How to Keep Your Training Motivation During Winter
As the Aussie winter creeps in, the mornings get colder, the sun rises later, and the temptation to hit snooze grows stronger. If you're finding it harder to stay consistent with your training during the colder months, you're not alone. Motivation naturally ebbs and flows throughout the year, and winter can be one of the trickiest seasons to stay on track. But that doesn’t mean you have to lose momentum.
The good news? With a few simple strategies, you can keep your motivation high and make winter your most consistent training season yet. Here are our top five tips for staying motivated when the chill sets in.
Commit to a Routine — and Stick to It
When it’s cold outside, your brain will start negotiating with your body the moment your alarm goes off: “You can just train later…” or “You’ll go twice tomorrow…”
The best way to silence that voice? Build a routine that removes the decision-making. Book your classes in advance, prep your gym gear the night before, and go to bed knowing you’ve made a commitment to show up — just like you would for work or a meeting with a friend.
Hot tip: Put your alarm across the room, next to your hoodie and socks. That way, you're already moving and layering up before your excuses kick in.
Train With Your People
There’s something about shared suffering that makes it more bearable — even fun. Training in a group or with a regular crew gives you both accountability and encouragement.
In winter, when your solo motivation might be low, your community can carry you. At Ultra, we’re lucky to have an incredible group of people who lift each other up (and occasionally drag each other out of bed). Find your people, commit together, and show up for one another.
Bonus: A cheeky post-WOD coffee or brekkie with your training buddies is a powerful motivator, too.
Set a Short-Term Goal
Winter can feel long and a bit directionless — especially if you don’t have a comp or event on the horizon. But setting a short-term goal, like a strength PB, a bodyweight movement milestone, or just hitting 3 sessions a week, can give you something concrete to focus on.
Having a goal gives purpose to your sessions, and even better — ticking off progress feels like a little hit of summer sunshine in the dead of July.
Need help setting a goal? Chat to one of the Ultra coaches — we’re here to help!
Dress the Part
Sounds simple, but the right gear makes a big difference. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but a few key winter training staples can turn a miserable morning into a manageable one.
Think:
If you’re not dressed for the season, you’re less likely to show up. A little comfort goes a long way.
Remember Your 'Why'
When motivation dips, discipline and purpose step in. Take five minutes this week to reflect on why you started training in the first place. Was it to feel stronger? Improve your mental health? Set an example for your kids? Prove something to yourself?
Write it down. Stick it on the fridge. Remind yourself when it’s 5:45am and the doona is whispering sweet nothings. Your future self will thank you.
Winter might bring darker mornings and chillier starts, but it also brings an opportunity to build resilience, consistency, and routine. Show up now, and you’ll roll into spring feeling proud of the habits you maintained — not scrambling to regain lost fitness.
At Ultra, we’re here to help you keep the fire burning, no matter the season. Let’s make this winter count.
