While you might be a fitness fanatic, regularly going to the gym, embarking on long runs and cooking up a range of healthy meals in the kitchen, your family and friends may be less enthusiastic when it comes to keeping fit.

Of course, it’s important for everyone to stay in shape through regular exercise and healthy eating. Therefore, you should try and help those around you by motivating them to get up and work out.

There are a number of ways that you can do this. Why not try some of the following?

Partner up

The thought of joining a gym or exercising for the first time can be quite daunting, especially if you go at it alone. This can often put people off and instead, push them into their comfort zones by not exercising at all.

Be a good friend and offer to be your buddy’s workout partner. Exercising alongside someone more experienced, such as yourself, will put your friend at ease, helping to calm their nerves. The fact that they know you is also an advantage, as you’ll be able to chat and joke along the way, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Shopping trip

Before you can begin exercising, you must purchase a set of workout clothes, so what better excuse for a shopping trip?

Workout clothes should be lightweight, comfortable and breathable, otherwise exercising will be a struggle — subsequently affecting performance.

Shopping for gym clothes will gently prepare your friend for exercise and allow them to take the first step. After all, feeling good in some new clothes will help to boost confidence and keep motivation levels high.

Set a goal

Having something to work towards is another big motivator. If your friend has a holiday or wedding party coming up, then it’s time to get in shape.

Tell your friend that they need to be realistic in their target, though. Their initial goal needs to be achievable, otherwise they will be setting themselves up for a fall. This can place a detrimental effect on their levels of self-esteem, making them feel as though they have failed themselves, which can deter them from carrying on.

Reassure them that their fitness levels will increase over time, so they can set bigger goals further down the line.

Share tips

Since you will have more fitness experience than your friend, share any tips and tricks you have picked up along the way. While they’ll soon get to grips with exercising without assistance, it’s reassuring to hear some advice from a close friend.

This will help them to avoid making any mistakes you may have done when you first started exercising.

What’s more, your friend may even be able to share some tips with you once they become fitter and healthier.