How To Find Enjoyment In Exercise

Let’s start with a question: how do you view exercise? 

Do you view it as an obligation, something you have to do? Or do you view it as something you look forward to, something you enjoy? 

The truth is, most people view exercise as an obligation, and no one likes an obligation. That’s just human nature. It’s time to change that. 

Is it possible to go from dreading a workout to looking forward to it? Absolutely. But you’ve got to commit to making that mental switch. 

Here are our ways on how to find enjoyment in exercise. 
1: Change Your Beliefs About Exercise

If you want to start enjoying exercise, it will require you to look at your beliefs surrounding it. 

A lot of our negative beliefs around exercise often stem from childhood. Whether it be from a boring P.E. class, or not being athletically inclined and struggling to keep up, or being made to play baseball when you hated baseball and weren’t good at it. This can leave you with a sense that exercise is not something you are meant to enjoy but must endure. 

Stop and think about your beliefs on exercise. 

Which ones are negative and which ones are positive? 
When did the negative beliefs start? 
Are they still valid now that you’re an adult? 

Once you identify your negative beliefs, you can then decide that they are outdated and no longer serve you. Once you do that, you can then begin building positive views surrounding exercise. 
2. Find The Right Type of Workout  

How will you ever find enjoyment in exercise if you are doing something you don’t enjoy? You’re an adult now; you can make your own choices. 

Plus, with all the exercise options out there, there’s no excuse to be doing something you don’t enjoy. 

What was the last physical activity you did enjoy? Were you in a group setting or solo? Were you in a studio/gym, or were you outside, enjoying nature? 

Any physical activity that elevates your heart rate is exercise. So you don’t have to drudge through hours on the treadmill if you don’t want to. Take a boxing class, start running on trails outside, find a local dance class if that’s what you enjoy. 

When the activity makes you happy, then you’re going to start looking forward to it and maintaining consistency. 
3: Change Your Focus 

A lot of times, we don’t enjoy exercise because our focus is on the end goal. For example, if we are working out to lose weight and that’s our focus, then exercise then becomes an obligation. Something you have to do to help reach your goal. 

Again, if you feel obligated or think you have to do anything, you’re not going to enjoy it. 

Try shifting your focus to a mindset that you are improving your life; you’re energizing your body and mind and doing something for your overall well-being and happiness. When that is your focus, exercise stops being an obligation and instead shifts to something you are doing for yourself. It becomes a form of self-care, something you enjoy doing because of why you’re doing it. 
4: Create The Time 

If you feel rushed or that you have to sacrifice time to get a workout in, you’re not going to enjoy it. Frankly, you’re going to resent it or skip it or both. 

Maybe you think you don’t have time to work out. Perhaps now you work from home, so your routine is scrambled. Perhaps you don’t feel like you have enough time to work out in the morning or after work, so you don’t. 

Often, our excuses stem from limiting beliefs that are still rooted in the dread of working out. You don’t enjoy it, so you don’t want to do it. 

The reality check is that you have to make time to do the things you love. And while you might not love exercise currently, you will when you stop feeling like it’s an obligation that you have to rush through or make sacrifices to do. 

As the saying goes, “Stop making excuses, find a solution.” Start taking walks around the block on your lunch breaks. Take the stairs. Set up your bike machine in front of the television and peddle your way through the latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy.  

There are ways to get some exercise in without rushing and sacrificing other parts of your life. Make it happen; you know you can. 
5: Get Inspired

Never underestimate the power of music while exercising. 

In a study about the effects of music during exercise, researchers compared three groups: those who listen to nothing while working out, a second group that listened to a podcast, and the third group who listened to the music of their choice. 

They found that those who listened to music increased enjoyment of their workout by 28% compared to those listening to nothing and 13% more than podcast listeners. The study concludes that because music often has a positive effect on the  brain’s emotional state, it is a valuable tool in helping find enjoyment in exercise. 

So grab your headphones, find the song that pumps you up, and get to it. 

Find Your Enjoyment  


Don’t let limiting beliefs stop you from enjoying exercise. 


Yeah, it can be challenging and strenuous, but the mental and physical benefits are overwhelming. 


If you don’t enjoy exercise, take the time to reflect and figure out the reasons why. You might be surprised to realize that it comes from beliefs long ago that no longer serve you. 


You deserve to enjoy everything in life, including exercise. So commit to giving yourself a life of health, well-being, and enjoyment.

Share by: