"The person who loves walking, will walk further than the person who loves the destination"
There are 2 main things I've found to make the biggest difference when it comes to actually getting results in the gym:
Consistency over time
High Effort
So what does this have to do with enjoying your workouts?
More enjoyment = More consistency
We are more likely to repeat behaviours if they give us more positive outcomes than negative ones.
If every time you go to the gym you: feel intimidated, get frustrated and hate your workout then it's going to require a lot more willpower and motivation to turn up consistently.
Alternatively, if every time you go to the gym you: see friends, hit a new PB and leave with an endorphin rush then you are positively reinforcing the behaviour of going to the gym. Which will soon enough result in you actively wanting to go the gym rather than having to go to the gym.
Therefore by optimising for 'workout enjoyment', we can curate a workout experience that makes us less reliant on motivation and therefore more likely to turn up consistently.
Tips for Enjoyable Workouts
Making exercise enjoyable is key to sticking with it in the long run. Start by exploring activities that genuinley excite you and fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Whether it's swimming, cycling, dancing, or resistance training, the options are endless. Exercise can also be a fantastic social activity, so why not invite friends and family members to join you? Sharing the experience can make it even more fun and motivating.
Adding soundtrack to your workouts can also make a world of difference. Whether it's your favourite music or an engaging podcast, having something to listen to can make the time fly by. So, find what you love, mix it up, and keep it fun!
More enjoyment in physical activity = More Effort
How much effort do you put into something you resent? Usually... not much. How much effort do you put in to something you love? Usually... a lot.
In my anecdotal experience, those exercises which clients are more intrinsically motivated to progress are usually the exercises which they put more effort into and thus get better results with.
Whilst this is somewhat intuitive, there have been several studies which have linked job satisfaction to productivity. And, although it's not a direct comparison, I think there are some parallels from this that we can draw to exercise too.
More Consistency + More Effort = Better Results
Put simply, by prioritising the enjoyment of your workouts you're more likely to be consistent and you're more likely to put in more effort. These are two of the biggest factors affecting your gym progress, therefore the most 'optimal' training programme may in fact be the one you enjoy the most.
At ClubQ, this philosophy shapes everything we do. Because when training feels right and is enjoyable for you, results tend to follow. If that mindset resonates, well... you know where to find us.
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