Staying motivated to work out isn’t always easy, even for fitness editors. Snoozing your alarm, having a busy work day, finding one million excuses why you shouldn’t? Trust us, we’ve been there. We all have mornings when staying in bed feels a lot easier than hitting the squat rack. What helps us push through? Having the right motivators ready.
Many of us want to work out for the goal of building physical strength, but we sometimes forget about the first step: mental strength. That’s where the right tools come in. For some of us, it’s sneakers that make steps more enjoyable. And for others, it’s leggings that boost confidence or an alarm clock that gets us moving before we can talk ourselves out of it. From motivational affirmation cards to essential home fitness equipment, these products give us a mental edge and help us stay consistent (even on the tough days).
In the end, physical strength starts with mental strength — and finding the right mindset motivators makes showing up a little bit easier. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with all of our favorite motivational products and mindsets that power our mental strength.
Credit: Amazon
“I’d be lost in the gym without my AirPods. I love that the Pros block out surrounding noise to truly lock you in to your workout — you forget that anyone else is around you and ‘it’s just you and the weights’ (an actual lyric from one of the cringey but effective motivational songs I listen to when I weight lift). The sound quality of these earbuds is unmatched, and they never fall out of my ears when I exercise, which is a true plus. I recently dropped them on a busy road when I was walking outside, and one of the earbuds got run over by a car (no joke!), and they actually still work to this day.” —Isabella B., NASM-CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape’s associate editorial director
Credit: Amazon
“I used to use my iPhone alarm to wake up every morning — and we all know that dreadful sound. I’d wake up in a state of panic, and over time, I realized that wasn’t an ideal way to start my day. My Hatch Restore 2 Alarm Clock was truly the ultimate morning routine game changer. It wakes me up to a serene sunset and calming chimes. Starting my day more peacefully makes me want to get up and get moving right away.” —Michelle P., certified Pilates teacher, holistic health coach, and Shape editor
Credit: Bala Bangles
“My Bala bangles are the perfect prop for my at-home Pilates workouts. While I would typically opt for a weight-free workout, the 2 lb style is just enough to add an extra challenge without slowing me down. The weights look sleek and feel comfortable on both my ankles and wrists. Because they’re such a light weight, I feel motivated, rather than intimidated, to add weight training into my normal Pilates routine.” —Abby M., Shape product tester
Credit: DeerRun
“While I’ve been skeptical of walking pads in the past because I never truly believed that one could walk while working, I have to say testing this one changed my mind. Since getting this walking pad, I’ve been able to walk almost 8k steps every day without being less productive at work. I actually feel that it makes me more productive and less fidgety. While it’s sometimes hard to get motivated to go outside for a walk when you have a long to-do list, being able to walk while you work is a true game-changer and has increased my step count each day.” —Isabella B., NASM-CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape’s associate editorial director
Credit: Hoka
“As a long-distance runner and someone who suffers from shin splints, Hoka’s Skyward X Shoes have completely changed my running experience. In the past, I would have to stop frequently during my runs to stretch, but these shoes have allowed me to run farther without ever having to stop due to shin splint pain. Wearing these shoes, I know I can continue to push myself towards my higher-mileage goals.” —Gabrielle A., Shape product tester
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“I really do believe that mindset is everything, but sometimes I need an extra boost to get me in the right headspace at the beginning of my day. Every single morning, I pull one of these affirmation cards to set a positive intention for the day. It sounds silly, but it actually makes a massive difference in the trajectory of my day. When we wake up, our mind finds all the reasons why we should just stay in bed. Reading one of these cards first thing immediately switches that mindset and changes the outcome of the rest of my day.” —Michelle P., certified Pilates teacher, holistic health coach, and Shape editor
Credit: New Balance
“Because I test products for a living, I get a lot of free shoes, so I could never justify actually buying my own pair. However, I walk a lot, and I started experiencing some knee pain during walks. So, I decided to get fitted for shoes that actually work for my foot type, and that’s when this pair entered the chat. Wearing them truly feels like walking on clouds. Because they’re so comfortable and springy, they actually motivate me to walk for longer. I think I truly found my life-long walking shoes, and will likely continue to buy this shoe and whatever new models come out for the rest of my life!” —Isabella B., NASM-CPT, certified personal trainer and Shape’s associate editorial director
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“Whether you’re working out or just lounging around the house, you need to stay hydrated. I’ve tried literally every single insulated water bottle on the market, and nothing compares to this one. My water stays ice cold through back-to-back 50-minute heated Pilates classes. It’s insane! And I love that I can throw this bottle in my gym bag without worrying about it spilling out. Plus, you can sip or chug from it, which is honestly the best part.” —Michelle P., certified Pilates teacher, holistic health coach, and Shape editor
Credit: Espieve
“As someone with incredibly sensitive skin who also loves hiking and running outdoors three to five times weekly, finding a sunscreen that doesn’t lead to rashes on my skin has been a serious challenge. I love Espieve’s Sheer Mineral Sunscreen because it’s incredibly lightweight, easy to rub in, and gives my skin a nice glow, never causing any unwanted skin reactions. This means I’m more motivated to get outdoors and don’t have to worry about uncomfortable or itchy skin. Bonus: My young kids have dubbed this ‘the good sunscreen,’ which is a big deal, as I’ve been searching for years for a sunscreen that my kids will tolerate.” —Gabrielle A., Shape product tester
Credit: Aktiiv
“I’m always looking out for high-performing, plant-based products that are more eco-friendly, which is why I love Actiiv’s Proterra Leggings. They’re not only free from PFAS and BPA, but they feel exactly like their typical nylon, elastane, and Lycra legging counterparts. Plus, they effectively wick away moisture and don’t irritate my very sensitive skin, allowing me to wear them comfortably for longer workout sessions. As soon as I slip them on, I feel more motivated to get moving.” —Gabrielle A., Shape product tester
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Credit: Set Active
“These leggings actually don’t roll over when you are doing a workout, which is SO hard to find. I use these for yoga all the time, and they never bunch or sag. They are completely comfortable and flexible. I prefer workout clothes that are comfortable and allow me to perform at my best during class. I want my clothes to feel secure, and these leggings make me feel that way when working out, which increases my motivation tenfold.” —Krisha J., Shape product tester
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