Why Do We Workout?

Why Do You Go To The Gym? 

That last bag of chips is still filling out the love handles, and that last burger we ate over the weekend is still hiding our 6 pack.

So,  Why do we go? Why do we go to the gym?. . .

The Reasons

Many believe the reasons we go to the gym falls into one or more of these following categories… Which ones apply to you?

Because, this question is of value, because it will reveal and the reason why we train and then affect how we continue to gym train, lets have a look:

The reason we go to the gym are:

  • for physical & mental health reasons 
  • to feed our vanity & Insecurities
  • for an energy boost and to socialise 
  • to find a partner 

I wonder which ones you’ve chosen, maybe you only identified with one reason, maybe your in shock because you realise there are a few reasons that you go to the gym.

However, I want to say, ‘don’t be alarmed’ there is no right or wrong answer here, we’re asking the question so that we can asses the reason we spend time in the gym, and then, set our goals or realign our training routine accordingly.

Lets look more closely at each reason we use for attending our gyms:

Physical & Mental Health

For some gym attendance is crucial and it’s because we’re under doctors orders, maybe as part of a weight loss program, or for others it could be a way of maintaining clear respiratory tracts via cardio exercise to avert an asthma attack.

Also, for some of us living in small buildings, houses of multiple occupancy or in college accommodation, stress levels may become elevated due to constantly living in close proximity with others, causing mental anxiety due to a claustrophobic or unsafe, uncomfortable, insecure environments.

Vanity & Insecurities

However, if wer’e attending the gym solely because of our vanity, we must be cautious, vanity has the ability to distort the truth. Vanity, allows the mind to distort what is really attractive, healthy and wise. 

Also, in some cases some fall into the temptation of circumventing the natural process of training hard and being disciplined to achieve a goal, and, instead they race to obtain vain agendas by other methods. 

Methods such as chemical or substance abuse, trying to enhance the body by unnatural methods which can cause serious long term damage, weakening not the external looks or body image but the internal organs, the essential mechanisms of the body.

Energy Boost & Socialisation 

Yet, some train for an energy boost, because we all have days where we ‘just can’t be bothered’ where we would rather stay in, chill and eat junk. But, when we do make it to the gym there is an instant release of energy, as we meet others in the gym family.

This is due to a chemical reaction that takes place. A powerful cocktail of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin (all your feel-good hormones) which elevates our mood and optimises our hormonal response to stress.

Find A Partner 

Interestingly, for quite a few gymer’s romance is the hook that draws them into the Gym Family. The idea that “The One” will be found in the gym is the attraction and maybe romance is waiting for some as they train, as they workout getting into tip-top shape. However, to be hit on why your grunting, dripping sweat, and smelling like a full days work, is not everyones idea of a 1st date.

So, if your looking for the love of your life during a training session always give others the respect that is due, observe their space and privacy, be cautious, in a room full of testosterone metal bars and plates, be certain that its not you that gets hit upon!

Conclusion

By now you will have a clearer reason why it is that you attend the gym, why we spend all those hours with our Gym Family, and maybe this will help us to modify some aspect of our routine to enhance our sessions.

What ever the reason, remember the following 3 points:

  • 1 – When you train give it your full attention, decide before you arrive what you intend to do
  • 2 – Be focused remember your goals, your aims what it is that drives you personally, what it is that you want to achieve or maintain.
  • 3 – Remember, there are many benefits to training both physically and mentally, as part of a complete lifestyle, but above all of these reasons.

. . remember to enjoy every gym session.