We all know by now that exercise is good for us. If our generation is collectively not getting enough exercise, it is not a knowledge-based problem. We all have other obligations that are truly more important at times, and it’s easy to justify skipping one workout at a time.
A 2011 study from the University of British Columbia states, “less than one-third of adults engage in the amount of physical activity recommended for maintaining health.” As university students, we fall into this category of “adults” (as much as we’d like to deny it). This is not talking about entering body-building competitions or a level of elite athleticism, but simply maintaining our health.
This study cites research proving that people typically make incorrect predictions or “affective forecasts” about what will make them happy. It also shows that when recalling events, our evaluations are “disproportionately influenced by the endings,” suggesting that a more positive ending leads to an overall more positive recollection.
Similarly, initiating an activity that is difficult or unpleasant may anchor an individual’s affective forecast of the activity as negative. In addition, it has been shown that people who expect to enjoy something typically do, which this study connects to affective forecasts.
The first few minutes of any workout are typically not enjoyable—you haven’t got your breathing figured out yet, you have a surface layer of sweat, and your muscles are probably stiff. However, this study would indicate that if you push through the initial discomfort and make it to the feeling of accomplishment and the rush of exercise-induced endorphins at the end of a workout, you’ll have an overall better impression of the activity. Once you have this positive impression of exercise based on a positive ending, you will be more likely to make the affective forecast that you will enjoy a workout and find the motivation to try it again.
A 2002 study stated, “Providing individualized feedback has shown to be effective for physical activity promotion.” Many exercise apps or programs now feature an instructor who speaks into the camera, shouting encouragement such as “Push yourself!” The research would suggest that this actually motivates users of fitness apps to keep exercising.
In the study, Claudio Nigg discussed technology such as television in gyms: “This technology is designed under the assumption that exercise adherence is directly linked to enjoyment and blocking of unpleasant sensations —basically resembling a distraction hypothesis.”
This relates back to the idea of affective forecasting; if you’re distracted from unpleasant physical sensations associated with exercise by the pleasant experience of watching TV, then you may be more likely to remember it fondly and go back to the gym.
Nigg concluded, “For the science and business of physical activity and exercise promotion to reach the public, the interactive programs need to be disseminated to where most people can be reached —in their homes.” From an article written in 2002, this is eerily prophetic and basically describes the newest fad in exercise. The days of charging almost $200 for an exercise regimen on DVD, such as Insanity or P90X, are gone, and they have been replaced by exercise-related tools like the FitBit and the exercise app.
If you search “exercise app” in the Apple Store, pages and pages of apps come up that can track your calories, create exercise routines, record your accomplishments, and cost absolutely nothing. The top apps in the App Store include Swork It and Nike Training Club.
Swork It is the number one exercise app and allows you to select your workout based on time and your intended goal, giving you four categories to choose from: strength, cardio, yoga, and stretching. The great thing about this app is that you can do it anywhere you have your phone. It will walk you through a workout and explain each move using a personal trainer character, and you can customize it for the amount of time you have available. The Nike Training Club app separates your workout based on your goal, allowing you to choose between four groups: get lean, get toned, get focused, and get strong. You can select a workout that is anywhere from six minutes to 60, depending on your goal, and there are workouts at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced level. This app explains each of these levels in quantifiable terms related to how many workouts you average in a given week. The videos show you how and how long to do each move, utilising a variety of equipment depending on what is available to you.
If you’re someone who wants to exercise in the comfort of your own home but you don’t know where to start, exploring exercise apps may be a great way to get into the habit.
About
The Ontarion publishes independent, student-produced news, opinion, and commentary for University of Guelph students so that they can make informed decisions in their lives. To do this, The Ontarion provides learning opportunities and training in journalism, media production, leadership, board governance, and other aspects of nonprofit news.
The Ontarion is the University of Guelph’s independent student newspaper. It began in 1951 as part of the Ontario Agricultural College and then began to represent the entire University of Guelph once it amalgamated in 1964. The Ontarion incorporated in May 1970 as The Ontarion, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation registered with the province of Ontario.