5 excuses for not exercising that don't work anymore

We get it – even if you like being fit, the hard work that gets you there isn’t always fun. Some days it just seems like a drag, where every minute on the treadmill is a struggle. Maybe you find excuses to avoid it, let the idea of a ‘fitness lifestyle’ slip away or even fall out of love with exercise altogether (say it isn’t so!)

Whatever your grudge against the gym, we’re here to help. We’ve heard all the excuses, so if you find yourself fighting against fitness for any of these five common reasons, allow us to change your mind.

1. “It’s boring.”

Mind-numbing treadmill slogs, repetitive, ineffective exercises – no wonder you’re bored! Rather than packing it in, explore and find your perfect fit.

The key to loving exercise is simple: if you enjoy it, you’ll stick with it. Say ‘so long’ to over-long workouts and give HIIT/HIRT training a go – short, effective bursts get a lot done in just 20 minutes. If repetition is dulling your edges, break up your routine with something completely different, like adding a Pilates day to your training. Even listening to music or training with a friend can make exercise more fun and keep you moving for longer.

2. “I don’t have the energy.”

Training is hard, it hurts and sometimes you’d just really rather not. Instead of giving up, take a closer look: Are you eating the right foods to fuel your workout? Are you getting rest? Warming up and cooling down? Remember, DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) happens to everyone, so don’t be disheartened. Rest and roll it out, then come back stronger tomorrow.

If you can’t muster the mental energy to move, try the five minute rule our HIIT/HIRT/MMA trainer Tiffiny Hall swears by. Tell yourself, ‘Just do five minutes,’ then another, and another. Before you know it, you’ve done a full workout.

3. “I’m too self-conscious.”

“I’m so unfit. My face gets red. I’m uncoordinated. Everything jiggles when I run!”

If embarrassment is your biggest barrier, it may help to know that even our Centr experts have had their moments. Da Rulk admits to wearing a fanny pack and spandex to the gym, Simon Hill split his shorts on his first set of squats and Tiffiny Hall once donned a wetsuit before hitting the treadmill.

We’re all on our own fitness journeys. Of course, working out in public isn’t everybody’s idea of a good time. Centr workouts let you sweat it out in the privacy of your own home and many don’t even require equipment. So if you split your pants, it stays between you and the cat.

4. “What's the point?”

You'll find far stronger motivation to keep going when you set a purpose and a personal goal. A vague intention of "getting fit" won't energize you like a goal specific to your own life and circumstance.

"You get results based on your purpose, consistency and remembering your ‘why’,” says Centr bodybuilding expert Torre Washington.

Once you find your why, you’ll have the key to your motivation and momentum. Look back on it when you feel yourself flagging and remember why this is important to you.

5. “I can’t keep up with fitness culture – it’s too confusing!”

We hear you – one day everyone’s gone keto, the next day they’re on a detox. Fads move fast, and it’s enough to make some folks throw in the towel.

Luckily that's not a problem when you join Centr – we take the guesswork out of health and fitness with a holistic and balanced program to help you train, eat and live well.