How To Set Fitness Goals

Goal setting. For some, it's a way of life. Others struggle to set and keep motivated towards exceeding, even meeting, their personal goals.

We believe fitness goals are important for many reasons, including (but of course, not limited to):

• Help hold us accountable
• Expand our definition of possible
• Encourage us to push through temporary discomfort for longer-lasting results and long-term change
• Helps provide structure and thoughtfulness behind your workouts
• Extra incentive to keep going when motivation wanes

If you're not setting or reaching your fitness goals, take a step back. Consider whether the goals you have set for yourself are unsustainable, or maybe simply unrealistic. Maybe you have set too many goals at once?

There's nothing worse than setting a goal, then failing to achieve it. Many times, we feel worse about ourselves than before we started, and no one should have to deal with detrimental feelings in the gym! Here are a few tips for creating real, positive changes in your fitness routine!

How to Set (and CRUSH) Your Fitness Goals

1. To avoid unsustainable efforts, focus on one goal at a time.
2. Alternatively, try developing micro- or mini goals that lead into a bigger, more long-term goal.
3. When just starting out, it's best to set smaller, more attainable goals.
4. Understand your motivation behind the goal(s). Being passionate about a goal can help boost your motivation to reach said goal.
5. Be (at least a little) flexible about your definition of "success."
6. Make sure your goal(s) are measurable, specific, and attached to a timeline.
7. Build and find comfort in a support system. This could be your gym buddies, fellow members in your favourite group exercise class, a friend or family member, anyone!
8. Be honest with yourself... about everything: the triumphs, but also the challenges.
9. If you're struggling, consider working with a professional. Whether a PT, a diet coach, or another health and wellness professional... these experts can give you guidance on how realistic your goal is. They can also help you set mini-goals/timelines along the way, so you can check in and confirm you are on the right track.

If you're looking for a trained professional to help you set fitness, diet, or weight loss goals, check out our Personal Training board in the cardio room of our Ashton club! We've got 6 fully trained in-house PTs ready to take on new clients!