Social accountability
I just had the longest weekend:
Working during the days, birthday party, live workout, seeing a show, chores, cast party for Jared where we didn’t get home until 1am.
Needless to say, when Monday morning came around and I logged on to read all of the scheduled emails that people needed urgent replies to, I really wanted to cancel on my workout partner, Ixchel.
But I decided not to.
Hopefully an hour at the gym would lift me out of my funk and make my afternoon just a bit less of a drag.
So I walked to the gym, Ixchel and I decided loosely on what our programming was going to look like for the day, and we got to work.
Very quickly—after 10 or so minutes—it became very clear it wasn’t going to happen. We did 40 bicep curls and called it a day. We were just so exhausted and couldn’t snap out of it even after a double shot of espresso.
From the back room at the gym, we decided to finish our workout early. Meanwhile, the noon class was in full swing. They were doing deadlifts for strength, followed by a 15 minute workout of box jumps, rowing, and dumbbells snatches.
There was a full class of 25 people probably just as tired as I was, but they were still doing their workout. They didn’t cut out after two sets.
This isn’t a lesson telling you to just be fucking tough. To push through the pain and not be a lazy piece of shit. This is a lesson telling you that you can’t rely on willpower. You can’t rely on discipline. Eventually you’re going to run out of battery and once that happens, it’s the China Garden buffet followed by four hours of TV on the couch.
Social accountability.
It’s one of the most potent tools we have in our toolbox when building healthy habits.
When you sign up for a fitness class, there is a whole host of accountability factors that come into play.
You’ve signed up for a class that is now on your calendar.
You have a coach watching your technique and cheering you on to keep going.
You have programming that prioritizes progressive overload and variety instead of doing the same machines every day.
You paid a lot of money for this class, so you’re actually going to follow through with showing up.
You may have friends in class who you can chat and commiserate with.
And maybe the most unassuming, yet most potent, every other member in the class is doing the workout, so you’re going to do the workout too.
“This isn’t a lesson telling you to just be fucking tough. To push through the pain and not be a lazy piece of shit. This is a lesson telling you that you can’t rely on willpower.”
There’s something unbelievably powerful about collective action. All of the other class members got to class and did the workout—and I can count on one hand the number of times someone has taken one of my classes and stopped halfway through.
When other people can do something, it takes away the opportunity for your brain to make excuses for you to stop. You’re not going to be the only one who doesn’t do the workout—and this is an incredibly helpful thing for healthy habits. We need that kind of accountability to keep us going.
We can replicate this in different ways with sports teams or personal trainers or walking groups—but by far my favorite way to keep myself motivated at the gym is to sign up for classes. I’ve been taking in-person and virtual classes 4-5 times a week for the past 15 years of my life and I’m not stopping anytime soon because they actually work. Group classes are fun, they’re motivating, they’re social, and so much cheaper than a personal trainer.
I know group classes are still expensive. I know they might be at an inconvenient time. I know you could get a “personalized program specific to your goals” instead of doing what the class is doing.
And for 10% of people—this will work. But for the rest of us who aren’t always intrinsically motivated to get our workouts in, classes are our secret weapon.
Whether you’re taking in-person classes or doing your workouts live on zoom, the benefits remain the same. Are you able to shoot the shit with your buddies a bit easier when you’re standing next to them at the squat rack? Sure.
“...this is an incredibly helpful thing for healthy habits.”
But honestly, virtual group classes have a huge leg up. They’re less expensive, you can do them from anywhere with minimal equipment, and they’re much more approachable than the standard intimidating gym experience. You’ll still get great coaching, a community-feel, accountability, quality programming—and most importantly—the social accountability of everyone else on the virtual workout doing their workout, so you’re motivated to do your workout too.
That’s why we’re offering live virtual classes with Pridefit. Because we know they’re the best way to get your workouts in and smash your goals.
If you’re interested in being a beta tester, fill out THIS FORM and we’ll be in touch!
