Rafi Bar-Lev, a former combat medic and founder of the community fitness site Passionate Fitness, has stopped by today to discuss ways to help you stay motivated when you just don’t want to exercise. Before you skip over this information because you don’t think it applies to you, STOP!

It eventually happens to us all but the important part is to recognize the workout rut you’re in so that you can climb out and continue reaching for your fat loss goals.

[Climbing out of a workout rut seems pretty easy when you compare it to this type of climbing...Yikes!]

5 Ways to Stay Motivated When You’re in a Workout Rut – Guest Post by Rafi Bar-Lev

We’ve all been there when you just get tired of hitting the gym and want to stop working out. Luckily, the feeling is natural and there are ways to get around it.

Here are 5 tips to help you get motivated when you’re in a workout rut:

1. Change your routine
Nothing is harder than keeping up a monotonous routine when you know that you really don’t have to. Try spicing up your workouts by changing it up. Instead of a run, do some sprinting, or try jump roping or dumbbells instead of barbells. Whatever it is, it will help keep you motivated to get back into the gym.

2. Take a day off
The truth is, sometimes we really do get burnt out. Instead of despairing, take a few days off from working out, relax, and give your body time to recover mentally and physically.  When you start working out again you’ll feel better than ever.

3. Switch up your workout music
The same way you get tired from the same workouts all the time, sometimes listening to the same music every workout can make your workouts boring. Try looking for some new artists and tunes to help get you motivated to hit the gym.

4. Workout with a buddy
Working out with a buddy is a great way to keep motivated, because you know someone else depends on you. Besides, sometimes it can get competitive and who doesn’t like competing now and then? Check out these tips to finding more workout friends to give you a little extra push on your next exercise.

5. Take up a sport
Sometimes you just need to learn something that’s more than just lifting weights. Try picking up a sport like soccer or a martial art for physical training. Not only will it help keep you fit, but you will look at working out as a way to increase your ability at the sport, and not an end in itself. NOTE: Look out for the next post which is on a sport that will destroy any cardio you’ve done in the past! – Mike

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These are all terrific suggestions to get yourself moving in the right direction. If you’re looking for immediate suggestions on how to change your routine, check out these bodyweight exercise videos from Craig Ballantyne, author of the Turbulence Training program. My favorite? The Burning Circuit.