Workout Mindset: 3 Easy Steps On How To Train Your Mind To Exercise [At Home]

Workout mindset or physical exercise mindset is without a doubt the most important aspect of getting in shape and caring for your health and physical appearance properly.

Unfortunately, not many coaches and trainers have a decent knowledge of this subject. This is also a common reason why the importance of the physical exercise mindset often gets overlooked.

After studying and practicing the human mind, psychology, healthy lifestyle, and bodyweight training for years, I can assure you that a workout mindset is definitely the number 1 thing that you should be getting in order. And this article will help you get started.

Workout Mindset vs. Mindset In General

Before we move on and dig deeper into the workout mindset in particular, you need to know that mindset, in general, is the one thing that should be the starting point for all aspects of your life.

With a proper mindset, you create a proper foundation to move on and tackle your goals, face obstacles, avoid procrastination, make smart decisions, update your habits, and much more.

I know that some of you might be rolling your eyes right now, but let me assure you that your mind (conscious and subconscious) will determine your success in all areas of life. And your fitness is no exception.

The better your mindset, the smoother the ride, and the faster and better the result. Moreover, only with a proper mindset are we able to actually enjoy the result to the fullest.

With that out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the physical exercise mindset and how to train your mind to exercise (at home). We’ll break it down into simple steps.

Workout Mindset - How To Train Your Mind To Exercise - Step-by-step

Why Is A Proper Workout Mindset Essential

Despite the insane and highly futuristic technology that is already available to us (in 2021), we are still not able to fully grasp all the details of the human brain, let alone the human mind.

The two are both extremely complex and combined they form the most powerful ‘computer’ in the world.

Now, it is your mindset that will determine whether you will use this amazing thing between your ears to work for you or against you.

It is your mindset that will determine whether you’ll be able to see the benefits of exercising on regular basis, commit to it, and persevere.

“I never lose, I either win or learn.”

– Nelson Mandela

It is your physical exercise mindset that will determine whether or not you’ll be able to enjoy the transformation or will you make a struggle out of it.

Will you overcome the obstacle or give up at the first sign of resistance? Your persistence, your discipline, your willpower, your perception … they are all part of your mindset.

I could go on and on about the details of mindset, higher faculties of the mind, and other details, but that exceeds the purpose of this article by miles.

As such, let’s focus on the basics and the most important aspect of the workout mindset.

So where to start? How to set yourself for success with your home workout and commit to transforming your physical appearance and overall health?

“Believe you can … and you are halfway there!”

– Theodore Roosevelt

Workout Mindset: The 3 Steps

There are many different ways on how to train your mind to exercise and get that physical exercise mindset that will get you the results you yearn for.

However, I’ve been using the steps below with my high-profile clients and they’ve proven to work extremely well, which gives me the confidence to share them with you.

“Your only limit is you.”

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Step #1: Empower Yourself

It all starts by empowering yourself. So, in case you don’t know that ‘secret’ yet, let me tell you that you are the master of your faith because you can (learn) to control your thoughts.

So, from this point on, I’d like you to stop blaming your environment, your situation, your habits, your financial situation, your lack of time, your lack of energy, or whatever excuses you tell yourself. I am empowering you to empower yourself.

From this day forth commit to taking your health and your physical appearance into your own hands. Know and believe that you can and will achieve the results you want for your fitness.

Use Affirmations To Establish Proper Workout Mindset

I know that this might be easier said than done, so make sure to use empowering affirmations.

“I am in full control of my physical appearance and am doing all that needs to be done to be healthy,” is a good general example, which you may start with. However, affirmations work best if you come up with your own (personalized) empowering statement that you use regularly.

Say it in your mind or (even better) out loud in front of a mirror, and own it. Do this as often as you possibly can. Let it permeate your mind.

How To Train Your Mind To Exercise - Know that it is Possible to achieve your goals

Pro Tip: Use self-hypnosis audio recording while you sleep and when in transit and to speed up your progress. This is a scientifically proven method that helps you reprogram your subconscious mind fast. More extremely useful information regarding this option is available towards the end of the article.

Step #2: Find Your WHY

Your ‘WHY’ when talking about workout mindset is your reason behind wanting a lean, muscular, sexy, healthy, functional body.

The stronger your why, the easier it will be for you to stay on the right track and progress towards your goals in the proper timeframe.

To give you some ideas of what kind of WHY’s are common, let’s take a look at my personal WHY’s.

I should tell you that my WHY has changed a lot over the years. It went from having a six-pack to get popular girls (mainly the love of my life, who is my wife now, BTW (just saying)), to be able to perform sports as well as possible, to have a healthy and extremely functional body that will support me for years to come being able to live my life to the fullest for as long as possible.

I hope that this shows you that there are no wrong WHY’s, though it helps to be something you really deeply care about.

Your WHY will depend on your age, interests, goals, beliefs, and much more. Moreover, you can have more than one WHY. However, normally there is one that stands out and has the most powerful meaning. That is the one you need to focus on.

How To Train Your Mind To Exercise-Find your why and focus on it

The Seven Levels Deep Technique

In order to help you get to your true WHY, I encourage you to use The Seven Levels Deep technique, which is very simple and goes as follows:

  1. Ask yourself: ‘Why do I want a lean/sexy/functional/healthy body?’ or ‘Why do I want 6-pack abs?’ or ‘Why do I want to be fit?’
  2. The first answer that pops into your mind is typically not extremely deep, not deep enough. But it’s a good start. To do deeper, ask yourself further: ‘Why do I want [your answer to the first question]?’
  3. To go even deeper, ask yourself: ‘Why do I want [your answer to the second question]?’
  4. To go even deeper, ask yourself: ‘Why do I want [your answer to the third question]?’
  5. To go even deeper, ask yourself: ‘Why do I want [your answer to the fourth question]?’
  6. To go even deeper, ask yourself: ‘Why do I want [your answer to the fifth question]?’
  7. To go even deeper, ask yourself: ‘Why do I want [your answer to your sixth question]?’

