Having trouble getting yourself to the gym? If so, you’re not alone—one in five people have lied about working out.
That being said, a new survey of 2,000 exercising Americans says that if you make sure to pack all of your essentials prior to going to the gym, you’re far more likely to finish your workout.
The survey found more than a third (37%) admitted they’re more likely to wrap a workout early because they forgot something; 3 in 10 have skipped the entire workout because they didn’t have an “essential” item.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Gatorade, the survey examined the successes (and failures) of working out and broke down what respondents had to have to make it all the way through a sweat-session.
WORKOUT ESSENTIALS
1. Sneakers 83%
2. Workout bottoms 70%
3. Socks 69%
4. Hydration 67%
5. Workout top 64%
6. Deodorant 62%
7. Weights 60%
8. Headphones 56%
9. Gym bag 42%
10. Music device 38%
11. Hair tie 36%
12. Workout/yoga mat 32%
13. Cleansing wipes 26%
14. Lock for locker 25%
15. Phone charger 23%
16. Dry shampoo 13%
Sneakers topped the list (83%), closely followed by workout bottoms (70%), socks (69%), hydration (67%) and a workout top (64%). Over half (56%) admitted their headphones qualified as required workout gear and just under a third couldn’t get their heart rate up without a snack.
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Furthermore, 50% of participants say they wouldn’t make it through their entire exercise routine without their favorite tunes to keep their mind occupied.
When asked which songs pump respondents up while exercising, Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust,” Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” Katy Perry’s “Roar” and Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” were found to be some of the go-to tunes.
TOP WORKOUT SONGS
• “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen
• “Back in Black” by ACDC
• “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
• “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen
• “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
• “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi
• “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin
• “Roar” by Katy Perry
• “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo
Sixty-two percent of respondents admitted that little tweaks to their routine can have a major impact—over half (52%) saw a change in their workout performance if they ate or drank something different before or during exercise.
However, 19% say they have lied about working out—and 37% admit doing so in order to convince someone else they were busy.
That was followed by hoping to impress someone (35%) and respondents being embarrassed by what they were actually doing (31%).
TOP WORKOUT EXCUSES
1. Too tired 58%
2. Other things to do 51%
3. Didn’t want to go 30%
4. Made up an excuse 21%
5. Spent too much time at work 21%
6. Wanted to go home 19%
7. Forgot something 17%
8. Ate too much before 12%
9. Felt dehydrated 11%
10. Didn’t eat enough 9%
Respondents dug deep into the excuses they use on themselves when they’re itching to ditch a workout.
The top justifications were being too tired (58%), having other things to do (51%), straight up not wanting to go (30%), and too much time spent at work (21%).
In spite of the flimsy excuses people came up with to stay out of the gym, three in four (76%) said they feel “accomplished” when they finish a workout.
WHAT MAKES WORKOUTS BETTER
1. Right hydration 46%
2. Great playlist 44%
3. Workout with a friend 41%
4. New workout routine 34%
5. New sneakers 31%
6. New workout clothes 29%
7. Personal trainer 21%
8. Workout class 20%
9. Right pre-workout snack 20%
10. Right post-workout snack 18%
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