Paradoxically, although an active lifestyle is becoming increasingly visible on city streets, according to the Statistics Department, 4 out of 10 Lithuanian residents do not engage in physical activity or do so very rarely. A large portion of those who exercise in sports clubs give up their membership within 3–6 months, and it is precisely during this period that habits are formed.
Read more A great trick when boiling potatoes: add a teaspoon of this product and they will soften instantly
According to Olympic runner Eglė Balčiūnaitė, founder of the capital’s movement “Spicy Drills” that unites active Vilnius residents, the problem often lies not in the lack of sports infrastructure or motivation – “people find it difficult to turn movement into a long-term habit.”
The biggest problem is not motivation
According to Eglė Balčiūnaitė, many people mistakenly believe that the biggest obstacle to a more active lifestyle is a lack of motivation.
“We often think that people lack motivation to exercise. However, much more often they lack an environment where movement would become a natural part of life. We work intensively, are constantly in an information flow, so for quite a few people, sports become just another additional task rather than a way to regain energy. This becomes especially obvious when an inappropriate load is chosen – often it only increases stress and does not solve the problem,” says E. Balčiūnaitė.
When asked what busy, hard-working city dwellers are looking for in sports today, she says she has noticed that people seek to feel better, have more energy, and clarity in everyday life.
“I notice that more and more people no longer want to exercise alone. When you find a place that allows you to meet like-minded people, establish valuable connections, absorb good energy, and at least briefly step away from everyday worries, sports become not just another duty in the schedule but a motivational factor that helps maintain consistency even when you are the busiest person,” shared the Olympian at the “AMPÈRA x Spicy Drills” movement event by the White Bridge, which will invite active Vilnius residents to free workouts by the Neris River until mid-September.
Sports and business – more in common than it seems
“For me, sports are an opportunity to reset my mind. Often the best ideas come not at the computer, but in the gym, on the tennis court, while running, or just walking. After an intense workday, passive rest does not help regain energy, but movement helps disconnect from investment issues and return home feeling completely different,” said Deividas Urbanovičius, representative of the investment platform “InRento,” at the event.
Read more Vilnius will be painted purple: «Gogol Bordello» European tour begins in Lithuania
According to D. Urbanovičius, both in sports and business, the most important thing is not isolated breakthroughs but consistency, and the greatest motivation is progress.
“Results rarely come from one big sprint. They are created by daily small decisions. The same applies to maintaining physical fitness and professional growth. You can learn many things theoretically, listen to speakers, but you can only achieve sports results when you actually take action. The same goes for business. The best motivation is progress. When you see that after six months you feel better than yesterday, you no longer want to go back.”
According to D. Urbanovičius, sports become a way to maintain business relationships: “More and more connections are made while exercising. I think this is a very healthy trend – you move together, communicate, are accompanied by good emotions, and at the same time take care not only of business matters but also of yourself. It is easier to have sincere conversations while exercising. In such situations, people reveal themselves differently than in official meetings.”
The city is shaped by people’s habits
According to Olympian E. Balčiūnaitė, movement today helps to find what is most lacking in modern life – energy, live communication, and a sense of community. This trend is widely seen not only in Lithuania – active leisure events are rapidly gaining popularity worldwide, united not only by sports but also by the desire to create mutual connections.
“Sports have always been about people and the connections they create. This is how personalities grow and strengthen, those who have the courage to create and are not afraid to make mistakes. When a workout becomes a place where you can meet like-minded people, share ideas, or just have a good time, it takes on a completely different meaning. That is what we aim for in our events,” shared E. Balčiūnaitė.
“Spicy Drills” and real estate developer “DOMÉ,” developing the mixed-use AMPÈRA project near the Neris riverbank, will hold movement events in Vilnius until September 16, according to a press release. During these events, free full-body workouts will be organized, and in September – a grand closing event. Event partners: Brite, Arimex, L‘Occitane, SipSap, SuperGarden, Akvilė water.
