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?
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.
I used to. Lifting weights helped me in many aspects of my life. Particularly in regards to making goals and seeing them through. It was difficult to get into but once I started seeing results (pretty quickly) the gym became my second home for years. And then my daughter got sick and I got depressed and now it’s been 5 years and god I miss it but just haven’t been able to get back
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.
Is there anything the rest of us can do to cultivate such a mindset?
For cardio it’s basically “go slow”. The main source of discomfort is the exertion.
An easy long run with good music is quite meditative and enjoyable.
When your legs hurt and you’re wheezing your lungs out, not so much.
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.
Anything where the scenery moves, yes I am enjoying it whether I’m riding, biking, hiking, inline skating, trail running, etc. I think part of what works for me is I almost never repeat the same route twice and if I feel myself getting burnt out on one activity I switch it up and do something else. Too much road biking? Go mountain biking? Too much of any kind of biking. Go trail running or inline skating, or at least go for a hike.
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 depends on the workout for me. When I’m in shape of course, if I’m not in shape then it’s hell.
Running 4-6km is very neutral, nothing special
Running 6-10km is kinda enjoyable
Running 10-15km feels really good for some reason
Then everything above 15km is hell (I only ever ran a half marathon at once)
I find running a bit like meditation, or I just let my mind wander wherever. I can’t really put to words the experience, but I would definitely describe it as enjoyable. Especially in winter, I absolutely love it when the cold bites my skin as I start running, and then when you warm up you don’t feel it anymore.
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.
There are always ways to make it work. Like for me I have regularly scheduled volleyball for a couple hours twice a week. Which because its inside I never have to worry about the weather and theres enough people that other peoples schedules arent an issue. And while volleyball can be pretty niche you can find regular open invite football anywhere even in small towns. Then I also go to the skatepark twice a week too which doesnt rely on other and the weather rarely interrupts it, and if it does I go to the one under the overpass instead. Ive been doing this for years, extremely regularly, and the fact that its actually fun and I look forward to it has made it far more regular than when I went to the gym, plus ive made loads of friends, learnt actually skills and dont have to put up with gym bros. So to me there is really no downside.
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.
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.
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