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?
Yes, I love running. I also go hiking and do body weight exercises.
To answer your question, the only way to cultivate the habit is to start something and sticking to some plan. I know it’s easy so say but it’s the only thing that works.
I do follow some runners on Instagram and YouTube for motivation.
As I get older, I enjoy it more. It’s a reminder that I’m not as old a bastard as I feel some days, and I know the benefits are real, noticeable, and literally life changing. And at that moment I’m the youngest I’ll ever be for the rest of my life, so it’s a good time to do it.
Maybe I don’t love the specific moment that my muscles are on fire but perspective keeps me happy while doing it
Apparently I’m in the minority here but I love working out. Specifically powerlifting. Cardio is ok after the fact but I don’t particularly enjoy it during, but lifting heavy is a huge stress relief and something I look forward to daily.
I respect other people’s hobbies and try not to take anything away from them. But I completely agree with you, it’s like, hey look at that really heavy rock, I think I’m gonna lift it up and put it down 100 times, yeah that sounds really fun wooooh! I just don’t get it.
I’d equate it more closely to reading a book as a leisure activity as there are noted benefits to both but neither are strictly necessary for survival.
There’s also a degree of mental conditioning to it as well. Once you start feeling and seeing the results, it reinforces the workout itself as the activity responsible for that and makes the workout itself more enjoyable as a result.
Plus I just enjoy pushing myself. Mentally and physically I enjoy a challenge and powerlifting is an easily quantifiable way to accomplish that.
Yeah im not saying exercise itself is pointless, just going to a gym and lifting is the most tedious way to exercise. To use your reading example, playing a sport like tennis or football, or riding a bike through a trail or something would be like reading a story book, whereas going to the gym would be like reading a dictionary or an encyclopedia.
If its what you enjoy, more power to you. but i really dont get it.
Hella fun and video gamey - but my god damn nimble hands keep getting torn up. I’m putting on tape on the afflicted areas, but other areas will then become a problem.
I’m thinking that I need to just continue. At some point, my skin must start learning that it has to toughen up.
Btw. Are there any good climbing communities in the fediverse?
Ya also just take care in how you handle holds, make more deliberate slower grabs for holds so you aren’t relying on contact friction so much. Eventually skin toughens up. Also sand off your callouses they become weak spots for flappers once they get too big.
As for climbing communities I haven’t looked yet but I should!
I’ve found that I’ve progressively stated making better grabs as I’ve been training - I’ll keep your advise in mind.
Atm. I’m not even starting building up callouses. I’m considering maybe taking a week’s break to rest my hands - but I’m feeling like I’ll regress if I do this.
Probably I’m going to do “chin ups” on the wall to get better upper body / arm strength. Often when I’m struggling, I seem to get the most torn up hands.
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
I’ve been going to the gym 2-4 times per week for about a year now. It’s a massive chore every single time and I don’t enjoy doing it but I do it for health benefits.
For me there is no greater endorphin rush than listening to some really good bassey music and really pushing myself on a cardio machine
Rum & bass + rowing machine really got the adrenaline going for me, was actually comparable to being high for a period of time
Lifting weights is different but feels very good to see yourself in the mirror lifting something heavier than you’ve ever done before and you get addicted to chasing that feeling
I think part of the mindset is getting yourself to embrace the physical punishment and actively seek it out, couldn’t tell you exactly how to do that but for me a lot of the time knowing it’s going to be difficult will get me more excited now
Yes, I now love taking exercise in most ways but I came to it quite late. Today for instance, as training for a sprint triathlon I’ve decided to to, I ran to the swimming pool, swam the required distance and then ran back. It felt great to be able to do it. Some bits of my body were sore but not in a bad way, just a reflection of the fact that I worked hard and accomplished something if not done before, it feels great.
I enjoy it in that I find it helps me disconnect from work. Not even consciously, I just find after running for 40 minutes any lingering mental hangover from my office job are gone. It’s similar to what happens when doing volunteering or community work.
Lifting: I definitely don’t like while I’m doing it.
Riding my bike though: it’s great to get out there early in the morning and explore, see nature, etc. with the bike, I also just like the feeling of speed, so the physical act of riding can actually be enjoyable.
To a lesser degree, the same can apply to running. I find that when I’ve been in better shape, I could experience that runner’s high.
I recently started and I fucking hate it. I need a ‘reason’ like playing a sport. So for now my motivation is my daughter. So I can keep up with her. And I’m going to try join the local soccer club next year as a carrot on a stick to aim for.
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