Exercise is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle. It keeps your muscles, bones, heart and lungs healthy and can even improve your mood and thinking. But many Americans use every excuse in the book to skip or postpone their workouts. The results of a new survey show that over half of Americans are not meeting recommended exercise guidelines. The top reasons for not exercising include:
Lack of Time
For those who regularly exercise, they know that it’s a key component to a long and healthy life. But, for those who don’t, finding the time can be a challenge. In fact, our survey found that 48% of respondents say they are too busy to exercise at all!
This is not surprising. We all have a limited amount of time in a day, and many people struggle to find time for everything they need to do. However, this is not an excuse to not exercise. In fact, research has shown that even a small amount of physical activity can significantly improve your health and increase your quality of life.
In order to make exercising a priority, try breaking up your workouts into 10 minute sessions throughout the day. This might include taking the stairs at work, walking on your lunch break, or working out for 15 minutes before or after dinner. Ultimately, the most important thing is to make fitness a priority in your life, and commit to it.
While our survey found that the majority of Americans believe that they should exercise, only 18 percent of respondents belong to a health club. Furthermore, the younger age groups are more likely to report never exercising, whereas those in retirement are more likely to exercise regularly. This may be a result of lack of financial support, or the fact that younger people have more responsibilities to tend to in their daily lives.
Exercising Is Too Boring
It’s no secret that many people find exercise to be boring. This can be due to a lack of fun, repetitiveness or the feeling that exercise is just too hard. It’s important to remember that exercise should leave you feeling energized, so if it feels like a chore then it may be time for a change.
For example, if you enjoy dancing then consider signing up for a dance class. Alternatively, you could go hiking with friends or play a sport that you love. Exercise doesn’t have to be done in a gym or on a treadmill and can be as simple as walking the dog, playing catch with the kids, riding a bike or taking part in a group exercise class.
Another common reason people avoid exercising is a feeling that it doesn’t matter. This can be because they don’t feel that their fitness level is improving or that the results of their efforts are worthwhile. However, it’s worth remembering that even small improvements in body weight and overall health can have a huge impact on our quality of life. See the difference here.
For instance, if you are overweight and obese then the risks of developing diabetes or heart disease significantly increase. Similarly, if you are struggling with chronic illness, exercise can help reduce your symptoms and improve your mood.
Exercise Is Too Expensive
For most Americans, the cost of exercise is more than they’re willing to pay. And yet it’s also more than they’re saving by not working out. Scientists have long known that sedentary people tend to spend more on health care than those who are physically fit because they’re much more likely to develop chronic illnesses like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. These illnesses are costly to treat, and the related costs — time off work, insurance claims, health care billings — can quickly add up.
A recent survey from fitness app maker Freeletics aimed to discover the most common reasons Americans don’t exercise, and found that 42 percent of respondents listed “not having enough time” as their top reason for skipping workouts. Over half of those surveyed said that by the time they finish their eight-hour workday, they are too tired and drained to even think about heading to the gym for a jog or weightlifting session.
That’s a shame because the pros of a regular exercise regimen are numerous and far-reaching, and are especially important for those at the lowest socioeconomic levels. Sadly, only about half of American adults are meeting the CDC’s Physical Activity Guidelines, which recommend at least 150 weekly minutes of moderate intensity exercise (think brisk walking) and two sessions of muscle-strengthening activities.
Exercise Is Too Challenging
It’s easy to understand why some people aren’t as physically active as they should be. Obviously, physical limitations are a factor for some, but modern life also has its own obstacles to getting enough exercise. Long, sedentary work days can leave Americans feeling too drained to go for a run or lift weights at the gym. And low- and medium-income communities are often less likely to have sidewalks, parks, community centers, and sports fields than wealthier neighborhoods.
Still, it’s disappointing to learn that even for those who do have the time and money, exercising can be a struggle. Especially considering the many benefits that come from working out.
A new survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of fitness app creator Freeletics, set out to discover what obstacles Americans faced when it came to exercising. It turns out that while many people have the best of intentions, they simply don’t enjoy exercise as much as they should.
Of those who didn’t meet government health guidelines for exercise, the biggest reason was that they simply did not find exercise convenient. This could mean that their workouts conflicted with other activities they prioritize, or that they found it difficult to find time for their favorite activity. Other excuses included the weather, being too tired, or just not enjoying the exercise itself.
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