{"id":1140218,"date":"2025-12-18T20:19:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T17:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1140218"},"modified":"2025-12-18T20:19:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T17:19:43","slug":"14-ways-to-actually-enjoy-working-out-according-to-experts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1140218","title":{"rendered":"14 Ways to Actually Enjoy Working Out, According to Experts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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14 Ways to Actually Enjoy Working Out, According to Experts<\/h1>\n
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By<\/span><\/p>\n
Amber Sayer<\/p>\n
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\nAmber Sayer\n<\/div>\n
\nAmber is a fitness, nutrition, and wellness writer and editor. She has contributed to The Manual, Women\u2019s Running, Trail Runner, and more.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nByrdie’s Editorial Guidelines\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Updated on May 11, 2022 11:40AM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Reviewed by<\/span><\/p>\n
Briana Bain<\/p>\n
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\"Briana\"Briana<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Reviewed by<\/span>
\nBriana Bain\n<\/div>\n
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Briana Bain, DPT, PT, is a physical therapist based in Virginia Beach. She works as a Physical Therapist at Adler Therapy Group and a BodyPump Instructor at OneLife Fitness<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Fact checked by<\/span>
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    There have been times in my life where I\u2019ve loved working out. Before you roll your eyes and groan, thinking, \u201cOh, she\u2019s one of those<\/em> people,\u201d just know that it\u2019s been such a long time since I\u2019ve felt that way that the concept is now as unrelatable to me as it might be to you.\n<\/p>\n

    Back during my love affair with fitness, I was in a different place in my life\u2014just out of college and living as a new NYC transplant, where everything in my life felt unduly exciting. And, when I truly think about it, my workout routine was optimized to be enjoyable. My week was peppered with a swath of hip workout classes, spanning the gamut from boot camps to Spin, Pilates to deep water running. I trained for a triathlon with a friend, rode engaging virtual reality bikes at my gym, and lifted weights with a coworker after work. On top of their normal health benefits, workouts were social time, adventure time, and stress-busting time all in one.\n<\/p>\n

    Since exercising has become much more of a chore in recent years, and is now simply something that I feel like I need<\/em> to do rather than want<\/em> to do, I decided to seek out advice on rekindling my fondness for working out. So, I turned to two experts for all the best strategies for actually enjoying workouts, so that I\u2019m more motivated and committed to my health and fitness goals.\n<\/p>\n

    Want to look forward to your workouts instead of counting down the minutes for them to be over? Read on for 14 expert tips on how to enjoy working out.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Meet the Experts<\/p>\n

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    • Melanie Eisner\u00a0is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in\u00a0mindfulness-based psychotherapy\u00a0for highly sensitive people.<\/li>\n
    • Alan Goldberg, PhD, is a sports performance consultant and the founder of Competitive Advantage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      01<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Do What You Love <\/span><\/h2>\n

      If you hate your workout, it\u2019s going to be difficult to feel excited or motivated to take it on. The lowest hanging fruit on the how-to-love-exercising tree is to pick an activity you enjoy doing. There are so many different kinds of activities and environments to perform them in, so if you haven\u2019t found your groove yet\u2014something you find relatively fun\u2014keep dabbling. \u201cYou might be drawn to weightlifting in the basement or in a gym, rock climbing, contact sports, running, pilates, being in nature, or yoga,\u201d says Eisner. \u201cYou might love an activity because you like going hard and getting your heart rate up, or you might like certain exercises because they\u2019re calming. You might like a certain activity because you love how your muscles feel, or because you feel a sense of bliss afterward.\u201d It\u2019s important to think about what you love, why you love it, and where you love to do it. \u201cHonor yourself by listening to your body and temperament, and don\u2019t do something just because you think you should. The more you genuinely just enjoy something, the more you will be apt to stick with it,\u201d explains Eisner.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      02<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Focus On the Outcome <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Okay, so maybe it\u2019s hard to love<\/em> doing heavy squats or holding a plank when your muscles are trembling, but if you think about how good you\u2019ll feel physically and mentally by completing your workout, it will help your brain push forward. \u201cIt becomes vital for exercise to stimulate dopamine in the brain to help people who struggle with motivation to look forward to getting to their workouts,\u201d explains Eisner. \u201cWe want these people to associate exercise not with something they have to do and get over with, but with something that feels good in the body, boosts their mood or lowers anxiety, or in which they cultivate positive feelings about themselves for doing something healthy and taking care of themselves.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      03<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Listen to Music or Podcasts <\/span><\/h2>\n

      With wireless headphones, it\u2019s fairly easy to exercise and listen to music or podcasts these days, which can provide entertainment, distraction, and prevent you from getting bored.\n<\/p>\n

