Knowing the science behind fitness is a great way to inspire yourself to exercise more often.

Fitness. What comes to mind when you hear that word? Probably sweat, weights, muscles, protein, fruits, veggies, no processed foods, and things of that nature. However, fitness is much deeper than the typical body movements, grunting, drinking protein shakes stereotype.

As with anything, you have to set your mind to a specific goal, and push yourself to reach success. Fitness is a mental thing. For example, let’s say you’re at the squat rack, about to do a few reps. You’ve got 250 pounds on the bar, and it’s your first time doing that much weight.

In your mind, you doubt that you can squat that much. What do you do? This is where your brain goes into a mental battle of giving up, or giving it your all. It’s one of two choices that you need to make. Giving up is the easy way out. But what happens when you decide to suck it up, and push past the doubt? Now your brain is in fight mode, “Fight, fight. Push, keep going.” That’s what your brain is telling you to do. So you go down with all that weight, then you come right back up. Guess what? Now you’re stronger because of it. Now you know how to wade into the water, and not sink under the surface because you’re afraid of the deep end. You’ve set a habit not to give up in difficult situations. This is the science behind fitness.