay active? It’s like their will power is so strong that no doubts ever cross their mind about the need to get up and work out.

Meanwhile, you are constantly struggling with the motivation to skip today’s workout and just spend the day on the couch. You’ll work out tomorrow, but not today.

Well, you’re not the only one. Everyone struggles with motivation at one point – even the people who don’t show it – and we all want to take a day off from working out.

It’s not so much about those negative thoughts and more about what your reaction is. Do you cave and let your doubt win, or do you rise up and fight those doubts with positivity?

Here are a few things to think about if you know you need to work out, but are struggling to want to work out:

Make It More Enjoyable

A simple solution is to just make your daily routine more enjoyable and excitable. If your regular routine consists of plain weight lifting and the same machines you’ve used for many years, then find something that provides the same workout but is a breath of fresh air.

I recommend looking into something like a rowing machine that will infuse some excitement into your fitness regime. A rowing machine can be a fun exercise but also gives you a full-body workout. Honestly, in some ways, a rowing machine might provide a better workout than what you are doing because of how effective it is.

Find a machine or a certain exercise that excites you and adapt to it. This will make your workouts more enjoyable and you’ll get excited at the idea of working out.

Take It Outside

Skip the gym, ditch the basement, and take it outside.

There are a ton of great exercises you can do outdoors and you’ll jump at the chance to see new sights and breathe fresh air. Every now and then, it might become routine to do your workout alongside nature and under the warmth of the sun.

Personally, I treat myself every weekend by taking my workout outside after I stay active all week. This motivates me to work out hard all week, and it excites me on Saturday morning when I’d rather keep sleeping.

Find a Workout Partner

A great way to stay motivated is to find a workout partner who has the same goals and needs as you. This other person will keep you going when you’d rather quit, and you’ll act as each other’s motivator when you just want to skip that day’s activity.

It’s not always easy to find the perfect partner, but keep looking for the person who syncs up with you just right. You can put up a notice at your gym, find a friend, or talk with a family member who knows about your struggles. The perfect workout partner might be closer than you think.

Keep Things Fresh

I think the biggest thing we need to do as human beings, keeps our workouts fresh, unique, and exciting. We will all become bored with something if it’s the same thing day after day.

Find a new place to workout, try out a new machine regularly, listen to new music or podcasts to stimulate your mind, or just change your regular routine every few weeks. If you are so bored with your workout that you start to slack off after a while, then how effective can it really be to you.

Just remember, we all struggle at one time or another, and you’re not alone.