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Miranda Kerr
Sticking to a regular workout routine is hard—even for celebrities, who, for better or for worse, kind of have to. Ugh, I’ll just go to the gym tomorrow is a phrase most of us utter on the reg. The struggle to maintain a strong and healthy body is oh so real. "The main reasons people have [trouble] sticking to a regular workout routine are time, monotony, and the often slow nature of progress," Inner Dimension TV trainer Brent Laffon explains.
With those factors in mind, how can we summon the motivation to get moving? It’s all about making small changes to your current routine. We were curious to learn what those changes look like in the lives of the fittest celebrities on Earth, so we put together this guide to staying motivated to work out, courtesy of famous fit women like Kendall Jenner, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Miranda Kerr. Keep scrolling for the best celebrity workout secrets.
Add Squats to Your Daily Routine
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Miranda Kerr previously told Byrdie that squats are her go-to workout move. "If you can just do 10 squats when you think about it, that’s a good way to remember and get exercise incorporated into your day," she says. Studies have shown that squats are effective in strengthening the muscles in the lower limb and improving the ability to counteract a medial or lateral displacement of the knee.
Joe Masiello, a fitness trainer and Byrdie Beauty & Wellness Review Board member, holds similar thoughts as Kerr on squats. "Bodyweight workouts are a quick and effective way to stay fit," he says. "[You can do] bodyweight squats holding weighted items or even single-leg bodyweight squats."
Find Workouts You Enjoy
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"I hate cardio," Kendall Jenner told Byrdie. "I’d rather just stand there and lift some weights than run in place." For the model, leaning into the workouts she enjoys has made all the difference in her wellness habits. Jenner's approach to fitness reminds us all to make fitness fun.
"You should never feel like working out is something you have to do," Laffon says. "It should always be something you want to do, even if you're tired or feeling uninspired. The best way to do this is to find a style of working out that can adapt to your needs."
Find a Workout That Make You Feel Your Best
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"I like being trained by ballerinas, so I go to someone named Mary Helen Bowers in New York, and [in L.A] I met someone named Andie Hecker about five years ago, and I’ve been training with her on and off for five years," Phoebe Tonkin previously told us. "She’s like the naughty ballerina. She’s great. So when I’m here for longer, I try to see her. [When I’m not in town], I do the Ballet Beautiful videos."
Tonkin is a prime example of when you love a workout, you'll find a way to get it done no matter what. "If you enjoy yourself during the workout, intrinsically you will be drawn to move mountains in order to make it to class," fitness instructor and Byrdie beauty and wellness review board member Christine Bullock notes.
Remember The Benefits of Working Out
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Shay Mitchell incorporates exercise into her life not only for its physical benefits but for her mental health as well. "Anything physical has such a positive impact on people; the dopamine and serotonin that get released when you work out—afterward, you feel amazing," Shay Mitchell previously told us.
Fitness experts all agree that working out offers incredible physical, mental, and emotional benefits. "Think about how working out makes you feel," fitness instructor and Byrdie beauty and wellness review board member Jennifer Polzak says. "Runners high, exercise endorphins, and better sleep are all attributed to a good workout"
Laffon seconds these sentiments. "If you can get in the habit of moving gently, mindfully, and regularly, your mind and body will thank you," he adds.
Take Your Workouts Outdoors
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Outdoor workouts are always a welcome change from breaking a sweat inside a gym or studio, and Kate Hudson agrees. "I’m a nature girl," she told Shape. "I grew up in Colorado and was always outside. I still am, even when I’m in the city. If I’m in Amsterdam, I get on a bike, ride everywhere, and really see the place. I love that freedom, which you can’t get in a car. In New York City, if I’m staying downtown and have a meeting uptown, I’ll put on my earphones, listen to great music, and just walk." Research tentatively supports the idea that exercising outdoors offers greater enjoyment.
If you're feeling unmotivated to workout, Laffon is also a huge proponent of taking your session outside. "We need nature," he says. "If at all possible, find a trail or beach to hike or run on. Maybe take your workout to a park. Or if all else fails, just go for a walk around your neighborhood while breathing deep and taking notice of whatever trees or flowers you find. They're good medicine."
Hire a Trainer
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When it comes to working out, many of us need someone to hold us accountable. And that's exactly why Rihanna works with a personal trainer. "I have a personal trainer who travels with me if we have a big event coming up," she told Harper's Bazaar. "I work out every day, but I need a trainer to motivate me."
But, the benefits of a trainer extend far beyond motivation. "A trainer will not only hold you accountable, but they can also help you create new workouts or give you a new way to improve your current workouts," Masiello explains. "Sometimes, all it takes is one or two sessions with a trainer every other month to help keep things fresh."
Switch Up Your Routine
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"I’m a vegan and I’m into Pilates and yoga," McKayla Maroney previously told us. "I do this diet called Ayurveda. It’s really important to get outside and switch it up. Two days a week I try to work with a personal trainer."
Adding variety to your workout routine will prevent it from becoming monotonous and give you something new to look forward to. "Doing the same thing day in and day out is a surefire way to kill your enthusiasm," Laffon adds. "Don't be afraid to practice yoga one day, go for a run the next, and do a HIIT class the next."
Create a Workout Playlist
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No workout is complete without the proper playlist, and Beyoncé seconds this sentiment. "I’ll put on a song that I really like and I’ll do [bicep curls with] five-pound weights for the duration of the song and just try to burn out," the singer previously told Harper's Bazaar. And there's a reason why we all love to blast tunes on gym days. Music has been scientifically proven to increase exercise performance, delay fatigue, and increase performance and endurance, power and strength.
Experts also love workout playlists because they can boost a client's morale. [Creating a new playlist] is a great way to infuse new energy into your otherwise routine training sessions," Masiello adds.
Find a Workout That Challenges You
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"I love doing Brazilian jiujitsu," Demi Lovato once shared. "It’s like a human chess game. You’re constantly thinking. There’s never a pause that you can take unless you’re in a certain position. It’s really fun."
Lovato's love for Brazilian jiujitsu highlights the importance of trying new forms of exercise. And Masiello is a firm believer that exercise experimentation (in terms of types of workouts and equipment) can help you remain committed to your fitness regimen. "Most people tend to do the same workouts over and over again," he says. "Try a different type of exercise. If you love yoga, try incorporating strength training or vice versa. Or, if you always use resistance bands for your workouts, try incorporating new modalities like dumbbells or kettlebells."
Make Your Workouts Short and Consistent
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For many of us, finding ample time to workout each week is a challenge. Cindy Crawford has found that short sweat sessions in the morning work best for her. "I wake up around 6:30, check my emails to make sure there are no fires, then head down to our home gym with a green tea," she previously told Harper's Bazaar. "I don’t want to miss having breakfast with my family, so I get my workout checked off the to-do list. I do 20 minutes of cardio, 10 on the Bellicon trampoline, and 10 running stairs."
When you're planning your schedule for the week, take inspiration from Crawford and carve out dedicated time for quick workouts. "Like any other important meeting, I recommend scheduling your workouts a week ahead of time so there are no last-minute issues because you have already scheduled life around [your workouts]," Bullock says.
If you can't schedule workouts into your day, find pockets of time to move around during or after work. "If your lunch break is one hour, use 20 minutes to walk through your office building or around the block," Polzak says. "If you're winding down at the end of your evening with some tv, take every commercial break to move around. You can do planks, pushups, or bodyweight squats."