What if I told you that the time you spend in the gym can help you maximize the amount you save for retirement? Consistently exercising and saving for retirement share underlying behavioral traits, including goal-setting, delayed gratification, and self-discipline. Exploring these parallels can offer insights into building better habits for physical and financial well-being.
Shared Behavioral Foundations
Physical fitness and financial planning are parallel journeys, both requiring long-term goal setting and consistent effort. For example, whether you aim to shed a few pounds before a vacation or save for a larger home as your family grows, success depends on creating a broad plan and adjusting the details as you progress. The most challenging step is often getting started, but once you do, the benefits compound. Practicing delayed gratification strengthens your ability to prioritize future rewards, making it easier to develop lasting habits. Over time, these small, incremental changes lead to significant outcomes—such as increased metabolic rate in fitness or the growth of wealth through compound interest. These benefits come together beautifully, enabling us to maximize energy and health as we age. This not only reduces medical expenses but also extends the freedom to travel and engage in activities during retirement, enhancing overall quality of life.
Psychological Benefits of Consistency
Consistency in exercise and financial saving offers psychological benefits that extend across both domains. Regular exercise helps build resilience by fostering mental toughness, a quality that directly translates to the discipline needed for financial planning and saving. Additionally, studies show that exercise reduces cortisol levels and improves cognitive function, leading to lower stress and more rational decision-making—critical factors in managing finances effectively. Furthermore, success in one area, such as achieving fitness goals, creates a positive feedback loop, boosting confidence and reinforcing habits that can be applied to other areas, like saving for the future. These interconnected benefits illustrate how consistency in one domain can enhance overall well-being and success in life. I’m excited to have partnered with Justin Merriman on this article, owner of FitLyfe Training. As a Physical Trainer with a Bachelors in Clinical Exercise Science from Grand Valley State University, he brings a unique perspective to the changes he sees in his clients’ healthy habits. If you’ve been thinking about working with a Physical Trainer feel free to schedule a meeting with him or follow him on Instagram @jman_merriman. Here’s his take on the matter.
Trainer’s Perspective
For most people, acquiring discipline can be quite the tall task. This typically comes when facing a goal we are not quite sure how to even begin working towards. With all the information out there in today’s world, some of which is very conflicting, it can be very hard to determine the “perfect route” to take. That is the thing though, trying to create a flawless routine is going to lead to trying many different extreme strategies that may not ‘fit’ into our lives, thus making it very hard to establish discipline. The key to creating a solid foundation of discipline is to make small changes in our lifestyle that we know will be sustainable. If it takes roughly 21-days for something to become a habit, all we need to do is act consistently on a very simple task for the course of that duration, and we can begin to build something very valuable. This is basically the brick & mortar process to set that foundation for building discipline. An example of a small task that can lead to a healthier lifestyle is finding a mode of exercise that you enjoy. This can be as simple as going for a walk through your neighborhood, swimming with your kids at the local pool, or going for a bike-ride. It doesn’t always have to be hitting a high-intensity workout at the gym. Once you find that mode of physical activity that you enjoy, then you build it into your routine on a regular basis. The more you do, the more you begin to enjoy the “doing.” This is where the discipline really solidifies. Eventually, you may start dabbling in other forms of exercise (weightlifting, group classes, yoga, etc), because of all the positive returns that you see and feel from that initial step you made. It’s a beautiful cycle.
Lessons From Research
Baumeister’s Strength Model of Self-Control gives us a great way to understand the connection between staying consistent with exercise and being disciplined with money. His research shows that self-control works like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. When you stick to a workout routine, you’re not just building physical strength, you’re training your ability to delay gratification and stay committed to long-term goals. That same discipline makes it easier to make smart financial decisions, like saving for retirement. The cool part? Building willpower in one area of life naturally spills over into others, proving that self-control isn’t just something you’re born with—it’s a skill you can develop and use to create lasting success.
Practical Tips to Cultivate Habits in both Domains
Just like tracking your finances, monitoring your body’s progress is key. Big goals are great, but success often comes from setting manageable benchmarks. For example, rather than jumping straight to 10,000 steps a day, start by adding 2,000–3,000 steps daily—about a 30-minute walk. Over a few weeks, gradually increase your activity. Small choices, like taking the stairs or parking farther away, add up and make movement a natural part of your lifestyle. A step-counter is just one way to track progress. Many apps can help monitor food intake, strength training, running, and more. Find a metric that works for you—it will keep you motivated and push you toward greater achievements. Like gradually increasing your step count, building financial stability starts with small, manageable steps—like creating a basic budget and contributing to your employer-sponsored retirement plan. As you progress and push your limits, consider fine-tuning your approach by analyzing your diet and seeking expert guidance. Whether in fitness or finance, a professional’s perspective can help you optimize your strategy, avoid costly mistakes, and accelerate your progress. Tracking and refining both your physical and financial habits will keep you on a sustainable path toward long-term success.
References:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228079571_The_Strength_Model_ of_Self-Control
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
