Let’s be honest. Exercise exists for two main reasons: to look good or to perform better. Sure, some people claim they do it to “feel better,” but let’s face it—that’s just a polite way of saying they want to look less like a collapsed soufflé when naked or be able to climb stairs without sounding like a bagpipe mid-solo. So, whether you’re trying to sculpt abs sharp enough to dice an onion or lift heavy things for no discernible reason, exercise is fundamentally about aesthetics or performance. The “feeling better” part? That’s just the bonus fries in your metaphorical Happy Meal of fitness.

Looking Better: The Vanity Fair of Exercise

Ah, the pursuit of looking good. It’s as old as humanity itself. Back in the caveman days, it probably meant having shinier hair or a club carved from the fanciest tree. Today, it means muscles popping in just the right places, glutes that defy gravity, and the kind of body that makes others question their life choices.

Why We Do It:

1. Mirror Worship: There’s no shame in catching your reflection in a shop window and thinking, “Damn, I’d swipe right on that.”
2. Instagram Validation: Let’s be real. If a workout happens and you don’t post about it, did it even happen?
3. Revenge Glow-Up: The classic “look what you missed out on” after a breakup. Truly, the pettiest (and best) motivation.

5 Tips for Looking Better:

1. Train Like You’re Preparing for a Calvin Klein Ad: Stick to exercises that sculpt key “aesthetic muscles”: chest, shoulders, arms, and glutes. Basically, anything that fills out a tight T-shirt or a pair of jeans.
2. Eat Like You’re a Health Influencer: You know the drill: high protein, low junk, and more greens than you’d find at a rabbit’s birthday party. The occasional “cheat day” is fine, but not every day can be a cheat day, Dave.
3. Get Lit (Literally): Proper lighting hides sins and accentuates virtues. This goes for both gym selfies and your actual body. Always find the right angle and lighting—it’s the law.
4. Cardio for Definition: Hate it? Too bad. Cardio burns the extra insulation hiding your hard-earned muscles. Think of it as a painful unveiling of your inner Greek statue.
5. Consistency is Key: There’s no magic shortcut. You can’t work out once and expect to look like Chris Hemsworth. Well, unless you also happen to have his genetics, trainers, and Marvel Studios’ CGI department.

Performing Better: The Athlete’s Playground

For those who scoff at superficial goals like vanity (but secretly check their biceps in the bathroom mirror), there’s the performance crowd. These are the people who train to do things—run marathons, deadlift small cars, or win the coveted title of “Most Likely to Leave You in the Dust During a Park Run.”

Why We Do It:

1. Ego: There’s nothing quite like casually dropping into conversation, “Oh yeah, I bench 120kg now.”
2. Competition: Whether it’s against others or just your past self, winning is addictive.
3. Survival Skills: Because you never know when you might need to outrun a bear or carry all the groceries in one trip.

5 Tips for Performing Better:

1. Train for Function, Not Fluff: Focus on compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and pull-ups. Forget endless bicep curls; you’re training to dominate life, not just arm-wrestling contests.
2. Progressive Overload: The only way to improve is to keep challenging yourself. If your workout feels easy, you’re doing it wrong. Add weight, reps, or intensity.
3. Fuel Your Performance: This isn’t the time to skimp on carbs. You’re a high-performance machine, not a calorie-counting gremlin. Eat to support your training.
4. Recovery is Non-Negotiable: Sleep like it’s your job, stretch like you’re auditioning for Cirque du Soleil, and foam roll like your life depends on it. Because it does.
5. Set Specific Goals: Whether it’s running a sub-4-minute kilometre or mastering a one-arm pull-up, having a target will keep you focused and motivated.

But What About “Feeling Better”?

Here’s the thing: feeling better is a consequence of looking and performing better. When you’re smashing PBs or catching your reflection in a window and thinking, “Who’s that hottie? Oh wait, it’s me!” you’re bound to feel better. Increased endorphins, improved confidence, and reduced stress are just side effects of the main gig.

The Dirty Little Secret:

Even the “feel better” crowd cares about looking or performing better. It’s just dressed up in fluffier language. “I’m exercising for mental health” is often code for “I’m exercising so I can fit into my jeans without holding my breath.”. “Exercise help me manage my stress,” translates to, “If I pre-exhaust myself before work, I’ll be less likely to overreact when the usual triggers arise – and just get the job done,” i.e. perform better.

A Unified Theory of Exercise

Ultimately, whether your goal is vanity, performance, or something in between, exercise boils down to this: you’re trying to be the best version of yourself. And there’s no shame in admitting that part of that involves looking hot or being able to carry all the shopping bags in one go.

So, whether you’re doing deadlifts to impress your gym crush, smashing out HIIT sessions for a faster 5k, or just chasing the dream of feeling less like a stressed-out blob, remember: you’re winning at life just by showing up.

Now, go forth and sweat for greatness. Or at least for better selfies.