      \u201cMusic can not only help you pass the time working out but [it can] also motivate you and make it that much easier to stay focused on your task at hand,\u201d explains Goldberg. \u201cAlso, music helps constructively distract us from the inner [dialogue] of negative self-talk and self-doubts.\u201d And, if you\u2019re looking to make your sweat time double as learning time, consider podcasts. \u201cPodcasts can provide you intellectual stimulation or a dose of comedy,\u201d shares Eisner. To give you the push to work out, consider reserving your favorite podcast, show, or audiobook listening for workouts only so that you\u2019re drawn to lace up your sneakers to enjoy the next installment and catch up with your favorite characters.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      04<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Incorporate Play <\/span><\/h2>\n

      As adults, we rarely “play” anymore, yet playing is not only inherently fun but also important for our mental health. According to Eisner, “Play can be something that allows you to move freely and experiment, such as putting on music and dancing in your room, or it could be something with a competitive vibe such as a sport.” When I used to ride the exercise bike with a virtual reality interface, the whole ride felt like one big game. “Play is often associated with the sought-after ‘flow’ state, in which you can get fully absorbed in an activity and be so immersed in the moment that you lose a sense of time,” explains Eisner. “The ingredients that lead to flow are having skill in the activity (you might have practiced it for years), yet you are still challenged by it to an optimal level (it\u2019s not too easy nor too difficult), and you enjoy engaging in it. Consider going back to a sport you played as a child, such as soccer, basketball, or tennis, and joining an adult recreational or competitive team.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      05<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Make It Social <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Looking back, I think part of what made my jam-packed fitness routine in my younger years so much fun was that I did most activities with different friends or took classes where there was a strong social component before and after the class. Camaraderie really does help. \u201cIt\u2019s always easier to get motivated and push yourself out of your comfort zone when you\u2019re not alone,\u201d notes Goldberg. \u201cFind a like-minded partner and your exercise \u2018work\u2019 will be that much easier.\u201d Eisner agrees. \u201cFinding a workout buddy will help you stay accountable and boost social connection and endorphins,\u201d says Eisner. And, get creative. For outdoor activities, your buddy can even be your dog.\n<\/p>\n

      8 Stylish Roller Skates for Every Skill Level<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      06<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Remove the Pressure <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Setting small goals helps remove any pressure or sense of overwhelm that a daunting or seemingly unrealistic goal might. Especially if you\u2019re just starting out on your exercise journey, the goals can be really small\u2014consider putting on your shoes and doing 20 jumping jacks, or take a 10-minute walk. \u201cSetting small, accomplishable goals helps you to build up good feelings about yourself, establish trust with yourself, and make failure impossible,\u201d explains Eisner.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      07<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Harness the Feeling of Pride <\/span><\/h2>\n

      \u201cMake sure to connect with a sense of pride in yourself for small or large accomplishments in your exercise routine,\u201d advises Eisner, who says these internal rewards can help keep the habit going. \u201cThis isn\u2019t an ego or pride thing as in: \u2018Look at me I ran eight miles!\u2019 It\u2019s more the smile of a toddler when she\u2019s learning how to walk. There\u2019s a natural and healthy pride that arises when we extend beyond our comfort zone, and it really serves us to fully take that in.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      08<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Treat Yourself <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Another thing that can get you out the door for your workout is knowing that you have something to look forward to when you return. Program a small \u201creward\u201d or \u201ctreat\u201d into your routine that immediately follows your workout. Only allow yourself to earn the reward if you complete your sweat session. \u201cLeaving something like breakfast or coffee to look forward to after your exercise can be an extra incentive during your workout,\u201d suggests Eisner. \u201cThis creates the association between working out and feeling happy and satisfied, which stimulates dopamine in the brain and helps you to maintain motivation for an ongoing exercise routine.\u201d Or, reward yourself at the end of the week if you get all your workouts in. Perhaps there are some new songs you want for your pump-up playlist, a cute fitness top, or a manicure. Pick something fun that will motivate you to lace up and work out.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      09<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Get Outside <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Do you remember the feeling of itching to go out for recess when you were a kid? Recreate that draw with your workout. Most of us spend the majority of our day inside, so instead of taking on an indoor workout and adding to that time, exercise outdoors for a change of scenery\u2014and additional physical and mental benefits we all need. \u201c[It\u2019s] a chance to be mindful, get out of your head, and bring your attention to the setting around you\u2014the sights of the trees and sky, the smells of the fresh air, flowers blooming, the sounds of birds,\u201d shares Eisner. \u201cBreathing natural chemicals in a forest\/tree setting benefits the immune system, and visually taking in organic materials (with soft edges and curves, rather than sharp edges as is common in city settings) is calming for the nervous system.\u201d Plus, it boosts the mood. \u201cChronic depression in our culture may be linked to increased separation from the natural world,\u201d says Eisner. \u201cGetting outside and in nature is an antidote to that, which can heal, de-stress, bring joy, and restore our spirits. Also getting sunlight, which contains vitamin D, is a good mood booster.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      10<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Keep It Fresh <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Even if you’re a yoga fanatic or training for a marathon, make sure you\u2019re introducing other activities into the mix as well. Adding variety to your workout routine doesn\u2019t just make your fitness more well-rounded and help prevent injuries, but it also keeps your brain engaged and seeking more. \u201cTo increase dopamine in the brain around exercise, we want to make the exercise not feel tedious, boring, or obligatory, but [something] fun, exciting, and containing novelty,\u201d advises Eisner.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      11<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Consider Your \u201cWhy\u201d <\/span><\/h2>\n

