‘How do I motivate myself to exercise?’
It continues to be one of the most-asked questions when it comes to health and fitness, with many of us still searching for that elusive ‘magical button’ that will make finding the time to workout much easier.
Sadly, the truth is that trick doesn’t actually exist, as many experts have repeatedly reminded us. So perhaps the answer lies in changing the way we think about exercise?
Fitness as a game
It’s what Peloton is doing with its new Lanebreak Tread workouts, an extension of the brand’s so-call ‘gamified fitness’ offerings.
Many people were probably guilty of spending hours on the couch playing Candy Crush at the height of the craze, so maybe turning exercise into a game is the answer.
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Lanebreak Tread is a gamified workout where users have to match and sustain their incline or speed according to animated cues on the tablet to get the highest score possible – all set to a beat pumping soundtrack
The user scores points by following visual cues called Moments. By adjusting the incline on the Tread, you can move into and stay in lanes that contain Moments. By adjusting speed, you can complete the requirements of each Moment and score points.
So the competitive person (hiding within most of us) will likely relish in the opportunity to hit a high score. And as Peloton instructor Jess Sims tells 9Honey Coach, it might not even feel like a workout.
“The powerful thing about Lanebreak is that you can easily get lost in this game-changing experience, forgetting that you’re even working out,” Sims says.
”Instead of taking direction from an instructor, you’re taken into an immersive world that combines the best in tech, music and fitness for a truly unique workout experience.
“The way the cues and movement perfectly match the music is one of my favourite aspects, and it’s perfect for the days when you want to mix up your training and try something new, or for when you’re needing a way to supercharge your workouts.”
Why we need to stop looking for motivation
According to personal trainer Sam Wood, motivation just isn’t the thing that is going to get you the results you’re after.
“People look for motivation. I’m a big believer that habits are far more important than motivation,” the Founder of 28bysamwood previously told 9Honey Coach.
“You’re much better off having good habits, like moving in the morning, doing your meal prepping on the weekends, whatever it might be, rather than relying on waking up every day fresh and hoping that magically there’s motivation.”
“That’s just not going to give you consistency and it’s consistency that gives you results.”
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And it’s a sentiment echoed by Sweat trainer Kelsey Wells, during a recent visit to Australia.
“You will never just have motivation. You have to get up and create it,” she tells 9Honey Coach.
“The only true lasting motivation is intrinsic motivation and that is all on you. So for someone struggling to feel motivated, it is about committing to something. And following through.
“Start small, maybe 10 minutes, three times a week, get up and move your body, be consistent, and you’ll feel more motivated to do more.”
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