Why Don’t You Exercise Regularly?

Apparently, the reasons depend largely on whether you are overweight or not.  It’s been estimated that less than one in 3 of US people trying to lose weight exercise for at least 300 minutes a week – the guideline lad down by the NIH (National Institutes of Health).  Researchers at George Washington University Medical Center used a survey to examine overweight peoples’ attitudes to exercise at health clubs in comparison with those of normal weight.  Their findings are published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.  The survey covered some 15,500 men and women; roughly 1,000 were classified as overweight.   

The overweight subjects believed that exercise improved appearance and self image more than normal weight persons.  However, the overweight felt more embarrassed and intimidated by exercising, especially around young and/or fit people.  The two categories felt the same way about exercising with the opposite sex, complicated equipment, exercise boredom, and their intention to exercise.  Overweight female Caucasians were more embarrassed about exercising than other people. 

What’s important in this survey was the finding that overweight and normal weight people didn’t differ in their overall attitude towards exercising at a health club.  However, the overweight – especially women and Caucasians – were more likely to be embarrassed and have a low intention of using the club.  It’s important, therefore, for health club professionals to help overweight people feel more comfortable and to minimize any intimidating aspects of the exercise environment; and normal weight customers should be more friendly and welcoming, too.