to not be familiar with the exercise high from which people speak?

[mytartanscarf]

I quite like the gym in a clearing my head way.

But I have never had that "endorphin rush" people talk about.

Is it just me? A lot of the time all I feel is sweaty and bored

Adrenalin is totally different to exercise' high.

Definitely get it after a spin class and a run. Swimming or Pilates makes me feel accomplished and relaxed.

Perhaps those of us who don't get it, just aren't pushing ourselves hard enough?

Fair enough that I don't push myself so much these days, but I did some sport at university where if I was going to get it, I would have.

Nope, I hate exercise. I've tried many different things. I just feel cross that I ache so much and I am still fat. ZUMBA was the closest I got to enjoying exercise but I was still pleased when it was over. I really dislike having to exercise and find any excuse not to do it.

Never!

I really enjoy a brisk walk. Several times a day. That's it!

Hmm, I know what you mean. But maybe it's something to do either with pushing yourself more, or having a specific goal? I have only experienced it when I managed my first 10k shuffle run and when cycling 10 miles to work - getting there on time to have a shower and being set up, exercise-wise, for the day, was incredible. Wasn't quite as good on the way home. But then those things were also outside as pp have said, so perhaps it's something to do with that. I do find sweaty, window-less gyms make me feel a bit like a rat on a wheel; not conducive to any kind of high (except once I've escaped)...

I get it when I run although not always, an amazing feeling like you could fly and run forever.

I've done a couple of 10k runs in cities and the feeling of everyone cheering you on is quite extraordinary - you really feel invincible.

My gym is lovely, airy and spacious, not at all stuffy or gloomy thank goodness. I sometimes 'race' the people on the treadmill next to me and that is a great motivation - they can't get away from you either which is even better !

I find it a run in the rain can really do it. Not sure why- maybe I push myself harder as I don't get as hot with the rain cooling me down. Or just not caring about getting wet feeling very liberating? I also read something online about rain and ions in the air or something when I googled about it after experiencing such a giddy high after a run in lashing rain!

Oh, and I definitely agree that it benefits my mood when I exercise regularly.
There are also scientifically conducted studies finding that exercise and CBT can be as effective as anti-depressants and CBT in depression. Beneficial for anxiety too.

I've never felt it either! I have done all sorts of different exercise, achieved lots of goals, worked fast and hard, run races faster than expected etc etc and I have never ever ever experienced the endorphin rush that people talk about.

There is no doubt however, that when I expexcise regularly I am generally in a better overall mood than when I don't. So that tends to be enough motivation for Mr

Apparently it does nothing for the accuracy of my typing though

I don't get it from 'pounding' type exercise - running or spin for example.

But dancing I can. I think because I have to concentrate and use my brain as well, and you get that moment when it all just clicks and works. I can walk out feeling completely stretched and relaxed with a huge smile. Unfortunately, there are plenty of days when I just leave feeling achey and frustrated...

Exercise-high is physiological - unfortunately it tends to involve discomfort! You may get an adrenaline rush from people cheering you on, which adds to the motivation at the time, but the high tends to be afterwards.

You are more likely to get it if you push hard on a run or cycle (for example) over an extended period - it's the body's way of copying with pain (a bit like a natural anaesthetic). Also it tends to be CV-type exercise, getting - and keeping - your heart-rate up, getting out of breathe and sweating.

So doing weights, fast walking, swimming breast-stroke, a bike ride things that only just about make you out of puff may not amount to a 'high', but will make you feel a lot better.

I have, but only after a dance class. This may be why, pre-children, I did at least four classes a week. You wouldn't believe how fit I was.

I never get it at the gym or in most indoor exercise classes but I do a military style class which is outdoors and there is nothing like IMO. It is windy, wet, muddy but feels like a huge achievement each time.

I only feel like that when I push myself to the limit though eg when I feel sick.

I get it during a run occasionally, about 3-5 miles in: I feel really strong and light, running becomes effortless and all my limbs are moving perfectly in sync. It doesn't last very long, unfortch. I don't think I get it during any other sort of exercise I do even if it's strenuous. I think sustained CV is the only way to do it for me.

Never happened to me. Mind you I cannot bear anything that makes me sweaty and have always swum or walked for exercise so if they're the wrong types of exercise it will remain a mystery to me.

If you don't get it you haven't pushed yourself hard enough! And that's from someone that does a wide variety of excercise. I also think it's more cardio based that you'll get it from rather than weights.

I don't get it from running but I get a bit of a high from the 30 day shred, which I do twice a week rather than daily. Nothing like euphoria, though, just a nice, satisfied feeling. The muscle ache is pretty nice feeling too, though the next day isn't!

If you "can't run" try Couch to 5k. I can't run but I managed that (took me 2 weeks to complete day one, mind!) and it helped me in a "Wow I can do it" kind of way.

Never. Just relief it's over, I find it so boring. I'm trying to find an exercise that I enjoy so I don't feel like I'm punishing myself.

No. Feel pleased its over and proud that I've tried but not on a high. Regular exercise does make me feel more positive overall though which is good.

I only ever get this after a run where I have pushed myself VERY hard - it's a truly gorgeous feeling afterwards

The last time I got it properly was after unloading a 44 foot trailer full of haging garments. Reach above your head, lift 6-10 kilos, lower, twist and drop. Repeat 500 times. I drank 3 litres of water during it and my shirt was wet from collar to hem. I felt like I'd done 50 mgs of heroin. Then I drank a litre of Monster and felt like the Terminator. Slept for 9 hours that night and woke up not quite completely rigid.