Let’s be honest—sometimes the idea of going to the gym feels about as appealing as a dentist appointment. You’re snuggled in your favorite chair, the one that practically hugs you back, and the thought of trading that comfort for sweat and dumbbells seems downright criminal. I get it; I’ve been there. But then Marcia Swanepoel enters the scene, and suddenly I’m laughing my way to a workout I didn’t even know I wanted. As a personal trainer at Virgin Active The Sanctuary, Marcia has a special knack for turning “I’ll go tomorrow” into “Let’s do this now!”—and she does it with a grin that’s impossible to resist.
Take the moment captured in the photo above. There I was, glued to my chair, probably dreaming of a second cup of coffee, when Marcia swooped in like a fitness superhero. With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she grabbed my hands and started pulling me up, saying, “Your chair isn’t going to miss you as much as your abs will thank me!” I couldn’t help but laugh as I stumbled to my feet, already halfway to the gym before I could protest. That’s Marcia’s magic—she makes fitness fun, even for a couch potato like me.
So, how does she do it? And more importantly, how can you find your own motivation to hit the gym, even when your cozy chair is calling your name? Let’s break down Marcia’s playful approach into some practical tips that’ll have you giggling your way to a workout in no time.
Turn Your “Why” into a Laugh
The wall behind us in that photo says “REMEMBER YOUR WHY” in big, bold letters, and Marcia swears by this concept. But here’s her twist: she makes finding your “why” a game. During one of our first sessions, she asked me why I wanted to get fit. I mumbled something about “looking better,” but she wasn’t having it. “Let’s make it fun!” she said. “How about you want to be the guy who can chase his dog at the park without gasping like a fish out of water?” We both cracked up, but suddenly my goal felt real—and hilarious. Find a “why” that makes you smile, whether it’s fitting into those jeans or outrunning your neighbor’s hyperactive pup.
Buddy Up for Giggles
Marcia’s sessions are never a solo slog. She’s all about creating a vibe that feels more like a playdate than a workout. Sometimes she’ll pair me with another client, and we’ll end up laughing so hard at our clumsy attempts to plank that we forget we’re exercising. Other times, she’ll bring in silly challenges—like seeing who can hold a squat the longest while telling a terrible joke. (Spoiler: my jokes are the worst, but I win at squatting.) Having a gym buddy, or a trainer like Marcia who feels like one, turns the gym into a place of joy rather than dread. Find a friend who can make you laugh through the sweat, and you’ll be hooked.
Make It a Game, Not a Chore
Marcia has a way of turning workouts into games that keep me engaged. One day, she set up a “treasure hunt” at the gym—each station had a little note with a funny reward, like “Do 10 lunges, and you earn the title of ‘Lunge King’!” I was so busy laughing at her goofy titles that I didn’t even notice I’d done a full-body workout. Another time, she challenged me to a “squat-off” with her, complete with dramatic commentary like we were in a sports movie. By the end, my legs were jelly, but I was grinning ear to ear. Turn your workouts into mini-games—maybe time yourself to see how fast you can do a circuit, or reward yourself with a silly dance after each set.
Celebrate the Smallest Wins
Marcia is the queen of celebration. The first time I managed to do a proper push-up (after weeks of wobbling), she threw her hands in the air and shouted, “We’ve got a champion in the house!” I felt like I’d just won an Olympic medal, not done a single push-up. She makes every milestone, no matter how small, a reason to cheer. Did you show up to the gym even though it was raining? That’s a win. Did you lift a slightly heavier weight? You’re basically a superhero. Celebrating these moments keeps the momentum going and makes you feel like a rockstar, even on tough days.
Schedule Fun, Not Fear
One of Marcia’s best tricks is making the gym a part of my routine without it feeling like a chore. She’ll text me the day before a session with something silly like, “Tomorrow we’re having a ‘no excuses’ party at the gym—your chair isn’t invited!” It’s hard to say no when I’m already chuckling. She also helps me pick times that work with my energy—like late mornings when I’m not half-asleep. Scheduling your workouts at a time when you’re most likely to feel good, and adding a playful twist to the plan, makes it something to look forward to rather than dread.
Focus on the Fun Stuff
Marcia always asks, “What do you actually enjoy?” For me, it’s music—so she lets me pick the playlist, and we’ve had some epic sessions rocking out to ‘80s hits while lifting weights. For others, it might be trying a new class like Zumba or focusing on exercises that feel good, like stretching. When you focus on what you enjoy, the gym stops feeling like a punishment. Find the parts of fitness that make you happy, and let those be your gateway to a consistent routine.
Laugh Off the Setbacks
Some days, I’m just not feeling it, and Marcia gets that. Instead of pushing too hard, she’ll pivot with humor. Once, I showed up exhausted and whined about not wanting to lift weights. She handed me a tiny 1-kilogram dumbbell and said, “Fine, let’s start with baby weights for my baby client!” We both burst out laughing, and before I knew it, I was lifting heavier weights just to prove her wrong. Her ability to laugh off my grumpiness makes setbacks feel light, not heavy. When you stumble, don’t beat yourself up—find the humor in it and keep going.
Marcia’s approach has taught me that motivation doesn’t have to be serious or intimidating. It can be as simple as a good laugh, a silly challenge, or a trainer who knows how to drag you out of your chair with a smile. If you’re struggling to get to the gym, take a page from her book: make it fun, find your “why,” and surround yourself with people who lift your spirits as much as your weights. Ready to trade your chair for a workout that’ll leave you grinning? Book a session with a trainer who can make fitness as fun as Marcia does—I promise you won’t look back!
