Brad Shaw
Do you struggle to set fitness goals? Chances are, you’re probably not alone. It can be one of the most challenging elements of fitness, but one expert has revealed how to set realistic fitness goals that are genuinely achievable.
Here, Mark Harris, Fitness Expert at leading home-gym supplier, Mirafit, has highlighted how to set realistic fitness goals, including using the ‘SMART’ method and tracking progress.
How to Set Realistic Fitness Goals
“Setting fitness goals can be challenging, but they’re crucial for giving workouts direction and purpose. Without clear goals, it’s easy to lose motivation as it’s difficult to see how far an individual has progressed.
Despite this, many people still struggle to set goals that actually feel achievable. So, let’s take a look at how fitness fanatics can set sensible, realistic goals:
- Use the ‘SMART’ Method
“When setting goals, I’m constantly utilising the ‘SMART’ method, ensuring my targets are sensible and timely. This consists of creating goals that are ‘Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound’.
Even outside of fitness, this method is a reusable template for goals, making them feel more actionable by breaking them down into smaller elements. I find the ‘time-bound’ factor particularly important; giving a deadline can provide a sense of urgency, helping to maintain motivation.
- Balance Tracking Progress Carefully
“While I believe tracking progress is essential, avoiding becoming obsessed with statistics is also important. Tracking can prove incredibly useful for monitoring progress, but people often take this too far, leading to disappointment and demotivation if progress slows or stops altogether.
Fitness is not always linear, so people should keep this in mind when tracking. Several great tracking apps are available, but documenting progress through photographs is also effective for targets such as losing weight.
- Goals MUST Be Flexible
“Once a goal has been set, it’s not set in stone. This means that, should life get in the way of workout routines, goals should be able to adapt to meet these changes. Whether it’s an injury or personal circumstances, structure is important, but it doesn’t dictate fitness success; consistency does.
Instead, goals should act as something to aim for, not the set standard. With this approach, goals can feel less overwhelming.
- Ensure there’s a Clear Plan
“It’s one thing to set a goal, such as losing a certain amount of weight or improving strength. However, successful goals usually also include a plan of how to get there. Instead of just ‘losing weight’ or ‘building strength’, a goal should include a clear plan for getting there, such as working out 3 times a week.
By doing this, people are actively putting steps in place, allowing them to achieve their goal and build confidence in the goal-setting process. When coming up with a goal, I always map out a plan on how I will get there.
- Celebrate the Victories – No Matter How Big or Small
“Sticking to a fitness routine is challenging, but also extremely rewarding. To maintain motivation and confidence, I believe it’s crucial to celebrate the victories along the way, whether it’s a massive milestone or not.
Any step in the right direction is progress – and should be celebrated as such – without this positive approach, people can quickly become restless with a lack of progress, leading to demotivation and abandoned fitness goals.
- Consider a Home Gym Setup
“If physically going to gym facilities is a challenge on low-motivation days, I strongly recommend considering a home-gym setup. This can make exercise so much more accessible, allowing people to strive towards their goals from the comfort of their home.
It doesn’t take much to launch a home gym setup either. In terms of vital products, I recommend kettlebells, resistance bands, and dumbbells, which are perfect for a full-body workout without compromising loads of interior space.
“Overall, while setting goals in the fitness world can prove challenging, with the right approach, extensive targets can be made more achievable. It’s important to track progress without obsessing over targets, while positive mindsets can prove effective for maintaining motivation long-term.”
Find Mirafit’s full range of workout equipment here.
