If you often feel like your intense workouts at the gym seem to last forever, you are not alone—and science may finally have an explanation. According to a new study published in the journal Brain and Behaviour and reported by The Guardian, pushing yourself hard during exercise can cause a “time warp” effect that makes your workout feel subjectively longer than it actually is. This finding could have important implications for anyone hoping to improve their fitness—or simply survive a particularly sweaty spin class—with researchers suggesting that our perception of time may be heavily influenced by the discomfort and effort of the activity itself (The Guardian).
For many Thais engaged in fitness trends ranging from HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) to weekend cycling challenges around Lumpini Park, the sense that time is stretching during hard effort is likely a common experience. This research matters not only for individual motivation but also for fitness professionals and physical educators designing programs that people can stick to. The team led by Professor Andrew Edwards at Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK recruited 33 healthy, physically active adults. The volunteers participated in a series of 4km cycling trials using exercise bikes, each session designed to test their perception of time under varying intensities and circumstances.
Before, during, and after each trial, participants were asked to estimate a 30-second period. Whether cycling alone, accompanied by a virtual avatar, or competing against a virtual opponent, the finding was the same: during intense cycling, volunteers consistently overestimated the passage of time by about 10%. As Edwards explained, “People perceive time as moving more slowly during exercise. This distortion may affect pacing and the enjoyment of physical activity.” In other words, the harder or more uncomfortable the activity feels, the more we focus on the present moment, which stretches our subjective sense of time.
Interestingly, the study found no significant difference in time perception whether participants were competing against an avatar or riding solo. This suggests that the physical and psychological intensity—rather than competition or distraction—is what drives the time-warp effect. Follow-up research by Edwards hinted that enjoyment and engagement might slightly offset the experience: professional footballers, for example, reported that time passed more quickly during skill-based football drills than treadmill running or video analysis—possibly because engaging exercises are less monotonous (The Guardian).
This phenomenon is not unique to cycling or even to exercise, echoing Einstein’s famous relativity analogy: “When you sit with a nice girl for two hours you think it’s only a minute, but when you sit on a hot stove for a minute you think it’s two hours.” In the context of exercise, the more we focus on our body’s signals—such as pain, fatigue, or discomfort—the more drawn-out time can feel. “Exercise, particularly hard exercise, increases focus on the body, creating a heightened awareness of each moment. That makes time feel like it’s dragging,” said Edwards.
Expert insights from related research back this up. Studies on exercise intensity and its effects on perception show that high exertion levels increase not just physical fatigue but also subjective ratings of exertion and pain (PubMed Study 1), and athletes often struggle most with repetitive or less stimulating workouts. Thai researchers and trainers may find these findings valuable as Thailand’s lifestyle-related health challenges grow and more people seek to increase their physical activity. For policy makers and educators, this study offers a new perspective on why some people find it hard to stick to a fitness regimen: if the workout “time” feels longer, motivation drops. Enhancing enjoyment or introducing distractions—like music, scenery, or group activities—may help counteract the time warp and boost adherence.
In the Thai context, the popularity of communal, music-driven activities like aerobics in city parks or high-spirited group Muay Thai classes may partially owe their success to this psychological quirk. Fun distractions or competitive camaraderie can make exercise feel less taxing, even when the body is working hard. As Dr. Anuwat Suwanmongkol, a well-known Thai sports physician, told Bangkok Post in a previous interview, “Motivation isn’t just about the benefits—it’s about enjoyment. When people enjoy themselves, they are less aware of the passage of time and keep coming back.”
Looking ahead, this research could inform new approaches to exercise programming, athletic coaching, and even rehabilitation. Making traditional Thai exercise routines more engaging—by integrating music, games, or virtual reality—might help people overcome the psychological barriers posed by intense physical activity. For school physical education programs, using playful competition or rotating activities can prevent students from feeling they are “enduring” endless drills.
For Thai readers, the practical take-away is clear: if your run on the treadmill feels twice as long as your actual time, know that your brain is partially responsible. To keep motivation high and workouts sustainable, experiment with distractions like upbeat music (เพลงมันส์ๆ), varied routines, or friendly group settings. And don’t forget the value of enjoyment—สนุกไว้ก่อน—to counter the time warp effect (Engoo Daily News, PsyPost).
As more research emerges (for example Wiley Online Library), the hope is that Thai trainers, schools, and health officials can shape programs that not only build physical health but also truly fit the Thai way of life—blending challenge with enjoyment, and fitness with fun. So next time your Zumba, run or cycling session feels endless, try changing things up: bring a friend, put on your favorite song, or choose a scenic route. You may just trick your brain into thinking time flies when you’re having fun.