The science behind motivation and why pole dancing is just easier to stick to
- Mar 26
- 6 min read
Updated: May 20
If you have ever been curious about why some things are way easier to get done than others… well, same.
So I researched it... and now this blog exists.
Let's talk about the science behind motivation.
And also why pole dancing, for some, is WAAAAYYYYY easier to stick to compared to most other fitness activities.
I have linked the studies that I read & referenced for this blog at the end. 🤓
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Humans are a curious bunch - we have a tendency to be driven by learning, mastering new skills and applying our talents.
Most people, at their core, are inquisitive and seek out personal growth - so you could logically conclude that this tendency is rooted deeply in human nature.
Nice. Good job us. 🤟
However, humans can also end up leaning in the other direction, one where growth gets rejected. And that rejection has led to, as researchers put, millions of people who have become a bit… disengaged.
The Motivation Question
Motivation is not one singular thing, it’s actually a pretty complicated concept with a lot of nuance. Different people can be motivated by different things. There are different types of motivation. Cultures can have an impact. Internal vs external pressure.
“My friend is giving me 10 bucks if I go to the gym, I should go” (external reward)
vs
“I want to attempt that trick again, I’m want to go to the studio” (internal challenge)
Both are motivations - but your brain processes them very differently.
Now here’s the important bit: when someone who is authentically motivated by internal reasons - by real interest, excitement or confidence - they are much more likely to be persistent in that activity.
And that's because we have two main types of motivation.
Intrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation is the tendency to seek out novelty and challenges, to explore, learn and grow. To pursue things we genuinely enjoy, find interesting or gain satisfaction through.
Even from babies we show intrinsic motivation - we’re active, inquisitive, curious and playful. We are naturally driven to seek out novelty and challenge.
Simply put - we’re really good at doing the thing because we want to do the thing.
It’s essentially an evolutionary trait.
But… even if intrinsic motivation comes naturally to us, we still need supportive conditions for that motivation to really thrive.
We can still be interrupted by the wrong environment.
What are these supportive conditions?
Feedback, communication and rewards that encourage you
Challenges with positive, encouraging feedback (rather than negative feedback)
Feeling competent alongside a feeling of autonomy - you are doing it because you want to
Having a space that feels safe to explore, where the social setting is positive and encouraging
For intrinsic motivation you need to be intrinsically interested in the activity. There needs to be genuine interest because it holds novelty, or a challenge - something you want to do because you enjoy the activity itself.
Intrinsic interest can appear when there was none initially, too. You may try something a few times and realise you LOVE it - bam, welcome to intrinsic motivation.
Easier-mode.
But if those principles still don’t apply even after, then a different type of motivation will be at play (more on that soon).
Full disclosure - when I first started planning this blog I didn’t actually know all of these details. I had a very broad understanding of the concept of “motivation”.
With this new knowledge… wow.
From my own experience with pole dancing, to all our long-time members and instructors. We’re all so enthusiastically committed to pole… because, for us, it’s the perfect intrinsic motivator. It's now all so clear why everyone is so passionate about something they may have only started for the fitness.
And that’s why pole dancing feels so different compared to say… the gym.
Here’s how I see those supportive conditions showing up at Altitude
From your very first class you are guided, nurtured, supported and encouraged. We believe toxic motivation is just that - toxic - so you will never hear any of those lame-ass fitspo quotes you see floating around in the fitness space. There is a reason why so many instructors end up with the title “Pole mum.” 🫰
Pole dancing is all about skills - so there is an abundance of challenge at all times and you’re always getting better at them. It also feels REALLY f*cking good when you nail a trick you've been working on for a while.
Pole dancers seriously LOVE to cheer - every win, every almost-got-it. It’s not unusual to hear a whole class erupt with cheering when someone nails move they've been working on. We love seeing people win.
The classes we run may be on our timetable, but you own your journey. You can choose which direction you head. That means your goal doesn’t need to be “get to the most advanced level” - maybe you want to learn how to dance in heels, get really flexible, or deadlift your body into every move you can. We just teach you how to get to where you want to go.
Because we know pole dancing can feel intimidating to start we actually put a lot of effort into making sure everyone feels safe to explore, learn, fail and succeed.
Pole dancing is also a social sport. Yeah, you’re working on moves at your own pole - but there’s always time for a giggle when you go upside down and forget which leg goes where. You’re finding connection with new people who are in love with the same activity as you.
For a lot of people - pole dancing is easier because we’re intrinsically interested. It’s novel, it involves challenges, and, well, it looks cool AF.
You attend because you’re excited to learn.
And then on top of that - over time you gain things like increased strength and confidence, a community. You get to experience yourself growing not only in your pole dancing skills, but in so many other areas, too.
So - if you have an intrinsic interest that’s also wrapped up in all of the goodness that supports that type of motivation to thrive… what do you get?
Something that is scientifically more likely to help you stick with.
Extrinsic Motivation
So, if intrinsic motivation involves genuine interest… what happens when you aren’t interested in the activity but you want the outcome it brings? Or someone else wants the outcome it brings?
That’s extrinsic motivation.
For many (but not everyone), this is where more traditional workouts sit - me included.
You’re going to the gym because you want to get strong or fit, not because you enjoy being at the gym.
This type of motivation is… tricky and complicated. It shows up very differently person to person, situation to situation, reason to reason. There’s different factors like external pressure, internal pressure, whether you value it or not.
Regardless - this type of motivation involves more effort than intrinsic motivation.
For the most self-determined version of extrinsic motivation (aka the one that involves the least amount of effort from you) you need to “take in” the value of the activity and essentially… wire it into your sense of self. Have it become personally important to you, so that you choose to continue.
(wow my entire fitness journey is really making sense right now)
If it's wrapped up in a positive social environment that encourages autonomy - that’s even better.
But it’s all much easier said than done - sometimes your brain doesn't want to play ball.
Especially if the results you’re looking for are slow to appear.
That's when motivation gets... harder.
So what does this all mean?
I'm not saying extrinsic motivation is bad - it's a very important part of our lives. I'm so thankful we have the capacity for extrinsic motivation.
Because it helps us study at school knowing that boring topic will lead to a career.
And then we use it again to get through a boring project at work so we can be compensated with our paycheck (and hopefully praise from our boss).
It's the motivation to go to the doctors, brush our teeth, do chores, rehab an injury.
We need extrinsic motivation.
It just costs us more effort than intrinsic motivation.
We have a finite amount of energy, a finite amount of willpower. When life gets hectic and more of your energy and willpower is required for important life responsibilities... well, no wonder workouts can feel harder to stay consistent with.
That's not a fault of you personally. That's just how humans are, ya know?
If you can find a workout you genuinely enjoy - one that brings you challenge, progress, novelty AND has an environment that fosters motivation… well, you have found a winning combo.
Literal brain science says you're far more likely to keep showing up.
You'll want to show up.
And maybe one day you'll be wondering why you didn't try something new and novel sooner ;)
REFERENCE MATERIAL
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