When you’re feeling a bit sluggish and uninspired, how do you motivate yourself again? If you’re anything like us, there’s nothing more motivating than an inspirational sports movie. There’s something so empowering about a zero to hero type film, which will make you want to hit the gym and pump some iron. There are so many inspirational movies with a sports theme, but here are just some of our favorites.

Rocky

You can’t have a list of inspirational sports movies without including Rocky – it’s sacrilege! This is the ultimate rags to riches story, which follows Rocky Balboa as he attempts to become the best boxer the world has ever known. This movie will make you want to put together your own training montage, including chasing chickens and running up stairs, finishing it all off with an epic air punch. Also, if you’re done with the first Rocky movie, there are plenty of others to keep you pumped. If you’re looking for something a bit more modern, then you can also check out Creed, which is part of the same franchise.

Coach Carter

Coach Ken Carter (played by Samuel L. Jackson) was a real hero, and this movie will give you all sorts of feels. It follows the biographical story of a basketball coach who returns to his old high school to whip the entire team into shape. However, his controversial decision of benching the entire team for not studying hard, certainly gets tongues wagging. This movie will not only make you feel inspired to workout or hone your basketball game, but it will also make you want to learn. Education and sports, whoop!

Million Dollar Baby

Many of the inspirational sports movies we tend to watch focus on a male character, so it’s quite nice to add a woman into the mix here and there. Million Dollar Baby follows Maggie Fitzgerald (played by Hilary Swank) as she attempts to convince two veteran boxing trainers to bring her up to speed. With an epic cast that includes Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman, this movie will motivate you to hit the gym and follow your dreams. As with most amazing boxing movies, this is a real zero to hero tale and will have you working out harder than ever by the end.

The Blind Side

If you want an inspirational movie that’s sure to have you reaching for the tissues, then you can’t really go wrong with The Blind Side. Quinton Aaron plays Michael Oher, a homeless teenager who is taken in by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and given a second chance at life. Due to his immense size, they soon realize that this once down and out kid could be one of the most formidable forces on the gridiron. Michael Oher is a real football player, and this biographical movie will help you realize that dreams really do come true – especially if you work hard at them.

The next time you’re lacking in motivation and want to feel some fire in your belly, perhaps all you need is an inspirational sports movie. Pick one of these (or all of them), and you’ll be wanting to become the next Rocky Balboa, Coach Carter, Maggie Fitzgerald or Michael Oher in no time.