Motivation Factors: How Personal Training and UREC for You can help Keep You on Track

By: Laura Felicetti, PhD
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Did you know that nearly half of the people that begin a new exercise program quit within six months? Sad, but true. Fortunately, studies have identified several factors that contribute to this high rate of non-compliance. If you or someone you know has a difficult time sticking to a workout routine, see if you can identify your saboteur and learn how to fix it.

Personal Factors

Personal factors include demographic variables, psychological health, education, values, beliefs and behaviors. For example, obesity and tobacco use are two personal factors that are highly correlated with non-compliance of a new workout program. Another factor is the belief in one's ability to succeed in a workout program. Interestingly, knowing the benefits of exercise is not enough motivation for many people to adhere to a program. They need to believe that they can do it. They need to believe that they can succeed.

Personal trainers are a great motivational and inspirational tool for people who find it difficult to maintain their exercise routine. Trainers teach clients how to perform exercises correctly and design programs that will help clients achieve their goals while having fun. Trainers are also great at encouraging clients while holding them accountable for their actions.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors include family and friends, convenience and appearance of the facility, and time. Lack of time is by far the most common reason given for not exercising, but it's easy to get sidetracked if your family and friends don't workout.

If environmental factors are your biggest roadblock to exercise, try UREC for you, a new program in which University Recreation programs are tailored to you and your friends needs, and in some cases, the programs can be brought to your door. For example, you can have a yoga instructor come to your dorm or facility and teach yoga to you and your friends or office mates.

Program Factors

Program factors include intensity of the activity and perceived choice of activity. A perceived lack of choice can lead to dropout, as can a program that is too intense or equally not rigorous enough.

Here again, the personal training program or the UREC for You program can help. Both programs tailor activities to your needs and abilities … so you choose your activity, intensity and have fun while getting fit!

For more information about the personal training program contact Laura Felicetti. For more information about the UREC for You Program contact Brad Stewart.