Excuses I’d Make To Skip The Gym That Are, Unfortunately, Not Based In Reality

In partnership with Reign Storm.

I’m the first to admit I’m not a fitness enthusiast. I’m more familiar with a jazz square than jazzercise. In middle school track meets, I signed up for shot put just to avoid running. And yes, I once tried to fake a faint during soccer practice to go home early — despite the fact that my dad was the coach.

So, I’ve been on somewhat of a fitness journey these past few years to find workouts that actually work for me. From hot yoga to weightlifting, obstacle course races to skateboarding, and even pickleball, I’ve learned A LOT about fitness. I’ve especially noticed some misconceptions about the whole “working out” thing. Whether you were the star of the basketball team, star of the school play, or somewhere in between (cough, cough Troy Bolton), here’s what I’ve learned:

Lie #1: Working out means punishing yourself at the gym.

I know this might be shocking, revolutionary even, but if you’re intimidated by a gym environment you simply don’t have to go! Instead, try a long morning walk with a Reign Storm, carrying 15 pounds of clothes around a sample sale, or sprinting away from your ex after an awkward run-in at the grocery store. There are also tons of free workouts online that you can struggle through from the safety of your own home.

Lie #2: You need to spend hundreds of dollars on designer workout gear.

Sure, expensive workout sets are cute, but TBH your ratty lacrosse sweats from high school work just fine. We get it, you want to post a cute pic in a matching set, but do you really need your high school English teacher or that random girl you met in a club bathroom to see you made it to the gym? Honestly, the less attention you attract as you’re drenched in sweat and wheezing on the elliptical is probably for the best.

Lie #3: All energy drinks taste like garbage.

Not true if we’re talking about Reign Storm, which is actually refreshingly delicious. This zero-sugar energy drink is a great way to energize your workouts, especially if you’re the type of person who has to drag yourself to the gym in the first place. (Me.) And as an added bonus, the caffeine isn’t synthetic — it actually comes from coffee plants. Drink it before you get to the gym for a buzz that will make the whole working out thing less painful.

Lie #4: Running is the best form of cardio.

I often equate working out with running, which is probably why I dread it so much. Because, in my experience, you either love to run, or absolutely hate it. The good news is running is not the end-all-be-all of cardio. There’s plenty of other ways to build cardio into your day-to-day life like wearing ankle weights when you vacuum or doing ten burpees every time a reality tv contestant accuses someone of “being here for the wrong reasons.”

Like #5: No pain, no gain.

Much like a toxic relationship, if it hurts, you’re doing it wrong. Sure, there’s always a little discomfort involved when breaking a sweat, but experiencing actual pain can be a sign of an injury or general overuse. So, if you find yourself bedridden after day three of your 75 Hard journey, then you might want to reassess your fitness goals.

Kat Pickhardt