Gamification: A Rising Trend in Fitness
Gamification is becoming increasingly popular, not just in business but also in fitness. At MFT, we incorporate gamification into our Bootcamps, but what exactly is it, and why do we use it?
Defining Gamification
Gamification involves applying elements of game playing, such as point scoring and competition, to activities like exercise. It’s about making challenging tasks more engaging and fun. As one definition puts it, gamification makes “the hard stuff in life fun” (2).
Why Gamification Works: The Fun Element
The key to gamification is making activities enjoyable. By turning exercises into games, we engage people who might otherwise find traditional exercise routines mundane or challenging. Gamification triggers feelings of satisfaction, achievement, and happiness, enhancing the overall workout experience.
The Science Behind Gamification
Engaging in gamified activities stimulates the release of endorphins, creating a sense of pleasure and motivation to continue. This is due to dopamine, a brain chemical associated with pleasure and motivation (3). Thus, gamification not only provides immediate enjoyment but also encourages long-term engagement in fitness activities.
The Benefits of Gamification in Exercise
Distraction from Effort: Gamification can serve as a distraction, making participants less aware of the effort they are putting into their workout. A study on cyclists using video games as a distraction found that they worked harder without a greater perception of effort (4).
Simplifying Complex Movements: Turning exercises into games can help simplify complex movements. For instance, transforming a squat into a playful challenge can make the movement more intuitive and less daunting.
Encouraging Natural Movement: We encourage participants to move naturally through three planes of motion, using games to facilitate these movements. This approach can be more effective than traditional, rigid exercise instructions.
Join Us for Fun and Fitness
At MFT, we believe in the power of fun and games to enhance fitness training. By incorporating gamification into our Bootcamps, we make workouts more enjoyable and effective, encouraging natural movement and skill development.
Key References:
Lee, Kevan. “Games and Your Brain: How to Use Gamification to Stop Procrastinating.”
Definition of gamification.
Bardgett ME, et al. “Dopamine modulates effort-based decision making in rats.”
Monedero J, et al. “Interactive video game cycling leads to higher energy expenditure and is more enjoyable than conventional exercise.”
Experience the transformative power of gamification in fitness at MFT, where we turn workouts into engaging, enjoyable experiences that motivate and inspire.
