Does anyone not get endorphins from exercise?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

I think I used to when I was going to about 3 or 4 yoga classes a week, for example. I felt great because I loved the whole experience. Excellent teachers and beautiful studio. But not now, getting ready for a walk. Yeah I need to go and sometimes it's fine.

However sometimes I feel like I actually get the opposite of endorphins? I get tense and a bit cross and so relieved to get home!

Do you feel a bit shit after exercising? Or is this purely a reflection of how unfit I am now?

I've never had them either.

I actually used to be quite active but I never seemed to get any fitter either - the same activity at the same intensity never seemed to get easier.

I don't do any exercise now, I just can't cope with adding another chore to the list

I don’t get it. I’ve been exercising 2-3 times a week religiously for 18 months and I’ve never felt this “rush”. I do feel smug after - maybe that’s what these people feel? Or maybe they’ve never had a really good bacon roll, which certainly does make me happy.

I don't. I go to the gym when it's open, one got a pin class but no endorphins. The closest I've come to it is skiing but that's more the whizzing down part.

Nope no just feel ill.

Me too. I stopped going to exercise classes because at the end I wanted to smash plates and punch people. Not great!

I've done 2 half marathons which took masses of training and building up to for me. Still never had endorphins. I don't think it's about how intense you do the exercise as I did it intensely enough to nearly vomit and still did not enjoy it. I did it solely as I thought it was good for me and actually feel very envious of people who like exercising. It's a lot of time to be bored for those of us who don't.

Nope. I get pleasure from being out in fresh air and enjoying nature but not from the physical activity even if it's a 4 hour walk. Used to quite enjoy a gym class when younger but that was just the feel of having stretched and used muscles. Made me very hungry though

I don’t. I like to go rambling but my heart rate barely rises so I doubt that is releasing endorphins.

I usually always get endorphins / feeling great after a run but one time my phone died and I had no music. Arrived home shattered (having just run a route I'd always found ok before), angry and just crappy. So amazing the difference in one tiny thing (the music), I find the psychology of it all fascinating.

I don't mind digging the garden or cleaning which are things that have to be done, but I wouldn't exercise for the sake of it, it makes me feel really ill.

I experience both. I have to do strenuous exercise for endorphins, maybe you are not exercising hard enough? However when I was running some days I hated it.

I just get migraines from exercising. I’m probably the only person advised by GP not to do aerobic exercise.

Nope I get nothing too!

The only time I've ever come close to enjoying exercise was a spin class at our local centre. It was some sort of crazy spin class with 90's discos classics. I was sweating at the end of it & didn't enjoy the exercise aspect but I was so busy loving the music/people there it cancelled out the hatred for the actual exercise!

Me neither. I feel cross and knackered after.

I've often wondered whether it's something to do with breathing correctly ? No matter what type of exercise I do, I can never remember to breathe right and end up feeling lightheaded and dizzy

Exercising when unfit is horrible. I hate it

But when I was young and fit I got a buzz from pushing myself yes.

So maybe it's about fitness?

Never. Not even slightly. I just count down the minutes until I can stop as time passes ever more slowly. Feel very jealous of anyone who claims they do produce endorphins.

I think the only exercise I get that kind of buzz from is dancing to my favourite music with good friends when we're all going for it.

I'm doing around 5 classes a week at the moment of cardio/strength/core. It does help wake me up but generally I feel tired and sweaty/relieved I've got it done, not euphoric at the end.

I get no such thing. Have done all kind of excersise over the years.

All I get are palpitations and a purple face.

In fact it's so horribly awful that I don't do any.

I get endorphins only when I feel like I've pushed myself and worked really hard. Plus a good long stretch at the end. Also it takes a while to get that feeling, it doesn't just come from one workout, you have to be consistent.

I agree with a pp though that said its harder when you're unfit. When I first started at a gym and could barely manage 10 mins on a cross trainer I just felt shit. I think when you see improvement this also helps with the endorphins.

Walking won't give you endorphins (unless it's a hike up a mountain or something) because it doesn't raise your heart rate enough. I still feel better after a walk though mainly due to getting fresh air and a change of scenery.

I’m actually allergic to exercise!!

Sounds funny, I know. I don’t tell people in real life because nobody believes me.

However, I cannot walk at a reasonable pace for more than 10 minutes without breaking out in hives.

Full blown, excruciating itching all over and bright red rash.

Once I tried to push on through it to the point of tears, and my lips and airway began to swell up.

It’s so horrible. I’d do anything for endorphins!

Mine is more like power walking rather than just strolling, so I think that's why.

Surely depends on the exercise? I love riding my bike but hate exercise bikes. Always feel good for having done it regardless though.

Nope, I'm the same & it most often gives me a violent headache too

I don’t either. I enjoy walking but that’s because it’s “me time” or catching up with a friend. I don’t enjoy being exhausted, irritated and sweaty.

You've got to sweat and raise your heart rate for it to work. Walking and gentle exercise won't cut it.