I enjoy working out. I look at it as “me time”, listening to a podcast, doing sets. Also the community at my local gym is great - nice people.
Yes, I love it. I feel that enjoying it comes with a few factors: knowing what you're doing is correct and maximizing each workout, and a shift in mindset that the "dread" of it doesn't actually have to be dread, which takes time to shift your head into as you get familiar. Of course, there are days where I'd rather not go, but showing up for the ritual is what matters, at that point. To get the post-workout high, you have to push yourself adequately to feel it. It doesn't have to be equal intensity of it afterward every single time, but it's a good sign that you've worked out really well.
I did a few of those things, jogging, cycling, lifting weights. I rotated between them because I actually didn’t like any of it in the long term. I did some if these indoors (fitness center) and outdoors, in small fitness centers and large ones. The longest streak was about 3 years of intensive cycling outdoors.
In the end I started climbing / bouldering and stuck with it. The mental component is far more engaging.
If you mean in a gym? I hate the gym and am one of the people that only likes the effects.
If you mean outdoors, like cycling or running or hiking, then oh yeah! It’s fun to lose yourself in the action: it’s meditative as the physical action is repetitive and it allows you to just take in your scenery and let your mind wander freely.
I had to drag myself out of the house for strength training once a week at first. It took a while but I actually started enjoying it to the point that I go to the gym almost every day now. I think it helps a lot that the gym is like a 2 minute walk though.
I don’t really enjoy these activities on their own, but I do enjoy some activities that I can do in conjunction. Listening to music or podcasts can be done at the same time as almost any workout. If you are working out at home, you could even watch tv or something. I enjoy being able to play a game or browse the web on my phone if I’m using a stationary bike. Basically what makes it tolerable for me is what I can do at the same time.
It becomes enjoyable when you are fit. When you are not, your body will hate you, until you are fit enough.
Fuck no
Ive made the argument for years that working out in the gym is by far the worst possible way to work it. Its just so boring and depressing and take sup your limited time.
Why would I spend an hour at the gym working out when I can play football with freinds, or go to a skate park or go mountain biking, or even just go for a run through a park? Its like trying to learn something by just doing math problems over and over again instead of working through actual problems.
Because all those things you mentioned are sporadic and rely on good weather and scheduling of others. So how often can you even do them? Most people at my age can’t just whip up a game of football when ever.
It’s just easier to go to the gym if you want any chance at a regular routine.
I do light workouts at home, and it's honestly a hassle, but I enjoy the benefits of it (especially walking just to take my mind off of things). So I kinda just suck it up lol. I'm still working towards making it a habit (if not already), so what I do is also watch videos during sessions.
I find that being active along with having a balanced diet makes me feel energized throughout the day, and also make me sleep better at night.
I also look forward to cheat days. I work hard and in return, reward myself with something good. Whenever I find myself feeling lazy, I try my best to push through with it. Feels kinda bad to skip tbh so I try to make it up the following day.
I enjoy it but different people prefer different types of exercise and sometimes try the wrong one for them then give up. Some people really do love cardio, some feel amazing when they lift weights and get stronger, some prefer a group class or sport. If you're doing something solo though I HIGHLY recommend adding in music or an audiobook or podcast, especially if you're feeling like it isn't for you. That can help if you're getting bored. Then, switch it up. If you didn't like the elliptical, try a weight lifting session. If the weights weren't your cup of tea, try a yoga class or a free yoga video if you just want to try it at home without so much expense and commitment.
Working out is about discipline, not pleasure imo. I’m sure there are some folks who really enjoy working out, but for most of the general public, it’s about sticking to a routine and seeing yourself improve, regardless of how it makes you feel
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I enjoy lifting, especially very heavy weights that are near a single weight. I also enjoy a lot of the Crossfit type of workouts that we do. It's just me against the old me mentally. I'm doing shit in my late 40s that I couldn't imagine doing when I was 20.
Most days it just has me in a good mental state where I'm enjoying life and pushing myself. There's just something to enjoy about doing things that you think you can't
For me Brazilian jiu Jitsu got me in great shape and the grind of it helped me get into hard workouts too. I don’t enjoy lifting or doing cardio but I love the after reward. Jiu jitsu definitely helped me know I could push past what I thought was a limit.
I enjoy being in a roll with a good gym schedule, seeing the progress, and the sense of having put the work in.
Otherwise it really depends on the exercise for me : I dislike those that make it hard to breathe. But leg presses, and bicep curls alfeel empowering.
I used to hate lifting. Now I look at it like a meditation, and look forward to it (mostly) every day.
for me, yes, when cycling. its a form of meditation to me and you can always back off if it gets too hard or exhausting. im working on my climbing now which is definitly challenging me but its also good for building that mental fortitude of 'head down, just peddle dont think'. its done wonders for me mentally, as well as physically
For its own sake, no. Unless I happen to be doing something I intrinsically enjoy that happens to give me exercise, I hate it every time. I need some really motivating tunes otherwise, and they wear out fast after a few listens.
