Counting down

[susan p]

So I have heard it said that most people find it more motivating to count down than to count up when they are counting reps of exercises. IIRC, this is a psychological thing; people are more likely to finish a set if they feel they are getting closer to the end.

Certainly, it seems that most fitness instructors have bought into this because they almost universally count down their reps. I know I have heard only a handful of exceptions in many years of working out (Gilad is one that I can remember off-hand. He mostly counts one through eight and only counts down for the very last set if he does it at all.)

I, however, am the opposite. I LIKE to count up!! I feel all macho as the reps add up. When I am doing strength work without a dvd, I ALWAYS count up. I am not motivated by getting it over with; I am more motivated by seeing how much I can do!

So do you prefer to count down or to count up? Do you think it has to do with enjoying exercise vs. "getting it over with," or do you think it is just random preference??

[rhbrand]

I think it depends on how bad I'm dying lol.

If I'm doing ok, don't need a crash cart, I like counting up. I'm like you Susan, kind of makes me feel macho.

But if its a kick butt workout, and I think I need 911 called, I want a count down to let me know how much longer until I can get a break, or die lol.

[Gams]

I was just thinking about this the other day. I’m all about variety, including counting, so sometimes I count up, sometimes I count down, sometimes I count in Spanish, sometimes I’ll count by tens or by twos - I guess it’s my little way of entertaining myself.

[killoffsonny]

It never mattered to me as long as I know an end is in sight.

[Sandrine]

Fun thread, Susan p!
I usually count up (to 8) and then back down. Somehow I think that this makes it easier to remember how many sets I've done.

I like Gams' idea of different ways to count

Sandrjne

[txhsmom]

I'm a count down kind of girl (on the last set, anyway). But, the instructor needs to be able to count as well, and often they can't.

Carol

[MsThistlebottom]

Definitely counting UP, especially if I'm doing pyramid sets, which is my favorite!

[Lannette]

Great thread! I have a tendency to count down if what I’m doing is really challenging. For some reason that helps get me through to the end. My counting also tends to get louder as my final effort gets more difficult. Maybe I want the instructor to know that I’m really suffering?

[Non-Dancer]

I count up because I count better forward than I do backward.

Linda

[Mickey12]

I like to count up. Even when the instructor is counting down, I am still counting up in my head.

Kim