The Truth About Training Motivation

The Truth About Training Motivation (No One Wants to Hear)

Most people think motivation is the magic switch that gets them training consistently. They wait around for the right mood, a wave of energy, or a motivational video to hit before they act. But here’s the cold truth: if you rely on motivation alone, you’ll never get anywhere.

The people who succeed in training don’t always feel like it — they’ve just stopped waiting for the perfect moment. They show up regardless. And ironically, that’s what keeps them going. The real secret? Motivation isn’t the starting point. It’s a byproduct of action.

How I feel during most of my runs...

It Comes After You Start, Not Before

Waiting for motivation is like waiting for rain in a drought. Most days, it’s not coming. But once you lace up your trainers, walk into the gym, or press play on your workout, something shifts. The momentum builds, and suddenly, you're in it.

Action triggers motivation. Not the other way around. Even if you start slow, just starting changes your mindset. The hardest part is often the first 5 minutes — after that, you’re already doing the thing you were trying to talk yourself into.

You Don’t Need to Be Hyped to Make Progress

You don’t need a Rocky soundtrack, a pre-workout buzz, or a massive PR to make gains. Real progress comes from consistent, sometimes boring, sometimes low-energy effort stacked over time.

The quiet sessions — the ones where you’re tired, stressed, or just not “feeling it” — matter just as much as the ones where you're buzzing. Progress isn’t about perfect vibes. It’s about showing up and doing the work even when you’d rather not.

Your motivation shouldn't determine your outcome.

Discipline Beats Motivation Every Time

Motivation is a mood. Discipline is a habit. And the people who transform their bodies? They’re the ones who train when they don’t feel like it. They’ve built discipline, not just relied on short bursts of inspiration.

Discipline means you keep promises to yourself. You follow the plan, not your feelings. It’s the ultimate superpower because it frees you from the rollercoaster of waiting to feel ready.

Seeing Progress Keeps You Motivated

Here’s the twist: motivation does show up — just later. You start to feel more motivated when you see results: your clothes fit better, the weights feel easier, your mood improves, your energy goes up.

Progress is proof that your effort is working. And that proof builds belief. The more you show up, the more you win. The more you win, the more motivated you feel. But you’ve got to earn that first.

Small wins add up to big wins over time.

Set SMART Goals

Vague goals create vague results. “I want to get fitter” isn’t enough. You need clear, realistic targets. That’s where SMART goals come in: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

For example, “I want to lose 5kg in 12 weeks by training 4x a week and tracking my food” gives you direction, structure, and accountability. That kind of clarity fuels your discipline — and helps you see tangible progress faster.

Train on the Days You Don’t Feel Like It. That’s When It Counts.

Anyone can train when they’re in the mood. But champions are built on the days they aren’t. Every time you show up despite low motivation, you're building resilience, grit, and long-term momentum.

So stop waiting. Start acting. Build discipline. Set goals. And let motivation catch up later — because it always does.

You'll always feel better afterwards.

Are you looking to achieve your fitness goals?

I help men & women get strong, lean & confident with structured training and nutrition in 90 days.

No boring diets, no guilt and not missing out on fun with your friends and family. 

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Andy.