10 Weird But Fun Facts About Exercising

Let’s face it – no one really likes working out. We do it to stay in shape, look good, and feel healthy. Some people even use it as a stress reliever.

Despite our reasons we head to the gym, few people actually enjoy working their bodies to new challenging levels and having sweat drip off them. Because of this, we often look for motivation to go to the gym – to look like that picture in the magazine or to keep losing that weight. Sound familiar?

If you’re looking for some other motivation, no look no further. Here are 10 weird but fun facts about exercising that will make your hate for the gym just a little less. Continue reading to learn more!

1. Stretching Before Running

Growing up we’ve always been told to stretch and warm-up before we go running. Now, studies show that stretching before exercising doesn’t benefit our workouts. It actually makes our bodies less efficient so that we don’t perform as well.

In fact, those who stretched before running can burn 5% fewer calories than those who didn’t. In addition to burning more calories, non-stretched runners can run 3.4% farther than runners who stretched.

Next time, skip the stretching and warm up by walking or doing other running-specific moves and don’t forget to stretch your muscles post-run.

2. Music and Exercise

You can improve your workout performance by 15% if you listen to music. Music decreases the perception of effort and fatigue by 12% by acting as an effective dissociation strategy.

If you’re looking to get that exercise high in a fun and energetic way, dancing is the way to go. It makes the “workout” less of a chore and more fun to do. Zumba anyone?

3. Genders Versus Exercise

Working out with a partner is a great way to get motivated not just to go to the gym, but to do better while your there. But, be careful when choosing a gym partner and doing the same routine.

Men and women respond to diet and exercise in different ways. Studies show women need to do more exercises and need to watch what they eat more than men do to gain the same results.

If you decide to work out with someone of the opposite sex, make sure to tailor the routine to benefit both of you; do some research to find ways to spice up your workout routine.

4. Exercise Helps Achieve Goals

Between helping to tone muscles and lose weight, we already know exercising has great benefits for our bodies. But did you know it also increases productivity?

Our bodies increase the number of endorphins released into our bodies when we exercise. Not only does regular exercise increase our productivity, but it also helps us achieve our goals, discipline, and organization.

5. Improves Depression Symptoms

When your suffering from depression, the last thing you want to do is go to the gym. But, aerobic exercises could decrease depressive symptoms.

Exercising helps regulate your emotions and cognitive abilities which is why doing aerobic exercises at least three times a week could decrease your symptoms up to 47% after 12 weeks.

6. Morning Exercise Could Make You Ill

Squeezing in a quick workout is so hard with your daily routine, and you just don’t have the motivation to go after a long day of work. If you’ve started doing morning workouts, you might want to reconsider.

Those who do a heavy training session in the morning weaken their immune systems and are more likely to put their bodies at risk for infection from viruses and bacteria. A light job or some yoga in the morning won’t put you at risk, but we recommend saving any heavy workouts for later in the day.

7. Dark Chocolate Improves Performance

You’ll definitely see better results while watching what you eat and exercising, but this new statistic suggests you could improve your performance by 50% if you frequently eat dark chocolate.

When tested on mice, researchers found an important ingredient in dark chocolate – the flavonol epicatechin – lead to a stronger and greater endurance as well as changes in cardiac and skeletal muscles.

8. Swimming

Who said exercising had only to be done in the gym? Those who actively swim lower their risk of mortality by 50% compared to those who walk, run, or don’t exercise at all.

9. Diet is Needed

We know exercising is important when it comes to toning muscles and burning fat, but it isn’t the only thing needed when trying to lose weight. Most people think beginning a gym routine without editing their diet will help them lose weight when that isn’t the case.

Changing your eating habits by adding more fruits, vegetables, and fibers will make your gym experience that much better because you’re more likely to see results on the scale. If your goal for going to the gym isn’t weight based, you may not need to make any dietary changes. It all depends on what you’re looking to get out of your gym and exercise experience.

10. Facebook Boosts Motivation

Have you ever felt guilty for scrolling through Facebook or other social media sources when you knew you should be doing something active? Get rid of your guilt – Facebook is shown to boost your fitness motivation.

With how often we update our lives on social media, it’s motivation enough to hit the gym and make sure you look good when tagged in photos or post that selfie on IG.

Another way Facebook boosts motivation is by showing us what our friends and family are doing for exercise. Seeing people we know succeed at losing weight or toning their body motivates us to do the same.

Fun Facts About Exercising

While certain facts about exercise are common sense, who knew social media could help boost our exercise motivation? Between decreasing depression symptoms and finding out swimming is better than running or walking, exercise may not look so bad after all.

Check our website to find out more weird or fun facts about exercising, or contact us with questions you may have!

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