Surprising Exercise Barrier

There are an endless number of inspirational videos to watch on the internet that share the benefits of exercise. It’s the motivation that can be hard to find. 

At the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, we have eight health, fitness and aquatics centres, so I usually see hundreds of people every day heading into the gym, to the pool for one of our outstanding aquafit classes, or off to do a Zumba or Yoga class. Some with a smile on their face, some with a bit of a determined grimace.  

On the days I’m thinking about the whys of health, I give everyone in the Y a silent cheer. Way to go! Good for you! Keep it up! I’m your fan! 

Every member who walks through the doors of the YMCA inspires me – they resisted any temptation to turn off the alarm, to sit down and veg, work late, choosing to do anything instead of exercising. Instead of moving. 

I give a silent cheer because I know the stats, and I know that only one third of us do any substantial moving in a day, never mind actual exercise that strengthens our hearts, lungs, mind and muscles! 

We all know we should exercise for better health. For better brain and body function, for better sleep. We should all move more for longer and better quality of life. Don’t get me started as we all know the research that support this! 

But what gets those YMCA members into the gym today and into a Group Power class tomorrow? Why is my neighbour training for a triathlon or racking instead of blowing the leaves in the yard? Why does my coworker love her pickle ball tournaments?

What motivates people? Certainly, they enjoy their chosen activity. And they have made a habit of moving. Some have experienced a health crisis situation – a heart attack, diabetes, osteoporosis, the list is long – which has given them the goal to get healthier. 

Recently I read the results of a study from a journal of the American College of Sport Medicine which made my heart sink. It suggests that for many people, how you felt about gym class in school affects how and whether you move as an adult. So, if you hated gym class, for whatever reason, you’re likely to be more sedentary now. 

Think about that. Grade school gym classes may be part of what de-motivates us to keep ourselves healthy. One awkward year of in-coordination as you grew or experienced physical changes, or one uninspiring gym teacher and this has affected how you think about exercising for the rest of your life!   

If we’re lucky, knowing that fact can help each of us understand some of our own resistance to movement and exercise. Real life exercise, movement and health is not about competition. It’s not about looking good. It’s about being healthy, being whatever level of fit we can be, and moving every day. As often as we can. One of our Board Chairs at the YMCA always says “We only get one body, and where are you going to live if you don’t take care of it? Let us at the Y help you keep you motivated” 

Real life is about finding what you enjoy, what is fun, and will motivate you. At the YMCA, we help people of all ages find the fun that you might need for exercise to become a habit. We help you find whatever it is that turns you on to health, whatever motivates you or helps you better understand what may be your exercise barrier. Everyone who aspires to better health belongs at the YMCA, whether you liked that gym class in grade 5 or not. 

(pssst thank you Mr. Krekorian for introducing me to flag football!!)