It for sure takes time to reach a point of fitness where exercise feels good. Starting out totally untrained is really tough, and most people don't stick with it long enough for exercise to feel good.
It's also helpful to find something you like or think is cool in the first place. Many people fall off the workout grind because they think it's mandatory for them to suffer through steady state cardio for an hour or insert thing that you in particular don't like.
For me, powerlifting was the perfect balance of measurable, incremental progress, plus there's time between sets to get focused for the next one. I literally can't do steady state cardio without wanting to blow my brains out, but lifting weights and being strong? Yes please. With how I feel outside of the gym because of it? I'm in this shit for life.
Does swimming, yoga, biking and gardening count as exercise, or are we strictly taking about big muscle workout?
Pleasure for me comes from achievement. The time I first ran 5k in under 30 minutes, or the first time I deadlifted more than my own bodyweight. Achieving these things gives you that nice feeling. Yeah, there are people who can run faster or lift heavier, but I try and concentrate on my progress - doesn't always work but I know deep down I'm getting better at the things I choose to do.
It's dependent on how my day was and the music/podcast I'm listening to. If both are good, I can enjoy my workout with a better mindset. If not, I just remind myself that my body will thank me later on and I generally have a better attitude after working out regardless.
Usually, but there's a lot of hard days. My main motivator is that I know I will always feel great after exercise. When I've done the regular gym sessions and jogging, I feel like I have the energy to do all the things I want and my brain feels 20% smarter. I've seen that some other people seem to function without exercise just fine, I don't understand how. But I can't...
I mainly do just gym and jogging. Jogging is the easy one for me. I usually feel instantly good when I start my run and the barrier to go is low: keep running gear at hand and just go out of the door. There's hardly ever any pain or unpleasantness. I've done this so long that my body sort of runs on its own. Or that's what it feels like.
Gym is harder. I've got some random pains in my muscles from doing it. Some pain is completely normal of course but I don't really enjoy pushing my body when it hurts or if there's a fear of some real injury. But it can be very pleasurable and motivating as well. On a good day, I feel strong and lifting feels good without pain. And there's progress also.
Anyway I'm quite excited about current progress at the gym. I genuinely feel better and more energized than before.
But answers to question about how to feel good: Jogging: go regularly for 20+ years and it will feel nice almost all the time... Gym (weight lifting): i would like to know this myself, it seems there are some good days but a lot of bad days as well
It's similar to brushing your teeth. You know you have to do it and feel bad if you missed it. For the last 2 years and a half it became a habit for me, I have to go every 2 to 3 days, but no I still don't see it as a source of pleasure. Instead, I'm relieved once it's done.
I cycle for adventure and experience, it's also why I prefer gravel and offroad cycling to road. That gravel crunch in the forest, smell of the trees, sound of birds and absolutely no traffic is pure bliss. Ok sure there is some suffering during climbs, but the feeling of accomplishment when you finally get on top and the descent that follow are worth it.
I join one gravel competition a year, but I go for the event, not to actually compete. I like riding with one friend, on paths where we can ride side by side and chat, and I don't see a point in group road rides where you just stare at the butt of the rider in front of you the entire ride.
In general I experience joy the entire bike ride, it's like my therapy, a couple of hours without a phone, outside, just me and silence. I guess the fitness that comes with it is good too.
Yes. I wholly enjoy working out these days. The noise @ 6am irritates my neighbors like their smoke irritates my lungs @ 12am.
I find gyms insufferably boring.
I play an intense competitive sport which burns easily 5000 calories a week, keep a reasonable diet, and do stretches/cooldowns according to my Dr and physio. Then at home I do a pretty basic routine of squats, push-ups, sit-ups, and stretch band exercises. I don't smoke and barely drink anymore either.
I'm 38 and that keeps me in great physical condition, healthy weight, nice muscle tone; plus I'm energetic, and mostly injury free. I've also noticed I'm aging significantly better than my stagnant friends and colleagues.
Find a sport you enjoy and go all in on that.
I do classes, 1hr of body combat to go hard and then it's done. The music, instructors and feeding off the energy of the ppl around you make it enjoyable.
This is one of the reasons why working out in VR with games such as Beatsaber and Ragnarock impacted my health quite positively. Workout is no longer an inner battle trying to fight myself, but a very enjoyable hour of my day(but it’s important to move ASAP to both games’ higher difficulties!). Have been doing it for almost two years and it doesn’t get old. I’m also quite musical, so that might have a lot to do with the enjoyment.
When I lifted a lot, seeing the progress I was making in terms of increased squat, deadlift, etc was pretty motivating. Picking 350 pounds up off the ground feels pretty good too.
I really enjoy it when I have something I'm aiming for. The accomplishment of hitting a new PR (1 rep max of otherwise) gives me a major dopamine hit. It's going to be different for everyone though, I dispise cardio even though I do it for example. I usually have to trick myself to enjoy it like turning on a TV show or podcast or audiobook I'm really interested in. Recently the Pre-work out Ive been using has had a major positive impact in my mood as well. Not just because of the addition energy but I almost feel euphoric during my whole session.
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