Imagine Your Way to Better Workouts

It is commonly held, and research has confirmed, that sports performance can be improved with visualization, or imagery. We practice this often with students here in order to improve technique, execution, or mastery of a complex move. 

Recent research has concluded that the same types of imagery can enhance "exercise self-efficacy", or in other words, help get a person off the couch, and in the dojang kicking, or out jogging, swimming, or playing tennis. 

I thought this was pretty exciting information wanted to share it with you.

The three approaches, each found beneficial (see the pdf attached at the end of this post for full research by Duncan et al) are:

1. Task oriented visualization: For example taking five minutes to imagine/visualize what the exercise will feel like, specifically, what it will feel like to be in the cardio heart rate, how your body will feel as your core supports a strong posture, or how it feels to stretch to reach just a little farthur than you have been able to before.
2. Coping oriented visualization: This is visualization that focus on overcoming the challenges that keep one from exercise. For example, feeling worn out, tired, or drained, and then imagining how one might feel upon completion of excercise, proud of the effort, rejuvenated, and more relaxed.
3. Scheduling oriented visualizations: As we all know, with full and busy lives it is sometimes a challenge to make the time, and then follow through with getting that workout in. This kind of visualization is to clearly put in mind the times, and days, to train, and how one will cope, reschedule, if unavoidable conflicts arise.

Fascinating research, which inspires me to incorporate these into our curriculum at , and of course into my life as well. 

Here's to fun workouts!

MeLisa Strongheart