Here are some universal WHY’s you can start with (your personal WHY will usually be more powerful):

• to feel good in my skin
• to be confident taking my clothes off / feel good in my swimming suit
• to raise my overall confidence
• to be healthy / to improve my health
• to be able to take part in various sports activities
• to impress my current/future partner
• …

After you’ve successfully determined your WHY, keep your focus on it. Make sure to remind yourself of it as often as possible.

Write it on a big piece of paper and put it on the wall. Write it in your journal. Commit to it.

Step #3: Seeing Results In Advance

Now that you know that you have the power to achieve the results you want and that you have the motivation (your WHY), the next step is seeing your results in advance.

Keep in mind that this is not a one-time task. It is a continuous action.

You need to know that your mind doesn’t know the difference between reality and imagination (images created in your mind). So, we use that fact to our advantage.

By seeing the results in advance, we ensure that our mind knows exactly what we want. Once we let our mind know what it is that we want, it helps us achieve that.

Workout Mindset-visualize your results in advance

How to use your imagination?

Do you remember how you were using your imagination when you were a kid? Do that.

Find a calm place where you will not be disturbed. Take a comfortable position (preferably seating), close your eyes, and start by seeing yourself standing in front of a mirror, having the body you want.

Go into details. See each body part exactly as you want it. Feel as if this was already achieved.

See yourself doing activities you like with your enhanced physique. See your loved ones enjoying your results as well as you do some fun and uplifting activities. Make sure to include the most positive emotions you can.

See yourself enjoying your health. See yourself fully energized and upbeat. Make the picture as clear as possible and add colors, smells, sounds, tastes, and sense of touch.

Note: Do not be hard on yourself in case you are not able to fully focus the first time around. This too, takes some getting used to. But I promise that it will be one of the best investments of your time.

How often should I do the visualization exercise?

I recommend you take at least 5 minutes once per day for the above visualization exercise to achieve the fastest result and to stay as motivated as possible. Though, even a minute is better than nothing.

The best time for visualization is in the morning, the second-best time is right before you go to bed, and the third-best option is after lunch.

Workout Mindset Progress & Extra Tips

The above three steps are super easy and also a lot of fun if you’re able to see them as a game. They are the foundation you need to get going.

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”

– Thomas Jefferson

The Advancing Person …

The best thing about the above three steps is that once you apply them, you will see the shift in your behavior rather fast.

Moreover, you’ll then be able to apply the same three steps to any other area of your life and thus upscale how you show up for yourself, your loved ones, and other people in your life.

In short, you will become an advancing person, much more aware of your present situation, more focused, disciplined, and overall a better version of yourself.

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to have changed often.”

– Winston Churchill

Attitude, Attitude, Attitude

It goes without saying that there is one ingredient that you absolutely do not want to forget about – a positive attitude.

Do your best to always focus on the positive side of things. This is especially important on those tough shi**y days.
If you manage to stay positive, your energy levels stay higher and you are able to feel better, stay healthier, and also more easily execute on your exercising.

The best tool that can help you stay positive is a gratitude practice. Seriously, counting your blessings is scientifically proven to be the best way to uplift your emotions.

Workout Mindset-Be Positive to avoid procrastination

You can perform gratitude practice in your mind, however, it is even better to write down at least 10 things you are grateful for in your journal. A great addition is to do the practice with someone you really care about out loud.

When performing the gratitude practice, it is important not to just list the thing you are grateful for but to take a few seconds and really feel the appreciation for each item.

Note: I know that journaling, in general, may not be appealing to some of you (heck it took me 30 years to realize how important it is) but I really encourage you to do the gratitude journaling. Whether you are a gentle soul or the toughest of the toughest, you will not regret it. You have my word.

Self-hypnosis

As mention previously, self-hypnosis works really well to set a proper workout mindset in place.

Using professional audio recording with special sounds and a particular script is one of the easiest and most effective ways to passively change your subconscious mind (this is where your habitual behavior is stored).

You simply upload the recordings on your phone and play them on your commute, when resting, or during nights (which is the best method).

Workout Mindset - Self-hypnosis in transit

There are many great and highly professional options available on the market, however, I’ve been personally using the Hypnosis Bootcamp tracks and can vouch for their quality.

Moreover, the majority of my clients have also been reporting positive results with this self-hypnosis audios, claiming that they really helped them with their workout mindset and changing their habits way more effortlessly.

I particularly recommend Confidence Booster & Weight Loss Booster.

Since these audios are relatively affordable, you might want to obtain some additional ones. Here are my additional recommendations:

Workout Mindset Takeaways:

  • Mindset is the most important aspect in all aspects of life
  • Workout mindset is where you need to start
  • Apply 3 simple steps:
    • Empower yourself – believe in your ability to achieve your goals and use empowering affirmations.
    • Find your WHY – know your deep reason why you want a healthy body that will keep you motivated.
    • See the results in advance – use your visualization to ‘trick’ your mind to work with you and not against you.
  • Manage your attitude – using gratitude practice to staying positive
  • (Workout) Mindset Shortcuts: Self-Hypnosis (my top suggestions):

Getting your mindset in order is a continuous task. You’ll be better at it every day and you will see that you are implementing beneficial habits more easily as you progress.

How To Train Your Mind To Exercise - Get Started

My recommendation for moving forward …