studinthemaking’s BodyBlog

To make your workout seem like it’s going faster, count down versus count up. For example, when doing lat pull downs, instead of starting your reps from 1 and counting up to 10, start the count from 10 and go to 0. When doing a 20 minute run on the treadmill count down from 20 minutes til you get to 0. “You’re done!”

Counting down psychologically makes your body feel like it’s going down hill which is much easier to do than going uphill, like counting up. Time just feels like it goes faster when counting down versus counting up.

This tip works best for workouts that involve time or reps like on the treadmill, elliptical, or during weight training. How many of us keep our eyes glued on the timer wondering when the workout will be over? Yes, raise your hand! Doesn’t time seem longer when you stare at the clock?

One trick I do on the treadmill to keep me from constantly staring at the timer is to look up from the screen, and not let myself look at the screen again until I finish a count down from 100 to 0. I may even do a few sets of 100 countdowns to pass the time. Amazingly, a minute that seemed like forever, feels like it went by in a flash.