Gassing Yourself Up at the Gym Can Help You Crush Your Goals

If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably struggled with some of these inner thoughts on the treadmill:

To study the effectiveness of different motivational techniques, the researchers had 44,000 participants complete a competitive task and measured improvements in performance using three techniques: positive self-talk, a motivational video, and if-then planning. (Want to get in shape, fast? Check out Women’s Health‘s Ignite routine created by Next Fitness Star Nikki Metzger.)

As part of the self-talk test, they had participants say phrases like “I can do better next time,” “I can beat my best score,” “I can react quicker this time,” etc. And they found that the competitors who used this method scored better on their tasks every single time. 

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Admittedly, giving yourself a mirror pep talk might make you feel a little awkward in front of your fellow gym goers, but if Jessica can do it…

And if someone does make you feel dumb for giving yourself some vocal encouragement in the middle of your squat presses, you’ll be getting the last laugh when you totally out-perform them.