19 of Our Favorite Motivational Workout Mantras

We’ve all been in the middle of a tough fitness class, feeling on the verge of collapse—but sometimes a little focus is just what you need to push through. After all, fitness is both physical and mental. That’s when we turn to some of our favorite motivational workout mantras. The next time you’re ready to call it quits, take a deep breath and repeat one (or many) of these phrases to yourself. You got this!

What is a Workout Mantra?

A workout mantra is a short, simple phrase that you repeat to yourself frequently, often during a difficult portion of exercise where you need a motivational boost (say, when you’re running up a steep hill or trying to push through yet another Tabata effort on your bike). It might sound cheesy, but sometimes a workout mantra can be just the pep talk your brain needs to stay focused on the fitness task at hand.

How to Use Workout Mantras to Inspire Movement

Yes, repeating your mantra of choice can be game-changing in the middle of an exhausting workout, but you don’t have to save it only for exercise classes. Incorporating these phrases into your daily life can help you stay focused on your goals and ready to conquer whatever life throws at you.

Here are some tips for using workout mantras in your routine.

Our Favorite Workout Mantras from Peloton Instructors

If you’re still looking for inspiration, here are some tried-and-true suggestions from Peloton instructors.

1. “I am, I can, I will, I do.” —Christine D’Ercole

2. “Great things rarely come from sitting in comfort zones.” —Ben Alldis

3. “I can do hard things.” —Jess Sims

4. “We get uncomfortable in order to get strong.” —Emma Lovewell 

5. “If your legs are tired, run with your heart!” —Tobias Heinze

6. “I need you to be proud.” —Rad Lopez

7. “Add a little oomph to it.” —Ash Pryor

8. “This is tough, but you’re tougher!” —Olivia Amato

9. “We don’t quit. We keep going.” —Kendall Toole

10. “Quality over quantity.” —Jermaine Johnson

11. “Commit to finishing this stronger than when you started.” —Tunde Oyeneyin

12. “There’s no limit to what you can do.” —Adrian Williams

13. “Nice deep breaths in. Nice deep breaths out.” —Marcel Dinkins

14. “Put your crown back on your head and remember who you are.” —Robin Arzón

15. “We’re all about progress, not perfection.” —Selena Samuela

16. “Yes you can!” —Marcel Maurer

17. “Head up, heart open.” —Aditi Shah

18. “Fight fatigue with focus.” —Andy Speer

19. “I am worthy.” —Ross Rayburn