What is Exercise Psychology?

Exercise psychology is the application of psychological principles in an exercise environment to increase enjoyment and motivation to exercise.  Exercise psychology can be used to increase an individual’s adherence to exercise, but also make exercise more motivating or enjoyable in group settings.

Who is Exercise Psychology for?

Anybody that exercises or wants to exercise regularly can use exercise psychology principles to help them to reach their exercise goals and make the experience more enjoyable.  Individuals looking for ways to fit exercise into their daily routine might seek consultation, and gyms and leisure centre might require advice on how to make their facilities and classes more appealing so as to increase membership and adherence.

Our Exercise Psychologist

Bryan McCann has experience of psychology and exercise.  He is a Scottish Karate Governing Body Level 2 Coach, and gained a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Glasgow Caledonian University.  He recently completed an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and is undertaking the final stage of training to become a British Psychological Society (BPS) chartered sport and exercise psychologist.

Our Exercise Psychology provision

The role of an exercise psychologist can vary, but some of the services we can offer include:

• Working with clients on a one-to-one and group basis to motivate them to take up exercise, increase their amount of exercise and incorporate exercise into everyday life.
• Assisting with marketing materials to enhance the attractiveness of physical activity related sessions at the centre.  Advising on marketing to make it specific for target groups, and to try and address current barriers to exercise.
• Assist in the development of exercise classes/courses/gym membership to potentially increase initial uptake and potentially improve retention. 
• Identify barriers and potential reasons for clients dropping out of sessions or not attending the gym regularly – especially those who have taken up a monthly contract – and suggest options to overcome these.
• Working within specific schemes in order to provide advice and support to clients about various ways of increasing their physical activity and motivating them to fit the use of the facilities into their day-to-day lives.  Also, to work with the scheme facilitators to improve client retention throughout the life of scheme.