Can a single workout really make a difference?

We have never been more focused on boosting our productivity and well-being. From books to vitamins and special teas, there are endless products that claim to be the one key you need to unlock the perfect life.

While we love a good life hack, we also believe that the best thing you can do for your body and mind is simple: get moving.

When you’re struggling to find the will to work out, we’ve got all the reasons you need right here. Hit save on this article for the next time you feel like you just… can’t.

1. You’ll feel more positive

Your brain loves it when you exercise. Neuroscientist Wendy Suzukiputs, who studies the impact of physical fitness on the mind, puts it like this: “Every time you work out, you are giving your brain a neurochemical bubble bath.”

A single workout increases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. The result? A happier, calmer and more positive outlook. And Wendy says you don’t need to run a marathon to feel the high, either.

“Even a walk can start to give you those neurotransmitter and mood benefits,” she says.

2. You’ll become smarter

When you’re looking for your next big breakthrough, a HIIT HIRT session with Luke can be more beneficial than an extra cup (or three) of coffee. Yep, exercise doesn’t just make you feel better, it can actually make you smarter.

Exercise “literally builds brand new brain cells. It changes your brain’s anatomy, physiology and function,” Wendy explains.

Remember the feel-good neurotransmitters we mentioned earlier? In the short term, they can improve your focus and memory for up to three hours after you hit ‘Complete’ on your Centr workout. In the long term, regular exercise has been shown to help protect your brain from conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. So go get those brain gains!

3. You’ll sleep easier tonight

Do tossing, turning and over-thinking take over when you climb into bed? Exercise can help you fall asleep quicker, and get better quality shut-eye overall.

If you want to drift off with ease tonight, try some aerobic exercise – like Boxing with Michael or Functional Training with Rulk – during the day. Just make sure you finish your workout at least 2 hours before you plan to get into bed, so those post-exercise endorphins don’t keep you up.

4. You’ll like what you see in the mirror

The idea of an ‘ideal’ body is nothing new. Just ask the Ancient Greeks, who sculpted ideal physiques from marble long before the rise of modern media.

But unlike the people of old, who may have encountered a statue or oil painting that made them feel insecure, today we are constantly bombarded with unattainable bodies thanks to social media. No wonder many of us (men and women alike) struggle to accept and appreciate what we see in the mirror.

Next time you feel insecurity rearing its unhelpful head, a workout is a great way to shake it off and focus on all the incredible stuff your body can DO – not just what it looks like. One study found that just 30 minutes of exercise gave participants “significant improvements in their body image.”

Feeling good? Don’t forget to snap that sweaty selfie and share the love with your fellow Legends in the Centr community.