Finding motivation to hit the gym can be tough, but here's another incentive: a bigger paycheck.

A study in the June issue of the Journal of Labor Research shows that employees who exercise regularly earn 9 percent more than employees who don't.

Researcher Vasilios Kosteas of Cleveland State University scored subjects on how they compared to a regular exerciser. The study defined "regular exercise" as working out at least three hours a week.

Kosteas compared similar individuals and found that the ones who worked out earned more money at work.

So, think about that next time you're having trouble going on that run.

 

TIME