There are days when I don’t feel like hitting the gym. When these days occur, I just check how much sleep I’ve had or if I’ve been eating enough. When I find myself checking the boxes in these areas, I know that what I’m feeling is a dip in my motivation for fitness.
Often, coffee is enough to get me lacing up my trainers. Going with the caffeine surge is the same feeling I get from watching the right movies for added inspiration for my perspiration.
Everyone loves a good flick. As for me, I can’t get enough of the ones that reignite my motivation for fitness. If you’re suffering from the same rut as I occasionally do, check out these top five movies that get my fitness motivation firing on all cylinders!
1. The Game Changers
The Game Changers burst onto Netflix in 2018 and has since then generated much hype and media buzz. Never has veganism been such a mainstream topic since the release of this documentary narrated by former UFC fighter, James Wilks.
The Game Changers is a documentary about how plant-based diets positively impact athletic performance. The documentary features endurance athletes like Dotsie Bausch, Scott Jurek, and Morgan Mitchell.
Don’t let the presence of the pro-cardio roster fool you though! The documentary also features the likes of USA weightlifter Kendrick Farris and strongman Patrick Baboumian.
The documentary may come off preachy; it did to me. Nonetheless, the extreme position of the documentary can be an eye-opening experience, encouraging us to take a closer look at our diets.
I’m no vegan, but I welcome any movie with an eye-opening message and an awesome soundtrack to match!
2. Rocky Balboa
What do you think of when you watch the Rocky movies from the 80s? For me, I fondly look back at the motivating training montages before his big fights. Who could forget that Siberian montage before the big Drago fight?
Rocky Balboa takes place decades after his last fight. In the 2006 film, the Italian Stallion is way past his prime and managing a restaurant he named after his wife who has passed away.
Planning a comeback, Rocky trains for the fight of his life as he faces an already-established heavyweight boxer. It’s more than another signature training montage; you’ll get a movie that’s got inspiration written all over it.
3. Million Dollar Baby
Sure, this is another boxing movie, but if I can’t get you to watch it by saying that Clint Eastwood and Hillary Swank are in it, I don’t know what else to tell you.
The movie is an inspiring and motivating up-and-coming tale of Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank). For years, she worked as a waitress. She finds respite in a boxing gym where she meets boxing veteran and gym owner, Frankie Dunn (Eastwood).
The two don’t hit it off (pun intended) at first. Later on, though, Maggie goes on to achieve a stellar boxing career under Frankie’s management.
Watching this movie always makes my day.
As an aside, the story takes place under the narration of Morgan Freeman who also plays Eddie Dupris in the movie. In addition to feeling motivated, I ended the movie wondering what it would be like if Morgan Freeman narrated my life.
4. Coach Carter
Let’s move from the boxing ring to the hardwood. Coach Carter is a true-to-life story detailing the exploits of Ken Carter and the Richmond High Basketball Team.
Played by Samuel L. Jackson, Ken Carter becomes a basketball coach of a local high school team. Richmond High School Basketball Team achieved less-than-stellar results until he stepped in as coach. His coaching brought the team to new heights. In doing so, Coach Carter molded his team into better athletes, students, and individuals.
The story uses the sport of basketball as its thematic background. More than a basketball movie, Coach Carter is a tale of struggle, principle, hard work, and discipline — everything we need in fitness.
#5. Cool Runnings
Sometimes, a lack of motivation is due to a cortisol spike. If your stress levels are on the go, and your motivation is low, look to a feel-good true story featuring Olympic athletes. Cool Runnings is an oldie-but-goodie that gets you laughing and inspired in the first few minutes.
The movie is a true story of the Jamaican Bobsled team. Filled with comedic situations and inspiring coach-to-athlete exchanges, this movie should be on your motivation watchlist.
Sit Back, Press Play, and Get Your Motivation for Fitness Back!
Hopefully, I’ve given you a list of movies to binge on when you’re just not feeling it. These top five movies are sure to have you hit the gym or track after you watch them.
Watch and feel the motivation surge through your veins!
Sources:
https://screenrant.com/best-motivating-fitness-sports-movies/
https://www.active.com/fitness/articles/11-seriously-inspiring-movies-to-help-you-get-fit/slide-6
