Wanting to take control of your health and fitness is a positive first step. If you really want to get healthy, exercise more, or make better food choices, the next step is to start setting goals that will push you forward.
This is why the SMART strategy has become so popular. SMART Fitness goals are a method of goal setting that keeps you accountable and actually works.
Here’s how to set your own SMART fitness goals this year and how to use tools like RockMyRun to make those goals a reality.
What are SMART Fitness Goals?
When we talk about the SMART strategy for fitness goals, SMART is an acronym for the five criteria of a great goal. Let’s break it down:
- Specific – Instead of making a vague goal like “Get healthier,” be more precise. You could say you want to lose weight, reduce BMI, or hit a certain running time, for example.
- Measurable – Set goals that make it easy to track your progress. Your goal might be, “Reach a goal weight of 150 pounds” or “Reduce my body fat to 15%.”
- Attainable – If you’re new to the world of fitness, matching Michael Phelps’ swimming speeds isn’t a realistic goal. Your fitness goals need to be challenging enough to push you but attainable enough that you don’t get frustrated and give up entirely.
- Relevant – If your goals are arbitrary, it’s easy to lose motivation because you don’t see the genuine benefit of continuing to work. Establish a “why” for yourself, like living a longer life for your family.
- Timely – Set a specific timeline for your goal. Instead of, “Lose 20 pounds,” your goal could be, “Lose 20 pounds in three months.” Otherwise, it’s easy to keep saying, “I’ll start tomorrow.”
SMART goals give you a sense of purpose and direction so you can stay organized and on target.
Tips for Your SMART Fitness Goals
As you set your fitness goals, you’re bound to face some obstacles. These tips can help you stay on track to crush your SMART Fitness Goals.
Make Fitness Fun
Part of making your goals attainable is making sure the work is enjoyable enough for you to keep coming back to it. Try tools and tricks to make fitness fun, like RockMyRun – a music app that optimizes your favorite music to work with your exercise routine by adapting to your body in real time to keep you motivated.
Know Your Priorities
Fitness takes time and energy. Be honest with yourself about how much of those resources you’re able to dedicate to your health goals. For instance, if your time priorities are your family’s needs and a demanding job, set a slower timetable for your fitness goals so it’s realistic.
Allow for Trial and Error
Different workout strategies work for different people. You may also need to change your plan part of the way through your fitness journey if you hit a plateau, your schedule changes, or if you need to change your pace or distance.
Whatever the case may be, set a plan but be flexible enough to adjust it when necessary.
Keep Yourself Accountable
We all have bad memories, and we have conveniently bad memories when it comes to doing something that may be challenging. Keep yourself accountable by writing down your SMART Goals and hanging them up in a place you can see every day. This should motivate you as well as holding yourself accountable! Get excited about the process and achieving your goals. You should look at your goals and think “Wow, I can’t wait to be at that level!” and then get there one day at a time.
We also love accountability buddies, set SMART goals with your partner, colleagues, or group of friends, and check in often to see how everyone is doing. You can even make it a competition!
Start Now
Once you set SMART goals, start working on them right away. Avoid losing momentum so you can keep making gains.
Setting SMART Goals and Making Them Happen
Improving your health is hard, but it all starts with the right goals. Learning the tricks of SMART fitness goals and trying tools like RockMyRun will help you truly make the most of the year ahead.
Take RockMyRun for a test drive and give your workout a fun boost!