      \u201cRemembering why you are doing this (I feel so good afterward; I am valuing my health; my anxiety decreases when I am exercising regularly), will help bring more meaning into the exercise practice itself, and help you maintain your workout routine,\u201d says Eisner. You might even consider physically writing your \u201cwhy\u201d on a notecard and placing it somewhere prominent in your home or office so that you\u2019ll catch a glimpse and remember what matters to you, even when your motivation is low.\n<\/p>\n

      Goldberg agrees that having a \u201cwhy\u201d you connect with makes your workouts more enjoyable because you are more consciously connected to the benefits of pushing yourself through them\u2014thus, the work becomes worth it. \u201cMotivation is all about having a specific direction for you to head towards,\u201d explains Goldberg, who says you need to have a big enough \u201cwhy\u201d to sustain your motivation.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      12<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Use It For Stress Relief <\/span><\/h2>\n

      \u201cFinding a workout that offers stress relief might lead to you to notice lowered anxiety, increased mood, a sense of lightness, feeling calmer, or feeling a greater sense of wellbeing,\u201d notes Eisner, who remarks that these feelings can be deeply rewarding. \u201cA common experience for [people who practice] yoga is post-practice \u2018yoga brain\u2019, wherein you\u2019re feeling a sense of peace and even bliss\u2014you tend to forget where you put your shoes or keys.\u201d We could all use a nice dose of calm. By consciously acknowledging the stress relief and mood boost a workout will give you, you may be more motivated to hit the gym.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      13<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Use Positive Affirmations <\/span><\/h2>\n

      If you\u2019re struggling through your warmup and dreading the workout, try to reroute your mind with uplifting quotes and encouragement. Goldberg says that nothing good comes from negativity. \u201cIt kills our motivation, undermines our confidence, and sabotages our intentions,\u201d he says. \u201cUse positive affirmations to keep yourself positive and moving towards your goals. If this sounds daunting or uncomfortable, Goldberg encourages you to push through and try it anyway. \u201cEven if the positive statements you make to yourself are hard to believe in the beginning, they will form a bridge to help you get from how you think and feel now to how you want to think and feel in the future,\u201d he says.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      14<\/span>of 14<\/span><\/div>\n
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      Set an Exciting Goal <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Though small, achievable goals can provide a more immediate sense of pride and accomplishment, and develop a sense of self-efficacy, big, exciting goals have their place, too. \u201cWorking towards a race such as a 5K, marathon, or triathlon can be extremely motivating and you can celebrate your progress over time.\u201d Consider setting a combination of smaller goals that lead stepwise to a \u201cdream\u201d goal. You\u2019ll have more fun along the journey\u2014during each workout\u2014if you know it\u2019s leading you towards a big adventure or something really exciting.\n<\/p>\n

      \u201cYou have to have a big dream or goal that you<\/em> want to accomplish,\u201d advises Goldberg. \u201cAnd then to make this work, you must break that big goal into smaller ones so that every day you can see that you\u2019re working towards the accomplishment of that big \u2018why.\u2019\u201d\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      This 15-Minute Bodyweight Workout Will Tone Your Body in Just 3 Weeks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      Article Sources<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.<\/div>\n
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        Greenwood BN. The role of dopamine in overcoming aversion with exercise.\u00a0Brain Res<\/em>. 2019;1713:102-108.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Terry PC, Karageorghis CI, Curran ML, Martin OV, Parsons-Smith RL. Effects of music in exercise and sport: A meta-analytic review.\u00a0Psychol Bull<\/em>. 2020;146(2):91-117.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      3. \n

        Chin MS, Kales SN. Is there an optimal autonomic state for enhanced flow and executive task performance?\u00a0Front Psychol<\/em>. 2019;10:1716.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      4. New item \u2026\n

        Andersen L, Corazon SSS, Stigsdotter UKK. Nature exposure and its effects on immune system functioning: a systematic review.\u00a0Int J Environ Res Public Health<\/em>. 2021;18(4):1416.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        Read more:<\/div>\n
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        • Health & Wellness<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Fitness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

          Source URL: https:\/\/www.byrdie.com\/how-to-actually-enjoy-working-out<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          14 Ways to Actually Enjoy Working Out, According to Experts By Amber Sayer Amber Sayer Amber is a fitness, nutrition, and wellness writer and editor. She has contributed to The Manual, Women\u2019s Running, Trail Runner, and more. Byrdie’s Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 11, 2022 11:40AM Reviewed by Briana Bain Reviewed by Briana Bain Briana […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1140219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[83],"class_list":["post-1140218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-byrdie-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1140218"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140218\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1140219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1140218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1140218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1140218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}