The Good Kind of Smug
“Smug” isn’t usually a compliment. It makes you think of someone bragging, showing off, or looking down their nose. But at Real Good Fitness, we believe there’s one type of smugness that’s not only acceptable — it’s encouraged.
We’re talking about post-workout smug.
The kind you earn by dragging yourself out of bed on a cold morning, lacing up when the rain’s coming sideways, or pushing through a session when you could have easily talked yourself out of it.
That’s the good kind of smug.
Why Smugness Gets a Bad Rap
In most cases, smugness implies arrogance — that “I’m better than you” attitude nobody enjoys. But the smugness that comes after a workout isn’t about anyone else.
It’s about you.
It’s the quiet, private pride of knowing you did the hard thing. You didn’t let excuses win. You showed up, you moved your body, and now you get to enjoy the mood boost, the energy, and the sense of achievement that follows.
The Science Behind the Smug
There’s a reason post-workout smug feels so good.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins and serotonin, improving your mood and reducing stress. You literally feel happier and more energised.
Pair that with increased self-efficacy — the psychological belief that you can do what you set your mind to — and you’ve got a powerful formula for that post-session glow.
And when your training happens outdoors?
That effect only gets stronger.
Research consistently shows that outdoor exercise:
boosts oxygen intake
improves mental clarity
reduces tension and anxiety
increases feelings of wellbeing
Even on a damp, grey day, you walk away clearer, calmer, and just a little bit more pleased with yourself.
Smug in the Storm
Let’s be honest — the smug factor goes up a notch when the weather’s bad.
There’s something deeply satisfying about finishing a session with raindrops still on your face, knowing that most people didn’t even make it off the sofa.
But it’s not about being better than anyone else.
It’s about proving something to yourself.
If you can train in the wind, the drizzle, or the cold, suddenly everything else in your day feels more manageable — work stress, family chaos, personal challenges. You’ve already done the hard thing.
Shared Smugness
Here’s where the RGF community really shines.
That post-workout smugness multiplies when you share it with others. Standing in the park with seven or eight people who just pushed through the same kettlebell snatches, pull-ups, and sprints… it creates a feeling of camaraderie you just don’t get indoors.
We laugh about the weather.
We celebrate the small wins.
We walk away with that same collective smug grin.
It’s not competition —
It’s community.
Own Your Smug
So the next time you finish a session, don’t hide the smug.
Own it.
That glow you feel isn’t arrogance — it’s the reward you earned for showing up, moving well, and doing something good for your body and mind.
It’s the kind of smug that says:
“I chose to invest in myself today.”
And trust us — that’s the best kind of smug there is.