• Shift expectations by accepting that not every moment of exercise will be enjoyable; focus on the feeling of accomplishment afterward.
• Prioritize building momentum and routine over relying on fleeting motivation to maintain a consistent exercise habit.
• Seek out community through group exercise to tap into a sense of belonging and enhance the experience.

At The New York Times’s Well Festival, health psychologist Kelly McGonigal and Peloton head instructor Robin Arzón discussed strategies to help people enjoy exercise. They emphasized shifting expectations, focusing on momentum instead of motivation, and finding a community to enhance the exercise experience. The discussion addressed the common challenges of initiating and maintaining a workout routine, offering practical advice for overcoming these obstacles.

• What: Strategies to make exercise more enjoyable and sustainable, including managing expectations, building momentum, and finding a community.
• Who: Kelly McGonigal, health psychologist at Stanford University; Robin Arzón, head instructor at Peloton; Danielle Friedman, Well contributor.
• When: Discussion took place at The New York Times’s Well Festival on Wednesday; article published May 7, 2025 (in the original HTML title).
• Where: The New York Times’s Well Festival.

The article provides actionable advice for individuals struggling to maintain an exercise routine. By focusing on momentum over motivation, the experts address the common issue of relying on fleeting enthusiasm. The emphasis on community highlights the social and psychological benefits of group exercise. The advice is grounded in behavioral science and practical experience, offering a balanced approach to fitness.

Not being an athlete growing up, my experience with movement was mostly humiliation.

Motivation is fleeting. It’s ephemeral.

Sometimes the ‘feeling good’ is how you feel about yourself afterward because you persisted — and you’re exhausted.

I would rather be bad at running than good at couch.

When we move in sync with other people, our bodies enter a state — our brains enter a state that neuroscientists call ‘we mode.’ We enter a state of togetherness that is biologically real, and we can sense it as a kind of trust and closeness and belonging.

The strategies presented offer a realistic and sustainable approach to incorporating exercise into one's lifestyle. By managing expectations, building habits, and finding social support, individuals can overcome common barriers to fitness and experience the joy and benefits of regular physical activity. The experts' advice encourages a shift in mindset from striving for perfection to embracing the process of movement and connection.