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Unlock This CourseHave you ever wondered why some people love going to the gym with friends whilst others prefer exercising alone? The answer often lies in something called "relatedness need" - one of the most powerful forces driving our motivation to exercise. Relatedness need is our basic human desire to feel connected to others, to belong and to experience meaningful relationships.
When it comes to exercise, relatedness need plays a huge role in whether we stick to our fitness goals or give up after a few weeks. Think about it - are you more likely to go for a run if your best mate is waiting for you, or if you're going alone? Most people find it much easier to stay motivated when they feel connected to others through their exercise activities.
Key Definitions:
Humans are naturally social creatures. We've evolved to work together, support each other and find strength in numbers. This same instinct applies to exercise - when we feel connected to others through physical activity, we're much more likely to enjoy it and keep doing it. Whether it's high-fiving teammates after a goal or sharing a laugh during a tough workout, these social moments make exercise feel rewarding beyond just the physical benefits.
Relatedness need influences our exercise motivation in several important ways. When this need is satisfied, we experience what psychologists call "intrinsic motivation" - we exercise because we genuinely enjoy it and find it meaningful. When relatedness need isn't met, we might rely on external pressures like guilt or appearance concerns, which are much less sustainable in the long term.
Research shows that relatedness need affects exercise motivation through three main pathways: emotional support, practical support and social identity. Let's explore each of these in detail.
This includes encouragement, empathy and understanding from others. When someone cheers you on during a difficult workout or listens to your fitness struggles, they're providing emotional support that makes exercise feel more worthwhile.
This involves tangible help like sharing transport to the gym, lending equipment, or teaching new skills. Having someone spot you during weightlifting or show you proper running form provides practical support that makes exercise safer and more effective.
This is about feeling like you belong to a group or community. When you identify as "a runner" or "part of the football team," exercise becomes part of who you are, not just something you do. This creates powerful motivation to maintain your exercise habits.
Parkrun is a brilliant example of relatedness need in action. Every Saturday morning, thousands of people gather in parks across the UK for free, timed 5km runs. What makes Parkrun special isn't just the running - it's the incredible sense of community. Regular participants often describe feeling part of a "Parkrun family" where everyone supports each other, regardless of fitness level. Volunteers cheer on runners, people celebrate personal bests together and newcomers are welcomed with open arms. This strong sense of belonging keeps people coming back week after week, with many participants saying they'd never maintained regular exercise before joining their local Parkrun community.
Understanding relatedness need is one thing, but how do we actually create environments where people feel connected and supported? Whether you're a PE teacher, sports coach, or just someone trying to help a friend get more active, there are specific strategies that work.
Creating a sense of belonging doesn't happen by accident. It requires intentional effort and the right approach. Here are some proven methods for building relatedness in exercise settings.
Active listening, positive feedback and inclusive language all help people feel valued and understood. Instead of just saying "good job," try specific praise like "I noticed how you kept encouraging your teammates even when you were tired - that really helped everyone push through."
Team challenges, partner exercises and group goals create natural opportunities for connection. Activities like relay races or group fitness classes where everyone works together towards a common objective build strong bonds between participants.
In today's digital world, technology plays an increasingly important role in satisfying relatedness needs around exercise. Fitness apps, social media and online communities can provide connection and support, even when we're exercising alone.
Apps like Strava allow runners and cyclists to share their activities, compete with friends and receive encouragement from their network. These platforms create virtual communities where people can feel connected to others who share their fitness interests, even if they're exercising solo.
Research in UK secondary schools has shown that students are much more likely to enjoy PE and continue exercising outside school when they feel a sense of belonging in their PE classes. One study followed Year 9 students and found that those who felt accepted by their classmates and supported by their teachers were three times more likely to join sports clubs or exercise regularly in their free time. The most successful PE programmes focused on creating inclusive environments where all students felt valued, regardless of their athletic ability. Simple changes like mixed-ability groups, peer mentoring and celebrating effort over achievement made huge differences in student motivation and participation.
Whilst relatedness can be a powerful motivator, there are also barriers that can prevent people from experiencing connection through exercise. Understanding these challenges helps us address them more effectively.
Several factors can interfere with people's ability to feel connected and supported in exercise settings. Recognising these barriers is the first step in overcoming them.
Fear of judgement or embarrassment can prevent people from joining group activities or asking for help. This is especially common in gym environments where people worry about looking inexperienced or unfit compared to others.
When groups become cliquey or unwelcoming to newcomers, it creates barriers to relatedness. This might happen in established sports teams or fitness classes where existing members don't make effort to include new people.
Busy schedules can make it difficult to participate in group activities or build relationships through exercise. When people only have time for quick, solo workouts, they miss opportunities for social connection.
Understanding relatedness need has important implications for how we design exercise programmes, structure sports teams and support people in their fitness journeys. The key is recognising that for many people, the social aspects of exercise are just as important as the physical benefits.
PE teachers and sports coaches can use relatedness principles to create more inclusive and motivating environments. This might involve using cooperative learning activities, peer teaching, or team-building exercises that help students feel connected to their classmates.
Personal trainers and gym instructors can foster relatedness by creating supportive atmospheres, encouraging interaction between clients and building genuine relationships with the people they work with. Small gestures like remembering names and personal goals can make a big difference.
The "This Girl Can" campaign launched by Sport England is an excellent example of addressing relatedness needs in exercise. The campaign specifically targeted women who felt excluded from traditional sports and fitness environments. By showcasing real women of all shapes, sizes and abilities enjoying physical activity together, the campaign helped create a sense of belonging and community. Local programmes inspired by the campaign focused on creating welcoming, non-judgmental spaces where women could exercise together and support each other. Follow-up research showed that participants in these programmes were much more likely to continue exercising regularly compared to those who tried to get fit on their own.
The research on relatedness need in exercise motivation shows us that humans are fundamentally social beings, even when it comes to physical activity. By understanding and addressing people's need for connection, belonging and support, we can create more effective and sustainable approaches to promoting exercise and physical activity. Whether through traditional team sports, modern fitness communities, or innovative digital platforms, the key is helping people feel that they're part of something bigger than themselves.