The 5-Minute Rule: Tricking Yourself Into Starting a Workout

We’ve all had that moment…You’re sitting there, workout gear on, playlist ready, and still thinking: “Ugh, I’ll start tomorrow.”

Here’s the trick: don’t commit to the whole workout. Commit to just five minutes.

The 5-minute rule works because starting is the hardest part. Once you begin — whether it’s squats, push-ups, or a quick jog — something magical happens.

Momentum takes over.

You tell yourself, “I’ll just do five minutes.” But five minutes often turns into 15. Then 30. Sometimes even a full workout. And even if it doesn’t? You still moved. And that’s a win.

It’s like eating one crisp from the packet. Who actually stops after one? 😏

💡 How to use the 5-minute rule:

• Pick a simple exercise (push-ups, squats, skipping, a brisk walk).

• Do it for just five minutes.

• If you want to stop after, stop. But most of the time, you won’t.

The beauty of this rule is that it removes the pressure. You don’t need to psych yourself up for an hour-long sweat session. You just need to begin.

And once you start, your body and brain often go: “Oh… this isn’t so bad. Let’s keep going.”

So next time motivation goes missing, remember: you don’t need to finish the workout — you just need to start it. Five minutes is all it takes.