Health Fitness & Exercise 37 Motivational Exercise Quotes to Get You Through (or to) Your Next Workout Need some inspiration for your exercise routine? Keep these workout quotes handy to stay motivated. By Sharon Feiereisen Sharon Feiereisen Sharon Feiereisen is a freelance lifestyle writer. Her work has been published in Time Out, Newsday, The Knot, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and Hamptons Magazine among many other print and online outlets. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 17, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Getty Images It's an unfortunate truth that often when we're most in need of a workout, we're least motivated to actually get active. Sometimes we need practical strategies to pull us out of the funk, and other times we need some words of motivation. They say just getting to your workout is half the battle—and whether you believe that or not, it's undeniable that being clear about your goals and what's actually motivating you will help ensure your success. For all the exercise-themed words of wisdom that stick with you for years, there are plenty of cheesy, cringe-worthy lines doled out on the regular—but we sorted through countless snippets to highlight a few of the most inspirational quotes to get you up and moving—plus a few funny quotes that might boost your mood enough to get you to your next workout. Why 10,000 Steps? Here's Where This Daily Fitness Goal Comes From—and Whether It's Worth Following 01 of 37 "The hardest thing about exercise is to start doing it. Once you are doing exercise regularly, the hardest thing is to stop it." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Erin Gray 02 of 37 "Success isn't always about 'greatness', it's about consistency. Consistent, hard work gains success. Greatness will come." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson 03 of 37 "All progress takes place outside the comfort zone." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Michael John Bobak 04 of 37 "My father used to say that it's never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said, 'You never know what you can accomplish until you try.'" Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Michael Jordan 05 of 37 "I love how I look. I am a full woman and I'm strong, and I'm powerful, and I'm beautiful at the same time." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Serena Williams 06 of 37 "Take care of your body. It's the one place you have to live." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Jim Rohn 07 of 37 "If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for 20 years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – John Bingham 08 of 37 "Going to the gym is great for your body, but it's also great for your mind." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Rory McIlroy 09 of 37 "An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Henry David Thoreau 10 of 37 "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Jim Ryun 11 of 37 "If you're tired of starting over—quit giving up." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Anonymous 12 of 37 "It's going to be a journey. It's not a sprint to get in shape." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Kerri Walsh Jennings 13 of 37 "Know that you can start late, look different, be uncertain, and still succeed." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Misty Copeland 14 of 37 "There is always going to be a reason why you can't do something; your job is to constantly look for the reasons why you can achieve your dreams." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Shannon Miller 15 of 37 "I think it's good to see somebody saying: I have a belly. And I have cellulite. And I still deserve love." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Amy Schumer 16 of 37 "It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wears you out; it's the pebble in your shoe." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Muhammad Ali 17 of 37 "When I feel tired, I just think about how great I will feel once I finally reach my goal." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Michael Phelps 18 of 37 "What I know for sure is this: The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal for this year is, you can get there—as long as you're willing to be honest with yourself about the preparation and work involved. There are no back doors, no free rides. There's just you, this moment, and a choice." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Oprah 19 of 37 "It's not so much that I began to run, but that I continued." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Hal Higdon 20 of 37 "Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. People can't stop you. Only you can stop you." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple – Jeffrey Gitomer How to Start Running, Whether You're Out of Practice or a Total Beginner 21 of 37 “If you don’t make time for exercise, you’ll probably have to make time for illness.” Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Robin Sharma 22 of 37 “The first time I see a jogger smiling, I'll consider it.” Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Joan Rivers 23 of 37 “The secret of getting ahead is getting started." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Mark Twain 24 of 37 “Go the extra mile. It’s never crowded." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Wayne Dye 25 of 37 “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Babe Ruth 26 of 37 "Don't waste so much time thinking about how much you weigh. There is no more mind-numbing, boring, idiotic, self-destructive diversion from the fun of living." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Meryl Streep 27 of 37 “The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow.” Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Stephen Richards 28 of 37 “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Michael Jordan 29 of 37 "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Muhammad Ali 30 of 37 “What seems impossible today will one day become your warmup.” Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Unknown 31 of 37 “I really don’t think I need buns of steel. I’d be happier with buns of cinnamon.” Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Ellen DeGeneres 32 of 37 “Do or do not. There is no try.” Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Yoda, Star Wars 33 of 37 “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Tommy Lasorda 34 of 37 “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —George Halas 35 of 37 “The most annoying are those people in exceptionally good shape at the gym. I’m like, ‘What are you doing here? You’re done.’" Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Jim Gaffigan 36 of 37 “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done." Corinne Mucha/Real Simple —Thomas Jefferson 37 of 37 “Just believe in yourself. Even if you don't, pretend that you do, and at some point, you will.” Corinne Mucha/Real SImple —Venus Williams Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit