The Secret To Exercise Motivation? Social Support.
May 27, 2014 // Fitness, Wellness
Success is never linear, and fitness efforts are no exception. Most people can attest to the burden and struggles of reaching their health goals. It’s almost inevitable that motivations will subside and busy schedules will interrupt exercise routines.
To truly ensure your health program is fail-proof, you need a support team.
As we all know, consistency yields the best results. The secret to maintaining consistency is having a social system. Social support has many elements that promote adherence, such as accountability, motivation, and a sense of belonging/influence.
The Magic Behind A Support Team
The reason why Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig have so successful for many years is their programs’ foundation of support. Research and studies have shown the influence of social support significantly increases the likelihood a person will stay compliant to their weight loss strategies. Members of these weight management companies can rely on their social support group, comprised of people facing the same struggles, to keep them focused and disciplined.
Having support isn’t limited to a formal group setting. Social support, in terms of health and fitness, can come in many forms:
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Personal Trainers
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Coaches
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Group Classes
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Professional Organizations
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Fitness Clubs
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Friends
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Health Events
Social Support For The Pro’s
Professional athletes have coaches and trainers. Trainers workout in groups. Fitness models have nutritionists. Even the most educated and experienced health professional utilizes some sort of social support.
Recently, I traveled to the Star Fitness in the Bronx to visit and train with my good friend and colleague Mark Campbell. Mark is the creator of the growing fitness movement called Gym Gang (@GymGang). With now hundreds of members, these weight lifting loyalists only have one requirement to join: Workout With The Crew. Their ritualistic dedication to exercise has packed on pounds of muscle and inspired many others in their network and communities to step up their fitness pursuits.
Groups like Gym Gang are making results easily attainable and metamorphic changes possible for others that would not be as likely to succeed on their own. I, myself, thoroughly enjoy the torture of being pushed past my pre-determined strengths and comforts of exercise. After completing over 1,000 repetitions (yes, 1,000), my newly swollen arms reminded me that exercise can be much more fun and effective when you remove yourself from the roles of motivator, program designer, and exerciser.
Here’s a prime example in the video below…
Commit To Something
With all the tools connecting everyone in today’s day and age, there is no reason anyone should take on the burden of exercising alone without at least some sort of social support system. Exercise and dietary strategies should be approached with a cooperative mindset. Committing to something bigger than yourself is imperative to reach your goals and maintain consistency with your efforts.
My Favorite Social Support Exercise Systems
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Precision Nutrition
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Brooklyn Body Bootcamp
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Any Crossfit “Box”
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BeFitNYC
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ZogSports
What are you going to commit to?
Inspire others and post your new commitments on social media using #MikeClancyTraining
