You've heard it before, the Directorate of Health recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Exercising is good for both physical and mental health, it gets your blood pumping, and you experience a sense of accomplishment. We know it's healthy, good, and important, but still, it's so difficult to get started.

There is often a lack of time or motivation, or both, and excuses for not exercising are easy to find. How do you get started with exercise, how do you turn physical activity into a habit? Here are some tips for those who want to get started with exercise and become more active. We are all different, and for some, it's easy to motivate themselves to exercise, while for others, it's almost impossible.

I have included tips based on my own experiences, but also tips that others have found helpful even if I haven't. So, try things out and find what works for you to stay motivated to exercise and make it a habit.

Find an activity you enjoy

Perhaps the most important tip I can give you to get started, but especially to continue exercising. Do you think you'll never find a form of exercise that you'll enjoy? Don't give up just yet, try something new. There are so many types of exercise available. Still not convinced? How about making something boring and tedious a little more enjoyable? Listen to your favorite podcast or a good audiobook while jogging. Find what makes exercise less boring for you.

Schedule workouts with a friend

If you make a workout arrangement with a friend, the threshold for skipping a workout becomes higher because you'd have to break an agreement that involves someone else, not just yourself. Exercising together with a friend doesn't necessarily mean you have to do exactly the same thing all the time. Train at your own pace, but you can take breaks together or do the first part of the session alone and the last part together. Either way, there is motivation and security in exercising together.

Attend group classes

Personally, I really enjoy group classes. They give me extra motivation, I can push myself a little harder, and I learn a lot of new things. Additionally, I appreciate having a fixed schedule to adhere to for my workouts. There are many different group classes you can join, so there's a good chance to try something new and find a class with an activity you enjoy. And at SiO Athletica, group classes are included in the price.

Join a sports club or organization

There are many student organizations that engage in various sports. Browse through the list of SiO associations, and there's a good chance you'll find something you find enjoyable. Again, just like making workout arrangements with a friend or attending group classes, this is something agreed upon and concrete that makes it more difficult to skip training on days when motivation is lacking. Additionally, it's social and a good break from your study routine.

Exercise at home

The previous four tips are all based on exercising with others and having a specific commitment to attend. But maybe this sounds stressful and unappealing to you? Do you not like exercising with others? Do you prefer to exercise whenever it suits you? Don't worry! You don't need much to have a good workout at home. If you have some floor space, you basically have everything you need. There are incredibly many good resources available online. SiO Athletica also has workout videos on their website. Here, you'll find sessions of varying lengths and forms of exercise, all tailored so you can do them at home without any extra equipment.

Set goals for yourself

Create some goals for how often you want to exercise, what you want to do, and what you want to achieve. This is a source of good motivation as long as the goals are realistic. If you set goals that are too high, they can work against you as a lack of sense of accomplishment can quickly make you give up. Personally, I tend to have a minimum requirement that I aim to achieve during my workouts. If I feel a lack of motivation or my energy levels are not at their best, I still strive to meet this minimum and feel satisfied with it. If I'm motivated and the workout is going well, I aim to do a little better than the previous time I trained.

Most importantly, be proud of yourself

You made it to the workout - fantastic. Congratulate yourself and embrace the sense of accomplishment. You can even reward yourself a little, buy something nice on your way home, or do something you enjoy. This helps you develop a positive relationship with exercising, which is important for sustaining the commitment.