What motivates you to workout?

[Popatar]

For me its the thought that somewhere out there someone is working harder than me. They are getting bigger, stronger, leaner, more dominant than I am. It helps me get through those last few reps. I tell myself each extra rep is 1 less rep someone else is not doing.

Also when I see friends whom I haven't seen in a while and get compliments its a big booster.

[spiderman]

A friend of mine was once chubby and now he is so lean with 6-pack abs. Since then I started working out and that thing always crosses my mind and motivates me.

[btatro]

I am being motivated by an upcoming 5K race. I started running a few months ago and, never having been a runner in the past, I now love it. I do not want to be embarrassed at my first race so that makes me push hard to work on both endurance and speed. I don't expect to be the best, just hopefully somewhere in the middle!

The other motivation I have in life is my kids. I am not severely overweight, but I still have a time keeping up with their high energy. I want to be able to run and play with my kids without feeling as if I am out of breath. I also want to set a good example for them to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

[brandontnguyen]

My initial intent to workout, like most people, was to build a body I could be proud of. However, I remember one day when I was feeling down about not seeing much progress, my uncle told me that the key problem with many people's fitness regimes are that they are doing it for superficial reasons. He told me that when people workout to be healthy, then the body comes along with it, but you lose the disappointment. Since then, I've subscribed to this idea and I have to say, I've achieved both goals that I've been seeking, minus the loss of motivation.

[shaun]

For me its the thought that somewhere out there someone is working harder than me. They are getting bigger, stronger, leaner, more dominant than I am. It helps me get through those last few reps. I tell myself each extra rep is 1 less rep someone else is not doing.

Also when I see friends whom I haven't seen in a while and get compliments its a big booster.

So you train to failure on every set? This is counterproductive and will lead to overtraining. I am not concerned with what other people are doing, I am only concerned about myself and beating my previous workout.

[shaun]

I don't need motivation. Weight training is part of my lifestyle, it is something I enjoy - not something I need to motivate myself to do. I have the odd day when I don't feel like squatting but I have the experience to know I will be up for it once I have warmed up.

[redearth]

My dogs. They both weigh more than me. They are great danes weighing in at around 135lb each. To be able to train them effectively and keep up with them, I have to be in good shape.

Feeling good. I can feel the difference in how I feel when I am not working out regularly. I feel more positive about life and myself when I am actively working on myself. The fact that I prefer the way I look when I am working out regularly doesn't hurt either.

[Popatar]

For me its the thought that somewhere out there someone is working harder than me. They are getting bigger, stronger, leaner, more dominant than I am. It helps me get through those last few reps. I tell myself each extra rep is 1 less rep someone else is not doing.

Also when I see friends whom I haven't seen in a while and get compliments its a big booster.

So you train to failure on every set? This is counterproductive and will lead to overtraining. I am not concerned with what other people are doing, I am only concerned about myself and beating my previous workout.

No thats not my point. Im on a strength program, the highest reps I do are 5. Also overtraining it flawed, the body will adapt to the work load (I will make a thread later).

[nene5]

I want to be more in shape. I am low on energy. I also want to lose weight. I know that this will increase my hdl cholesterol. I can only do that with exercise. I have kids and know that being the best mom I can be means being the healthiest.

[Popatar]

Zyzz was a cool dude. I remember when he used to post in the teen misc everyday.

He was on steroids but he still accomplished a lot which is inspiring. Its a shame he had to die so young. ChestBrah (his older brother) has a similar body transformation, from skinny to big.