How to Use Social Media to Boost Your Workout (and Vice Versa!)

I am in no way, shape, or form a #FitMom. I don’t workout regularly (unless you count chasing after a toddler). My diet includes a lot of frozen pizza and cookies eaten in the closet because I’M NOT SHARING. My main problem is motivation and accountability. I’m going to try something new: An insta-workout or a tworkout, if you will. I’m hoping it will add a quick boost of motivation and give me something to be accountable to. Here’s how to use social media to boost your workout.

1. Decide which platforms you’re going to focus on.

You’ll have to make an assessment of which platform(s) you want to use for your social workout. You can do a mix of platforms or single out one. Do you want to do Instagram one day then Twitter the next day? Both at the same time? Take a look at how many daily likes/follows/clicks/shares you get on the platform of your choice. Map out the averages so you can get an idea of how many you’ll get per day.

2. Decide what type of workout you want.

Are you into crunches or running? Pilates or lap swimming? It’s best to choose something that has reps or measurements like distance. You can also mix this up too. Everything about the social media workout is customizable to whatever you’re comfortable doing!

3. Assign a workout to specific actions.

This is where you put the two together. Take your averages and match them up with about how many reps of your workout you’d like to do. If you’re lucky enough to get thousands of Instagram likes or retweets per day, you can bundle them into something like 10 likes = 1 push up. If you want to focus on new follows and maybe only get one per day, make that something bigger like 1 new follow = run/walk 1 mile. It’s a good idea to have at least two social actions that equal two different workouts. It increases your engagement and also your workout!

4. Tell everyone about it!

Here’s the important part. Make a specific post with your workout outline. Let everyone know how they can motivate you and send encouragement. You can promote cross platforms too. If you want to drive traffic to your Instagram from Facebook, make a Facebook post that says you’ll do 5 push ups for every new Instagram follow. Tell me about it too! Tag me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest!

5. Follow up and share your progress.

Make sure you actually do what you said you were going to do. Your friends and followers took the time to motivate you by liking, retweeting, following. Let them know you did it and thank them for their support