Now, we all know how difficult it can be to get up off the couch and hit the gym for a strenuous workout. Your home, you’re comfortable, there’s a new season of Game of Thrones to catch up on: everything is pointing to spending the evening in only one way, and it doesn’t involve a treadmill or anything like that. However, you know, deep down, that you’ll feel much better for hitting the gym than sitting in front of the box all night. Below, we offer five tips for when you really need to dig deep.

Look Into the Future

Your lack of motivation is usually only a fleeting feeling. Once you’re at the gym, you’ll know that you made the right choice, and then when you’re home, you’ll know for certain that it was for the best. We live for that after gym glow. So instead of seeing what’s on TV, take a look at your future instead. If you can find a small burst of energy, that future, the one where you feel satisfied and healthy, will be yours. You can even look further into the future and see your next trip to the beach: what body would you want to have?

Bursts of Energy

If our bodies are tired, it’s harder to find that motivation we need for a workout. If we’re tired now, how tired will we be after a trip to the gym, we ask. However, tiredness can be deceptive. Often, we’re not tired: we just haven’t given ourselves any reason to have energy. If you can find a burst of energy, you’ll feel alert and ready to tackle your routine. Have a Monster Energy drink, have a quick dance around the room, and before you know it, nothing will be able to stop you from pumping iron. Energy always breeds more energy, remember!

Buddy System

It’s not just you having a difficult time finding the motivation to visit the gym. Your friend is, too. This is where you can help each other. Gym buddy systems have been talked about for a few years, for one simple reason: they work. Knowing that someone else is waiting for you at the gym is all takes to hit the gym, even when you don’t really want to. Something inside of us doesn’t want to show other people we’ve given up. Whatever that thing is, we salute it!

Self-Bribery

You work hard; you get a reward, right? That’s how it works. If necessary, you can bribe yourself with rewards. Tell yourself that if you get up and go to the gym right now, when you’re home, you can order that new gadget you’ve had your eye on, or enjoy a meal from your favorite takeaway restaurant. You’ll have earned it!

Blast the Tunes

If nothing else works, always remember the tried and tested ‘pumped up workout songs.’ These classics will have racing to the gym, ready to unleash your power on the first machine you can get your hands on.