I may have finally unearthed the elusive formula for staying consistent in the gym – and although unconventional, it’s become a hack I secretly swear by: the gym crush.
It’s indisputable that most gymgoers are guilty of this, so I’m here to convince you that it’s not only healthy – but also a criminally under-utilised, professionally endorsed hack to achieving your goals.
I believe I’ve unearthed the secret formula for staying consistent at the gym. iStock
This is a safe space to admit that maybe – just maybe – you haven’t been as set in your exercise regimen as you’d like to be.
In a moment (or several moments) of weakness, perhaps you’ve forgone the frosty 5am start for that extra two hours in bed.
Once upon a pull-up, I was in that same boat – with every effort to cultivate discipline crumbling before my very eyes.
The surprising culprit? Having a well-meaning, loving boyfriend.
Bless his heart, but all the encouragement in the world on his part did absolutely nothing to inspire consistency on mine.
Because in dating him, I’d lost a far more potent form of external motivation: romantic delusion.
The last time my fitness was at a level I was proud of was when a gym crush – who we’ll refer to as Chad – was in the picture.
Chad was a tall, dark, Swanndri-clad individual who always happened to be at the machine next to mine.
And from the moment we first locked eyes across the multi gym, I saw potential. But not romantic potential, oh no – the potential to use him shamelessly (but harmlessly) as a means to an end.
Ultimately, Chad served a greater purpose than that of a romantic interest. I showed up around four to five days per week, engaged in this strange, silent orbit, then left to go out and enjoy the spoils of being in the best shape of my life.
I’m a staunch believer in the fact that you shouldn’t just have a gym crush. You should be intentionally utilising one (while keeping gym etiquette, respect and boundaries front-of-mind, of course. Don’t be a creep).
Give them a name, give them a backstory – project a wildly inaccurate character read onto them if you must.
The point is to be as absurdly parasocial as you like, but never – I repeat, never – engage in conversation with them. The illusion you’re building is fragile, and can be shattered in the blink of an eye.
The second this grown man approached to ask for my Snapchat, the gym crush, far better as a concept than a reality, was no more.
According to Sam Wood, whatever gets you to the gym can only be a good thing. Charlotte Thieme
One might also consider the subcategory of gym crush that best suits your schedule. There are, in my experience, three main categories:
A fellow regular gym goer with a similar schedule to youA member of your group class or clubA staff member or trainer at the gym
One could argue that relying on external motivators in this manner is not the way to go – particularly if your goal is building consistency. After all, crushes come and go, and can’t always be relied upon long-term.
But according to health and fitness expert Sam Wood, the method you use to get to the gym doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is showing up.
Speaking to nine.com.au, Sam cited a common phrase within the fitness industry: “Do whatever makes the medicine taste better.”
“Not many people love exercise, not many people bounce out of bed. It’s a bit of an internal struggle, if not daily, at least weekly.
“So, anything you can do – if it’s a crush on your trainer, a crush in the gym… if it helps you go left instead of going right, it’s a good thing.”
As a personal trainer with over 20 years’ experience in the industry, Sam assured me that I’m not alone in swearing by this formula.
“You wouldn’t be on your own. I love that you’re brave enough to admit to it.
“I think if a gym crush then turns into a motivating factor that gets you in the best shape you’ve been in ages, well, that’s a beautiful cycle,” he said.
It may be unconventional, but it’s certainly effective. iStock
He pointed out that this approach has recently seen a spike in popularity through run clubs and group workout classes alike, wherein hundreds of aspiring fitness enthusiasts rely on the rush of seeing a crush to get them back on track.
But despite agreeing that what gets you there, gets you there – Sam warned against going as far as shadowing their pace or workout routines if they’re not catered to you.
“I definitely think you can use them to get you there, but don’t follow them or copy them,” he advised.
“Really, I’d be choosing the workout style or type that you enjoy the most because that’ll help you keep going. And that is in line with what you’re trying to achieve from a goal perspective.”
But at the end of the day, he agreed that gym crushes are a great way to lay the foundation for a good routine – and can work to build internal motivation that will keep you coming back.
“You’ve got to fall in love with a part of the training and that might not be the workout, it might be the result.
“But if you can develop that love affair as well as the crush, then you’re well on your way to good consistent results in the long term.”
So as I emerge from my initial post-crush plateau, I’ve now set my sights on a new motivator to help re-establish routine.
Will I ever talk to him? Probably not. Will I continue to use him as an unwitting pawn to get results? Absolutely.