I can imagine people having fun getting lost in the flow of playing a competitive sport. I’ve also heard some people experience a post-workout high. But does anyone actually feel pleasure in the moment while lifting weights, jogging, cycling, etc?
If so… what does it feel like? Is there anything the rest of us can do to cultivate such a mindset?
I’ve always had sporty hobbies so at least I’m somewhat in shape. Over the years I did karate, parkour, bouldering, football, volleyball, and ive been deeeep onto hema for a long time now.
I just love having an activity that is basically “playing” but very physical. Even when i feel like I’m not progressing, I’m still having a good time and get to completely exhaust myself once a week.
Rock climbing and bouldering combine the fun of a puzzle with a workout and very real goals/improvements you get to work towards. It’s also not just “I did 5 more pounds!”
For me I hate a squat rack or bench but climbing never really feels like working out.
Couldn’t agree with this more. I started climbing a month ago and I’m fully obsessed, it’s like a sport designed for people who like video games. Each route is a level that needs completing and the initial progress is so fast and rewarding that you just want to come back and beat that grade that you couldn’t get a week ago.
I have a 6c which I fall asleep thinking about right now, the crux seems so doable from the ground and then feels impossible when I’m there. I bought a hangboard to train finger strength so I can beat it faster, and that is definitely more akin to working out, but I see it more as grinding or overlevelling to beat that piece of shit boss you’ve died to 10times in a row.
Bouldering is like a phone game, each level is less than a minute long and requires a specific skill to be unlocked to beat it, over time these skills combine to allow you to beat a harder problem without you even realising you’ve levelled up. Top rope is like a console/pc game where levels take longer to complete and rely on managing resources and your strats.
It also helps a ton that I feel 5x healthier already and am stronger than I’ve been in my life. Climbing is seriously awesome.
I definitely do. My dumb-dumb brain doesn’t really get the whole neurotransmitter thing, but as stingy as it is with dopamine and nor-adrenaline, as generous it is with endorphins. Oh, you’re 5 minutes into your cardio warm-up of your hour long work-out? Enjoy this heap of endorphins for the next 2 hours. I feel good, it’s extremely meditative because thoughts are just on pause, I love getting stronger and more in shape, and I always go in the sauna at the end of my work-out which is a huge motivator before going and makes it all even better at the end. I always walk out of the gym completely zen and satisfied.
If you don’t get such an easy endorphin rush, I don’t know what to do. I can imagine it would suck in that case.
Those count 😊 , but I guess I was mostly talking about indoor workouts like cycling, jogging on a treadmill, lifting weights. Something that you do purely for fitness sake.
When you pump large amounts of iron in rapid succession at the gym, it makes you feel unstoppable, like you could take on the world. It’s an absolutely wonderful feeling to have, and I think it can be chalked up to the testosterone boost. The way to cultivate this mindset is
Simply work out. The body releases the “unstoppable” chemical when you do Chad shit.
Have more faith in your own capabilities. This will naturally happen if you surround yourself with positive reinforcement and if you do step 1.
It’s not fun, I do it cause it gives me euphoric feelings similar to opiates and it makes my brain shut up for a few hours. Plus I sleep like a champ after a good workout
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.
Yeah for sure. Somedays no, but once you make it part of your routine it gets alot easier to enjoy. I usually listen to podcasts or music to keep my mind more active though and that helps alot, because then you are not thinking solely of the physical exertion on my body.
I do. I do it every day, at a public gym/pool. It was originally a way to maintain or regain “ability” (don’t call it “fitness”, I’m still old and fat). After a while, you start feeling better, and some time after that, start noticing things are getting worse if you don’t do it.
For me, doing something fun, out of the house with others, helps a lot. Spin class, circuit training, water aerobics, having others around doing the same thing is motivating. I worked with a trainer for a while, they helped come up with things I like, for example, one of my favorites is tossing a medicine ball. Don’t ask me why, but I like that.
Wow, this thread has been really eye opening. As someone who completely hates exercise (I honestly can’t imagine many other things that are more unpleasant), it had never really occurred to me that people exercised because they genuinely enjoyed it. I always just assumed that everyone else hated it and just forced themselves into it.
no matter how fundamentally and universally hated you think something is, there’s always some individuals, communities and/or cultures who enjoy said thing.
the same opposition goes for things you assume everyone loves.
it’s amazing how incredibly complex and diverse humans are.
Nah, it’s definitely a delayed gratification in my case. I don’t dislike working out per se, I just like doing other things more. Hence why I do a couple of physically demanding sports.
I used to, but I fell out of the habit. Mostly with strength training, kinda hated cardio haha. The only way I liked cardio was to hop on an elliptical and tune out to a show while I “ran”.
Yes, of course. But if you don’t enjoy it, you don’t have to do it, or don’t have to do it at the level you’re attempting. There are 1000 ways to be fit and healthy, you don’t have to pick 2 and do them forever. Experiment.
Gyms are weird. However, trail running in my favorite park til I feel like I might go into cardiac arrest is great! Plenty of distracting wildlife, no cars. Pushing past that feeling of “I’m gonna die” as I pass the muscular heavy lifters.
What can you do to cultivate this? Uhh…hate yourself and love the outdoors? But in a “guess I’ll floss cause it hurts” kinda self loathing. Also gotta find a park you wouldn’t mind dying in.
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