10 quick fitness tips if you hate exercising 

1. Kit up

There’s no need to splash out on fancy workout kit - any loose-fitting, lightweight clothes will do, along with supportive trainers, and a sports bra if applicable.

2. Start slow

If it’s been a while since you exercised, start with light exercises like walking or cycling, four times a week. Gradually build up your fitness levels before thinking about anything too intense. 

3. Power up

A warm up increases your core body temperature, which helps to make your muscles more pliable. You’ll get a fuller range of movement, have more control, perform better and be less likely to get an injury. Try dynamic stretches, such as big arm circles and marching knee lifts, for a couple of minutes. 

4. Set goals

This keeps motivation high and gives you a target. Don’t set one-long term goal - set a series of short-term ones which feel achievable. Seeing your hard work pay off is a great incentive to keep going.

5. Be consistent

Exercise isn’t all about pushing yourself to your limits every single time. As long as you commit to what you’re doing and you consistently show up, you’ll get benefits. Don’t ever think that just doing 10 minutes of something is not enough. 

6. Eat right

Don’t undo your good training with bad nutrition. As a rule of thumb, aim for 40% of your calories coming from protein, 40% from carbohydrate and 20% from fat.

7. Create accountability

Working out with a friend will make it more difficult for you to duck out of a session. Plus, you can motivate each other on those tough days.

8. Perfect your playlist

Feeling too mentally exhausted to work out? Then plug in to a power playlist. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that mentally fatigued people who ran to music performed just as well as they did when not tired.

9. Enjoy it!

Find an exercise you love doing – it will help you stick to it. Discover what works best for you – body and mind – then build up your training around it. 

10. Make it bite-sized

Start ‘exercise snacking’ – that’s short bursts of physical activity, such as squats while the kettle is boiling. Super-achievable!