If you’re sitting on your couch right now dreading the workout you told yourself you’d do yesterday or last week, then you should continue reading because I have some good news for you.

If your home workouts feel like homework, you’re likely doing it wrong.

At a time like this when the importance of physical activity is at an all time high, it makes sense that working out has become a chore rather than an activity used to alleviate stress, an escape, or simply a hobby. The difference between working out because you want to and working out because you’re being told to. It’s just a mindset shift, though a major one at that.

And before I continue, I’d like to clarify that this article is about working out, not training. Those who train have likely continued training for various reasons I won’t get into in this article. I will say though that those who train workout but those who workout don’t necessarily train.

Anyways, here are three ways you can make your workout feel less like homework:

1) Research.

Before I get into it, first, a rant: Right now, most people who are working out are finding their workouts via instagram explore, youtube, or by trying to recreate the workouts they were doing prior to quarantine at home with water jugs and broomsticks. If any of that describes you, stop. Please, stop. Use social media or old workouts for inspiration, don’t copy it.

Why? Well… for one, it promotes unrealistic expectations. Of course there are exceptions but when most people see a fitness influencer’s ab circuit or bodyweight plyometric workout they subconsciously or consciously assume that if they do that workout they’re gonna look like that person. I mean it makes sense, we usually follow people we admire and in some sense want to be like or look like. Whomever you’re following or watching should simply inspire you to move not to copy their workout split or training protocol verbatim.

This leads into the second reason why you shouldn’t copy these workouts: they weren’t made for you. I know, I already hear some of you saying “well, the person I follow actually does cater their workouts to their follower base and to average people like me.”

I’m sorry but the person you follow is either posting their workouts, a “generic” workout (a workout that usually consists of pushups, bodyweight squats, and sit ups), or if you’re lucky and educational video. And I’m not dogging on this person, I’m simply trying to point out that there’s virtually no reason why you should be copying the exact workout regimen of someone online.

So, what should you do? Research. Take the time to educate yourself on how to program a workout. With the accessibility to free workouts and HIIT circuits online, I know the job of a coach or trainer seems cut and dry, like we just throw together a bunch of exercises that look cool and make you sweat, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. And the people who do do that, shouldn’t dare call themselves trainer or coaches, those are simply people who workout.

Research muscular imbalances, the importance of stability, and how changes reps and sets changes the neuromuscular response. And if you don’t feel like doing that, then hire or reach out to a coach.

Now, you’re probably saying “well, that’s homework.” Yes, a bit counterintuitive, but usually when you have a stake in the game you’re more likely to follow through. You’re more likely to workout if you know you’re doing 2 sets of 15 glute bridges because you know they will strengthen your glutes thus alleviating your lower back pain versus if you do glute bridges just because x person on instagram said to do so.

2) Include circuits (or some variation vertical loading).

Although often overused and misused, at a time like this circuits come in clutch. They’re exciting and easy to progress with bodyweight alone.

Rather than using the traditional horizontal loading system that most of us use when at the gym, organizing your exercises into a circuit will not only minimize rest periods, making your overall workout more challenging, but they will also force you to bust a sweat which in itself can be motivating. Just because sweating isn’t a determining factor when it comes to how challenging a workout is, doesn’t mean won’t psychologically make you feel like you worked harder. And that’s the name of the game right now, getting your feelings and your mind in the right spot so you can execute. Because, at the end of the day, getting it done and getting it done well is what’s important. You won’t get it done if it feels like homework, and you won’t get it done well if you feel like it’s not working.

So, circuit, sweat, get it done well. Let’s go!

3) Do it first thing in the morning.

I know this might sound, or feel, counterintuitive but hear me out. When you get it out the way in the morning, not only do you give yourself less time to talk yourself out of it, but you also develop the habit of simply working out in the morning. Just like brushing your teeth, it won’t feel like homework, it’ll become something you do for yourself without question or consideration.

These three tips in conjunction should put you right on track with where you need to be. Incorporating one or more of these might feel uncomfortable at first, but I urge you to get it time. Comment below to let me know how it goes for you!