Sometimes we all need an extra push! If you feel like you need a jump-start in your motivation for training while striving toward your fitness goals watching a powerfully moving film is a great way to get you all revved up and your own beast mode activated! There are many movies with strong motivational themes to sweep away those mental and emotional cobwebs. Here are our 5 Top Fitspiration Movies that’ll infuse you with that much needed extra oomph!
1. Rocky ‘Anthology’ (1976) Rocky needs no introduction, but his 40th anniversary year (which was 2 days back on Monday) means he gets one! The iconic Rocky movies have an unmistakably uplifting theme; it’s the ultimate story of the ‘underdog’ who against all odds comes from nothing and rises to victory. You fall down a few times, almost quit, then something miraculous happens…and Rocky taught us to never give up! The training montages and soundtrack give you an ‘adrenalizing push’ to just keep going. Dig deep into your inner ‘Rocky’!
2. Million Dollar Baby (2004) No happy ending here but this movie carries a profound and meaningful message that you can be what you dream of, if you work for it. Hilary Swank plays the role of Maggie a ‘wannabe’ professional boxer; a total novice but she’s determined to train hard with her trainer (Clint Eastwood) her guiding hand and mentor. A very powerful and emotive movie that shows all you need is the inner strength of conviction, an ‘iron-like’ will to succeed and the perseverance to translate it into physical efforts.
3. Kickboxer (1989) This martial arts classic starring Jean-Claude Van Damme; features plenty of physique shots with amazing kicks! There’s a great scene that fuses some ‘smooth’ dance moves with martial arts in one of the film’s most memorable clips and of course the infamous Van Damme side splits! The ‘jumping helicopter’ kicks executed with such power, precision and grace evoking physical instincts from within should serve to remind you of your own greatness! (The famous tree-kicking training scene is also included in the video.)
4. Dragon -The Bruce Lee Story (1993) A biographical movie about the amazing life of Bruce Lee and how he became one of the most influential people in the martial arts and combat world and beyond. The movie charts his rise to fame and how he overcame injuries and cultural challenges to teach what he most loved to the world. It’s a passionate movie full of ups and downs, tearing down barriers, prejudice and beating the odds; and of course the power of self belief and the potential of everything you are really capable of!
5. Footloose (1984) A ‘feel good’ dance movie! Ren (Kevin Bacon) moves to a quiet town where dancing is forbidden. He feels driven to ‘fight for the right’ to dance and inspires people to support him; the soundtrack is one of the most popular of its time so if dancing is your thing, you’ll find this one pretty contagious! A cool gymnastic/dance scene features mid way through the film so don’t miss it!
The prevailing message in this article and the above videos is to keep moving forward and never give up ! As the late, great Bruce Lee said, “There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them”.
