The Sprightly Spud

We’ve all been there. Stationary in the gym car park, radiator turned up to high, drizzle pattering against the windscreen, as we mentally prepare to scrape our limbs out of our vehicle, and into some sort of workout.

Before you know it, half an hour has passed, and it hardly seems worth bothering, as you need to leave for work in 20 minutes.

Its easy to break our health and fitness commitments to ourselves, choosing the easy option rather than the one that serves our future self. What isn’t so easy, however, is breaking these commitments to others…

For some of us, training is a form of meditation. The repetitive thump of dumbbells hitting the floor, our own heavy breathing, or the steady whirr of a treadmill acts as a symphony to our solo pursuit of endorphins. And that’s ok. There may even be a scientific explanation for it. Dopamine (one of the brain’s ‘happy hormones’) is released in different parts of the brain in different individuals, perhaps indicating why some of us find the motivation to train alone, whereas many feel challenged to even get out of bed without the encouragement of others.

If you can find the ‘get up and go’ to hit the gym by yourself, then kudos to you, but it’s more than reasonable to want some company.

‘Accountability’ has become somewhat of a buzzword in the fitness industry. Essentially, it seems to be a positive interpretation of the guilt we feel from letting others down, because no one wants to tell their best mate Suzie that you’ll train legs together, then not turn up.

It’s not just friends that can provide this holy grail of commitment to exercise. Coaches, personal trainers and group classes can all have a similar effect.

Why bother?

I could preach the benefits of exercise all day. Get stronger, live longer, feel happier… the list goes on. The intriguing thing, however, is that moving with others could elicit even more benefits.

The first of these is social. Studies show that those who met face to face with family and friends at least three times a week had the lowest level of depressive symptoms two years on, at just 6.5%. With more and more of us working from home, opportunities to chat are more and more precious, essentially meaning that your ‘legs, push, pull’ split could build both muscular, and psychological endurance. *

What’s more, humans have an inherent need to belong to a social group thanks to our ancestors only being able to gain access to food, shelter and protection from attack, through cooperating with peers. So, the feeling of satisfaction you get when jogging with fellow members of your weekly run club may stem from your caveman roots.

Engaging in activity with a team of others who also enjoy it, provides a prime opportunity to make friends. Humans are prone to ‘affinity bias’, meaning we feel more profound connection with those similar to us. Consequently, we are more likely to bond with fellow attendees at our lacrosse club, than your Nan’s mates from knitting society. Therefore, ‘spin at 9, brunch at 10’ could easily become a new weekend ritual.

The perks could also reach your physical health. When Sally is cheering you on to get that extra rep, or Bill is pushing you to stick that extra plate on the bar, you’re so much more likely to do it than if you were alone. Hard things feel easier when we do them together, so teaming up could help you make gains, and achieve those big goals, much quicker

*https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-athletes-way/201510/face-face-social-contact-reduces-risk-depression

What are your options when it comes to guilt-tripping yourself into training?

1. Drag your sister along – she will thank you for it later

Siblings make the perfect guinea pigs for most situations, hitting the gym included. Members of your household are in the ideal position to accompany you. Most gym memberships offer guest passes, with some even having discounted rates for you, and your pal, when you ‘refer a friend’.

Win win.

Joking aside, persuading a friend to workout with you is the easiest way to give yourself accountability, and they get to reap the benefits of exercise too.

2. Book yourself onto a class

Whether its spin, circuits, yoga, or a good old Zumba session, classes offer a great way to meet others and try something new. Sometimes, having an instructor tell you what to do, rather than having to dream up your workout yourself, can reduce the mental strain required when you train, making adherence to your new fitness regime much more likely.

Most gyms have vibrant group exercise timetables, with pretty regular groups of attendees. This allows you to establish strong relationships with your fellow 6am HIIT warriors.

Alternatively, if you have a tattoo reading; ‘variety is the spice of life’, then never fear. In recent years a whole array wacky and wonderful classes have sprung up, from Taylor Swift Spin to Aerial Hoops, the options are endless. The downside of this more spontaneous attitude to your health kick is the lack of progressive overload. In short, if you’re looking to build biceps like The Rock, then this might not be the way forward. My take on the matter: if it gets you moving, its good.

3. Join a Crossfit box

CrossFit has earned itself a reputation as a bit of a cult, but don’t let this scare you off. The average CrossFitter will happily talk all day about how wonderful it is, and it’s inevitable they’ll include the sense of community in their spiel. The atmosphere in many CrossFit boxes is electric, a symphony of barbells slamming and encouraging cheers. For me, going to CrossFit is the highlight of each day, predominantly because I get to spend time with my crew. Most of them are twice my age, but this doesn’t impact my enjoyment of our post – WOD coffee and catch-up in the slightest.

Don’t let the half naked athletes swinging from bars like monkeys deter you, CrossFit is elite.

4. Get a PT to shout at you

If you’re serious about beginning your gym journey, making gains, and becoming a weapon of physical fitness, a personal trainer is the way to go. A good PT will develop a plan intricately tailored to your goals, current fitness levels, and amount of time you can realistically commit to the gym. What’s more, if you need some forceful encouragement, they’ll be happy to help.

For newbies, having an industry expert tell you what exercises to do, and how to do them with the correct form, is a sure fire way to avoid injury, and keep gym anxiety at bay. Even for those well versed in pumping the iron, enlisting the help of the PT may help you get out of a plateau, and inject some much needed challenge and variation into your routine.

Not only will booking your sessions in give you a time and place when you NEED to hit the gym, but PTs are generally pretty pricey, so you’re more likely to commit to the cause as you’ve invested your hard earned cash.

5. Try a team sport

Netball isn’t just for schoolgirls anymore. Most towns, cities and leisure centres have a vast selection of sports teams, with groups for all ages and abilities. Whether its rugby or quidditch, taking party in a team sport is bound to provide you with a sense of belonging, and training sessions will feel more like a social outing than a workout. Additionally, team sports can be a great way to fit in a solid session, with an hour of basketball burning up to 728 calories. So, get back into an activity you used to love, or try something completely new, either way practising with your fellow athletes could be the perfect way to hold yourself accountable to an exercise regime.

Stronger Together

Next time training seems like the worst possible idea, consider the following;

1. Are you working out in a way that serves you? Being ‘fit’ doesn’t just have to mean lifting heavy weights or running marathons. If you like dancing, do that. There is no need to emulate the routines of the influencers that populate our Instagram feeds.

2. Would it be easier with a friend?