Here are 7 fitness excuses you’re probably making for not working out – and how to smash right through them!

‘You can have results or excuses, but not both’ runs the often-Instagrammed fitness adage. It’s true, of course. The problem is, most of us have no shortage of excuses for why we simply can’t prioritise our fitness right now. Be honest – you’ve probably caught yourself trotting out one or more of the following, right? We spoke to the experts for advice on how to work through them. 

I don’t have time

This is the oldest excuse in the book, because, really, who among us has any of that mythical ‘spare time’ that previous generations talked about? ‘Something that has really changed my life is replacing “I don’t have time” with “It’s not a priority”, and seeing how that feels,’ says Ashleigh Webb, a trainer at F45 Training Woodstock. ‘This helped me shift my focus dramatically. I realised that I was prioritising things that didn’t matter that much to me – like watching TV, scrolling through Instagram or sleeping in for an extra 30 minutes – over my health.’ Remember that you don’t need to find a whole extra hour in your day. ‘Even if you have only 10 minutes to get a quick workout in, it’ll make dramatic improvements in your health,’ she says. Pro time-saving tip: ‘Burpees give you the most bang for your buck!’ says Ashleigh.

I don’t have money

You don’t need a gym to exercise –all you have to do is keep moving,’ says Durban biokineticist and fitness coach Raeesa Solwa. ‘There are many resources online for home-based workouts,’ says Ashleigh. ‘You don’t need to have a gym membership or a huge budget for equipment to start your health journey. You can go for a run, find a yoga tutorial on YouTube to do in the comfort of your home, or find someone who inspires you on Instagram and follow some of their workouts.’

I’m not the exercising type

Sorry to break it to you, but if you’re a member of the human species, you are the exercising type. ‘Our bodies are designed to move and to feel good in motion,’ says Raeesa. Our brains are even hard-wired to release those feel-good hormones after a good workout. Plus, a sedentary lifestyle contributes to a number of diseases and disorders featured on the World Health Organization’s Top 10 Global Causes of Death factsheet.

It’s boring

If you have been doing the exact same circuit or class every day for a month, then yes: hello boredom, goodbye motivation! It’s time to switch it up. ‘Exercise should be fun,’ says Raeesa. ‘For an exercise plan to be effective and sustainable, it needs to be enjoyable.’ Find something that makes you feel good. ‘There are so many options for fitness. It’s not just about doing five sets of 10 bicep curls – you can play a sport, learn to surf, go for a run with friends, join a yoga or Pilates class, start CrossFit or even just go dancing,’ says Ashleigh. ‘Anything that gets your body moving is good for you, so experiment until you find something you enjoy. I couldn’t stick to a programme until I found functional fitness. Many facilities offer a trial class so it won’t even break the bank to shop around. Bring along a friend – it will keep you accountable for showing up, and you’re less likely to feel uncomfortable. and alone in the class.’

I’m too tired

We get it. At the end of a busy workday, it seems much easier to crawl home through traffic and collapse on the couch than to wiggle into your workout gear and break a sweat. ‘As someone who has suffered from chronic fatigue most of my life, I can totally understand,’ says Ashleigh. ‘But exercise actually gives me energy – and helps me to sleep better. I find that while I’m training, I’m in the moment and focused on what I’m doing, and I forget to think about how tired I am. I never regret a workout. Having said that, it’s important to know the difference between feeling tired and when the body actually needs to rest.’

I have kids

‘Work out with your kids! Get them into a jogger pram and start walking or running,’ says Raeesa. Don’t forget that your kids learn most of their habits from you, so showing them that fitness can be fun means you are setting them up for long-term health – every parent’s priority! ‘Do a parkrun with the little ones, get involved in sport with them and spend your weekends out and active as a family,’ says Ashleigh. ‘Turn your exercise into a game and use it as a double whammy – quality time with the kids and getting some movement in at the same time. Or get together a group of parents, and take turns exercising and watching the kids.’

I’m waiting for Monday or January

Good news: It IS January! And maybe it’s also Monday… There will always be another goal post or another reason to procrastinate. Rather focus on whatever small step you can take today to get your journey going. ‘The amazing thing about health and fitness is that no matter where you’re at right now, you can always start by making the next decision a better one – whether that means taking the stairs instead of the lift, or signing up for that yoga class. If you keep waiting on some future date when, maybe, motivation will pop up, chances are you’ll never start,’ says Ashleigh. ‘At the end of the day, all that fitness is is a series of healthier choices.’ So no matter the day or time of the year, get started! Future you will be grateful.

Find your why

According to Ashleigh, you can conquer any excuse with one simple act – knowing your ‘why’. ‘Why do you want to get fit? Why will it be worth the sacrifice (such as waking up early)? This needs to be something that will keep you motivated no matter what season of life you are in. My “why” is that I love feeling strong and capable. I want to give my body the best I can give it, whether that’s an easy walk, a hectic F45 session or a bowl of greens. I want to be able to still do the things I can do now when I am 10, 20, even 30 years older. This is what helps me stay on track, train when I don’t feel I have the time or energy, and prioritise my gym membership over spending money on other things. Just start!’

Words by Jade Taylor Cooke
Photography: Pexels, Unsplash