Need Motivation to Exercise? What Science Says Really Works

Exercise doesn’t have to mean sweating in the gym or endless treadmill time. How about hiking a local greenway, taking a dance class or volunteering to walk dogs at the local animal shelter? “We have this mental image that exercise is doing something that feels like a lot of work,” Markman says. “We forget that taking a walk in a beautiful area with a friend is exercise.” If you choose an activity you genuinely like, research shows you’re much more inclined to stick with it over time.

Write down exactly when and where you will exercise

In one landmark U.K. study, researchers put participants who were planning to start exercising into three groups: One got no information, the second received materials about the health benefits of exercise, and the third filled out a form indicating the single day/time/place (of their choosing) they pledged to exercise vigorously for at least 20 minutes. Two weeks later, the researchers were surprised at the results. An astonishing 91 percent of the third group had followed through, compared with less than 40 percent of the other two groups.

Become an early bird

Scientists have determined that we have a finite amount of daily willpower that is drained by decisions and activities throughout the day. To counter that, plan to work out in the morning, before your willpower is depleted and before life can get in the way. A study published in the journal Health Psychology found that it’s easier to develop a healthy habit in the morning, when your cortisol levels are higher, providing more of that get-up-and-go feeling.

Have a plan B

Expect setbacks, but instead of letting them get you down, Markman recommends making a contingency plan. Some studies show that using an “if-then” phrase can be particularly effective. Maybe it’s,“If I don’t get up to go to the gym in the morning, I will take a walk after dinner,” or “If I can’t walk because it’s raining, I will do 10 minutes of physical activity inside.” You can also use an “if-then” statement to tie a nonphysical activity you enjoy (such as listening to an audiobook) to a physical activity: “If I want to listen to the book, then I have to walk.”

Prioritize convenience

One study found that the shorter the distance to the gym, the more likely members were to go. Another shows that people who live in neighborhoods with sidewalks are 47 percent more likely to be active for at least 39 minutes a day than residents of areas without sidewalks. “Your environment can make a huge difference,” says David Maxfield, coauthor of Change Anything. “Set your workout clothes next to your bed the night before, and keep exercise equipment visible and nearby. If you have a treadmill or exercise bike on the first floor, you’re twice as likely to use it than if it’s in the basement.”

Make it social

If you’ve heard it before, that’s because research shows it works: You’re more likely to exercise consistently if you work out with other people. “It holds you accountable, because you don’t want to let them down by not showing up, and you’ll also have more fun,” says Deborah Feltz, a professor of kinesiology at Michigan State University. In her research, Feltz has found other benefits, too: People who work out with a partner exert more effort and also spend almost twice as much time exercising as those who go it alone.