I read an article today about a new app called Carrot Fit, which will essentially "motivate" you to workout/lose weight by yelling at you if you don't meet your fitness goals - $1.99 in the app store, or in my case free because I can get the same effect from my fiancé.
It got me thinking about how to actually motivate people to workout...
My first thought was "Shit, I've been to the gym once in the last 30 days"
My second thought was "Shit, That comes out to $150 every time I went to the gym"
My third thought was "Ok, I'm DEFINITELY going to the gym today"
Unfortunately my experiences with "the gym" and "fitness" have not been stellar to say the least. Here's a breakdown:
Phase 1 - Hook
While reading GQ, see a picture of Matthew McConaughey and think to myself "Damn Max, if you go to the gym and lift weights you can for sure look like that in no time"
Well played, GQ, well played...
Phase 2 - Line
30 minutes later go to my local Equinox to sign up for a membership
"Oh, this is the most expensive Equinox location? No problem"
Phase 3 - Sinker
Eucalyptus towels???? I'm going to go ahead and pre-pay for a year (after all, that investment pretty much pays for itself).
Phase 4 - Game/Set/Match
Work out every day for 2 weeks, then week 3 goes something like this:
Monday: Going to skip today so I can try out that new speakeasy after work...
Tuesday: Basketball game is on, can't miss that (but you don't even have to miss it, Max...It will be on at the gym)
Wednesday: Modern family is on, can't miss that (but that's only 30 minutes long, Max)
Thursday: Boozing after work
Friday: It's Friday, who wants to workout on Friday?
Saturday: See Friday
Sunday: See Saturday
After a week like that its game over, you're never going to the gym more than once a week after that, and you're now effectively paying $40 every time you go - well played GQ, well played...
\End Rant
Now for the solution to the problem - Public Humiliation
"Woah, Woah, Woah, hang on a minute there Max - that's not very nice"
Yea I get it, call me an asshole, call me rude, call me (gasp) mean, but DON'T tell me that my idea won't work.
And not just any public humiliation, I don't really care about humiliating people in front of their loved ones (because loved ones will accept you no matter what, and it won't be as motivating) - I'm talking about having Bar Rafaeli track my progress and comment on it. You can bet the house on the fact that guys will be giving it 200% knowing that she is watching and giving you positive praise when you're doing awesome and cracking fun at your beer gut when you're not doing so awesome - all via twitter, obviously (hence the public humiliation part).
Editor's note: This is clearly not for everyone.
Anyways - somebody create that app, I'll be customer number 1.
P.S. Eat that, GQ!
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