What motivates you to exercise? For most it's fear

What motivates you to get to the gym? If you are like most people it's fear of not looking so good. According to a study at the University of Bath (UK) such fears are a stronger motivator than the desire to look good.

The findings reveal why marketing works or doesn’t work for some products like gyms to get a better body or cosmetics to reduce wrinkles. The study shows that fear of failure motivates people more than gaining some success, which demotivates them. This fear of failure is particularly strong when people feel they can already see signs of the feared self they are striving to avoid.

While this information is certainly useful for marketers and perhaps even in understanding our own behavior, I find it kind of sad. I'm not arguing against the results of the study, only that it would be nice if the power of improvement was stronger than dwelling on the negative. Positive imagery does ultimately play a role however. Once people start going to the gym and move away from the feared negative state (i.e., looking old or overweight) those focused on the positive imagery (that is attempting to improve oneself) had a far greater likelihood of sticking with the regimen than the those trying to avoid the negative.

If this sounds confusing then focus on this. Whatever gets you into the gym (or any other method of health and exercise) is fine. If you are like most people it will probably be fear of looking unattractive. However over the long run, having a goal of looking fit is more likely to meet with success.

Not addressed in the study is the motivation of being healthy regardless of its effect on one's appearance. As we age, getting a certain amount of regular exercise is simply not an option, it's a must. The health benefits of exercise should be the biggest motivator of all. One reason for the study not addressing this aspect might be that the study's subjects were all young adults, a time where outwardly appearance is a far more immediate concern than healthy aging.

In short, whatever gets you exercise is okay, just get going.