TOP TEN REASONS PEOPLE EXERCISE
Percent of participants of fitness activities age 18 and older who said the goal was “somewhat to very important”.
| Females | Males | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Improve self-esteem 76.2% | 10 | Time for self 75.3% |
| 9 | Enjoy exercise 77.9% | 9 | Keep flexibility 75.6% |
| 8 | Time for self 79.3% | 8 | Enjoy exercise 76.1% |
| 7 | Reduce stress 80.5% | 7 | Build strength 76.5% |
| 6 | (tie) Keep flexibility 81.3% | 6 | Build strength 76.5% |
| 5 | (tie) Cardiovascular benefits 81.3% | 5 | Feeling good after 81.7% |
| 4 | Muscle tone 84.3% | 4 | Weight control 81.8% |
| 3 | Increased energy 86.0% | 3 | Cardiovascular benefits 81.9% |
| 2 | Feeling good after 86.6% | 2 | Increased energy 83.0% |
| 1 | Most cited reason for exercise, females:”Weight control!” 87.5% | 1 | Most cited reason for exercise, males:”Muscle tone!” 84.7% |
| Source: Fitness Products Council/IHRSA/American Sports Data, Inc., Reprinted in SGMA’s “Tracking the fitness movement” reports.The American Institute of Reboundology, Inc. is a member of the SGMA (Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association). | |||
Top Ten Reasons People Do Not Exercise:
| 10 | Apathy! /”Don’t care to.” |
| 9 | Lack of understanding of the benefits/”Low priority.” |
| 8 | Embarrassment/Social discomfort |
| 7 | Injury/Health problems/Chronic physical discomfort |
| 6 | “Boredom!”/Lack of variety |
| 5 | Distance/Inconvenience |
| 4 | Expense of equipment, clothes, memberships |
| 3 | Discouraging/’Not enjoyable.”/Bad experience with delayed onset muscle soreness (“DOMS”) |
| 2 | No energy/’I’m too tired.”/Lack of discipline/”Too hard… there’s got to be an easier way!” |
| 1 | Number one excuse: “No time in my busy schedule!” |
| Source: The American Institute of Reboundology, Inc. Toll-Free 1-888-464-JUMP |
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