Benefits of Swearing Loudly While Working Out at the Gym
Ever felt the urge to let a curse word fly during a heavy lift? It turns out you might be onto something big. There are actually benefits of swearing. And no, I’m not kidding!
In fact, research now confirms what many of us have felt instinctively in the gym. Swearing out loud during your workouts isn’t just for letting off steam, it’s a scientifically-backed tool for boosting your performance. I’m not kidding, a f*ckin study shows significant benefits of swearing.
As a certified strength coach with over two decades of experience, I’m here to break down the science behind this surprising advantage. We’ll explore exactly how a few choice words can unlock more strength and power, and how you can use this knowledge to your advantage during your next workout.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, changing your daily nutrition, or adding any supplements to your regimen.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Increased Performance: Research shows that swearing out loud can increase power output by up to 4.6% and grip strength by up to 8.2%.
- Pain Reduction: Swearing is linked to a state of hypoalgesia, which is a reduced sensitivity to pain. This allows you to push harder through difficult sets.
- Emotional Trigger: The benefits come from the emotional connection to the swear word, which activates the brain’s amygdala and can trigger a helpful fight-or-flight response.
- Be Mindful: While effective, always be aware of your gym’s rules and the people around you. A home gym or a more hardcore training facility might be a better place to try this.
The Science Behind Swearing and Strength
For a long time, we were taught that swearing was a sign of a limited vocabulary. Well, a team of researchers from Long Island University Brooklyn has given us the evidence to push back. Their work provides scientific proof for the benefits of swearing during exercise.
Their 2018 study, published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, found that letting loose with a swear word can directly increase your performance, strength, and power. The study was led by Dr. Richard Stephens, a leading expert in the psychology of swearing from Keele University.
The results are impressive.
- Participants saw a 4.6% increase in power output during a 30-second sprint on a stationary bike.
- They also demonstrated an 8.2% increase in isometric grip strength.
The researchers believe this happens because swearing helps people shut down their inhibitions and mask the effort and pain of a difficult task. It gives you a burst of force when you need it most. So next time someone tells you to watch your language, you can tell them to STFU, because science says so.
A Coach’s Perspective: Why Swearing Works
The findings of this study are fascinating, but from my experience as a coach, they also make perfect sense. When I work with athletes to get them pumped up for a maximal lift, we focus on tapping into a primal, aggressive state. Swearing is a shortcut to that mindset.
Think about it. You don’t get the same effect from yelling “flower” as you do from yelling “f*ck!” The emotional weight behind the swear word is what unlocks the power. Who would have thought there were benefits of swearing? I should probably go tell my wife the good news!
“Cursing may allow people to shut down their inhibitions and somewhat veil the effort and the pain of this really difficult task. Using swear words might be helpful in any circumstance where muscle strength and a sudden burst of force or speed, is required.”
— Study Researcher
This taps into a well-documented phenomenon called “hypoalgesia,” which is a reduced sensitivity to pain. A 2017 study, also from Dr. Stephens, found that one of the benefits of swearing is that it can increase pain tolerance. When you are less focused on the discomfort of a workout, you can push your physical limits further.
It triggers a part of your brain called the amygdala, the center for your emotions. This can kickstart an adrenaline response, giving you that immediate, powerful surge you feel when you get angry or fired up.
Benefits of Swearing During Training Sessions
Now, this doesn’t mean you should start screaming obscenities during every set. You still need to be mindful of your gym’s rules and the people around you. Planet Fitness, for example, is famous for its “Lunk Alarm” and strict rules against intimidating behavior, so dropping F-bombs there is a bad idea.
However, you can still use this research to your advantage. Here’s how to apply it.
- Save It for Max Efforts: Use this technique for your heaviest sets, like a one-rep max attempt or the final, grueling reps of a challenging set.
- Use It Under Your Breath: The study didn’t specify volume. Saying the word with force under your breath can still provide the mental trigger without disturbing others.
- Choose the Right Environment: If you train in a hardcore powerlifting or bodybuilding gym, loud grunts and the occasional swear word are often part of the culture. A home gym is also a perfect place to let it rip.
Try this for yourself and see how you feel. Do you feel more powerful and aggressive when you let a swear word slip? Your own experience is the best test. Personally, I’m here for the benefits of swearing!
FAQs About the Benefits of Swearing and Exercise
Does it matter what swear word I use?
Yes. The research suggests the benefit comes from words that have a strong emotional connection for you. A word you were taught not to say as a child often works best because it carries more emotional weight. A “neutral” curse word you invent, like “fouch,” was shown in studies to have no effect.
Will I get kicked out of my gym for swearing?
You might. Most commercial gyms have a code of conduct that prohibits loud or offensive language. It is always best to check your gym’s specific rules. For many, a quiet but forceful curse is enough to get the benefit without drawing attention.
Is swearing the only way to get this performance boost?
No, but it seems to be uniquely effective for pain tolerance. Other techniques like listening to aggressive music, visualization, or using ammonia inhalants (common in powerlifting) can also trigger an adrenaline response. Swearing is simply a free, built-in tool you always have access to.
Source:
Stephens R, Spierer DK, Katehis E. (2018). Effect of swearing on strength and power performance. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 35, 111-117. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1469029216301352
*Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links or ads, which means we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. These commissions help support the operation and maintenance of our website, allowing us to continue producing free valuable content. Your support is genuinely appreciated, whether you choose to use our links or not. Thank you for being a part of our community and enjoying our content.
PLEASE CONSIDER SHARING THIS ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA TO HELP OTHERS LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC.
