The article presents the author's methodology for the formation and development of students' motivation for independent physical education and sports. The purpose of the study was to design of a methods of formation and development of motivation for students' independent classes, which is aimed at preparing for independent physical education and sports activities in order to realize the tasks of physical education in higher school. The methods of formation and development of students' motivation for independent physical education and sports activities should be based on two main components: psychological and pedagogical with a change in the approach to building the motor activity of students and to managing the process of their physical education with a reorientation of the physical education system at the higher education institution from traditional physical education to sports-oriented activities. The effectiveness of introducing the developed methodology into the educational process of physical education is confirmed by the positive influence of sports loads on the motivation of sports activity in the student environment of a higher educational institution, as well as by the positive dynamics of motivation, theoretical and methodological preparation, indicators of physical condition and psychophysiological indicators of the development of the student body.