‘No squatting in the texting rack’: 22 Gym Memes for Future Gym Rats Who Are Just Starting to Build the Habit

Olivia Arocena • Writer and Editor

Sep 9, 2026 9:15 AM EDT

If you want to start going to the gym but struggle to build new habits, this is the way to go

I think I cracked the code of building a habit. I never thought I'd say this, but I can't live without the gym now.

I spent years without practicing any sports and was rather comfortable with that. I think that working a remote job was the last straw for me.

I used to have a pretty active life even though I didn't go to the gym, so I didn't notice I wasn't using my muscles that much, but when I started working remotely, everything changed.

I've never been sitting for so many hours. My back started feeling weird, and I honestly became tired of not moving. I started to feel a physical need for movement. That's when I knew I had to start hitting the gym.

I did it out of pure necessity, but what built the habit for me was a very specific choice I made right at the beginning of my fitness journey. I wasn't going to fall into the trap of going from zero to 100 in one week. I wasn't going to set myself up for failure.

I believe habits are built by going little by little. If your goal is to go to the gym every day of the week, and you start doing so the first week, you will most likely drop it in two months. The key is to start at two or three days a week and build from there.

Once you hit your goal consistently for a couple of months, then you can add another day. Our body has to get accustomed to our new habit. It has to become second nature to you before you reach for more. If you do this, after a while, going to the gym will be something you'll naturally do without making a conscious effort.

It's so much easier to stick to a habit you enjoy than to something you do out of obligation.

So, if you are about to start a fitness journey, or are in the middle of yours, here are the latest, funniest gym memes for motivation!