Although you can use fitness trackers and set up fitness apps to get a reminder, in this article, we will show you how to set up Windows to make you go to the gym.
1. Schedule the Wallpaper on Windows PC to Change During Gym Time
We can’t deny the influence of visuals on our decisions and actions. Therefore, the first way you can use your Windows PC to get gym motivation is to set the wallpaper to change during gym time. In this way, the moment you glance at such wallpaper, you will feel compelled to go to the gym right away.
While you can use various third-party apps to change your wallpaper at gym time, we will demonstrate how to do it using Wallpaper Change Scheduler. To do so, follow the below steps:
Go to the FutureSight website, and click the Download button. Upon downloading, launch the application. Click on Add Event. Choose Daily from the Trigger dropdown menu. Choose the time when you would like the wallpaper to change automatically. Select the image you want to set as your wallpaper by clicking Browse. Click the Create button.
When this event executes, the wallpaper will be changed to help entice you to leave your computer and head for the gym. However, once triggered, the wallpaper would remain the same. Therefore, create another event after half an hour of gym time so that once you’re back from the gym, your wallpaper will turn back to its original state.
Download: Wallpaper Change Scheduler for Windows (Free)
2. Schedule an Auto-Shutdown
Our busy schedules are the most common reason we compromise our health. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when working on a project with a tight deadline looming over your head - overlooking going to the gym in the meantime.
You can schedule an auto-shutdown in Windows to avoid missing your gym time and not let your work dictate your decision. Scheduling a shutdown for the first time? We have a guide explaining how to schedule an auto-shutdown in Windows.
Despite the convenience of this method, you run the risk of losing unsaved work when the time comes. If that’s a concern for you, you can opt out.
3. Use the Help of Your Loved Ones
With the help of a loved one, you can use another trick to make yourself go to the gym. Simply ask a family member to change the password on the login screen without notifying you, and set up auto-locking or auto-shutdown as necessary during gym hours.
Since your family members have been instructed only to let you know the password when you hit the gym, you will not have a choice but to do so. This method is effective, but you will need to be disciplined and not turn to other workarounds to log in. If you have difficulty leaving your computer during exercise hours, this tip will help.
Follow the below steps to create an auto-lock schedule:
Open the Task Scheduler app by typing “Task Scheduler” in the Windows search bar. In the right-hand pane, click on Create Task… Name your task, such as “Scheduling an Auto-Lock”. Click on the New. . . button under the Triggers tab. Select On a schedule from the Begin the task menu. Set the schedule to repeat daily, choose the time, and click OK. Click on the New. . . button under the Actions tab. Type “%windir%/System32/rundll32. exe” in the Program/script box. Enter “user32. dll, LockWorkStation” in the Add arguments (optional) box. Hit Ok.
That’s it. As the scheduled time approaches, the Task Scheduler will automatically lock the user screen, forcing you to hit the gym before continuing your work on your projects.
4. Schedule Your Favorite Music to Play During Gym Time
A study published on Researchgate found that music can influence people’s decision-making process. In light of that research, if you schedule your favorite music to be played during gym time, it may act as an engaging stimulus that motivates you to work out.
Here is how you can play music audio at a specific time of day using the Task Scheduler:
Open the Task Scheduler app by typing “Task Scheduler. " Click on Create Task in the right-hand pane. Name your task in the General tab. Click on the New button under the Triggers tab. Choose the On a schedule option in the Begin the task dropdown menu. Decide on the repetition frequency and time. Click on the New. . . button under the Actions tab. Make sure Start a program is selected in the Action dropdown, click Browse. . . , select the music file you want to play, and click OK.
That’s it. As the set time approaches, the music plays itself and forces you to head to the gym with your headphones on.
Note: Your music file should be in WAV format. If it isn’t, you should use an audio converter to make it a WAV file.
5. Let Cortana Remind You
While the first four methods should convince you to go to the gym, if you rather don’t go to the gym simply because you forget to check the time, you can ask Cortana to remind you.
You can set a reminder using Cortana by following these steps:
Search for “Cortana” in the Windows search bar and open it. Say, “Hey Cortana, remind me to work out. " When asked about the time, specify what time you prefer and how often it should occur, for example, “at 7:00 PM every day”.
That’s it. Once it is set, Cortana will remind you to go to the gym when the time approaches.
Don’t Miss a Gym Day Again
By implementing the tips above, you can set up your Windows PC to force you to leave your office and head to the gym. Take advantage of these tips to never miss a gym day ever again.
Just as you’ve set up your computer for the gym, you can set up your whole workspace smartly. Make the most of little tricks to save some office time for the gym, and don’t compromise your health.
