Skip to main content

Are embarrassment and intimidation obstacles to getting more exercise? New data

New data shows you're not alone if you've ever felt intimidation or embarassment at the gym.

Man leaning on barbell in gym workout home gym
Olly Man / Pexels

Even the most experienced gym buffs had to start somewhere, and most of them were intimidated and overwhelmed when stepping into the gym at some point in the past. What machine do you start with? What’s that machine for? A barrage of questions flutter through your mind when you embark on your journey to get fit. For many people, working out can seem exhausting before you even start, especially in the modern age of social media, where we often compare ourselves to idealistic snapshots of others. If you feel that way or have ever felt that way, this new data shows you’re definitely not alone. Let’s look at the data.

New data

Guy sitting on bench at gym holding water flask wearing black with white sneakers
Anastase Maragos / Unsplash

The new data from Nuffield Health’s Healthier Nation Index is eye-opening and involves a survey of 8,000 people in the United Kingdom. The goal is to help improve people’s health. 

Here are the results:

  • 40% of people said that gyms are too intimidating.
  • 33% of people haven’t dedicated any time to physical activity in the last 12 months.
  • Three out of four people weren’t reaching the British National Health Service guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week.
  • Over half of the people who aren’t moving enough reported low motivation as one of the main reasons behind the lack of exercise.
  • 49% of people reported a lack of energy.
Recommended Videos

Younger people and those with chronic conditions were more likely to face barriers to movement. Lots of younger people said that not knowing how to get started was the main reason for not getting enough exercise.

A decline in mental health

a man looking stressed by water
Nathan Cowley / Pexels

This new data showed that the lack of physical activity correlated with a negative impact on people’s mental health. 28% reported a decline in their mental health in the last year alone. Regular exercise is beneficial for physical and mental health. Physical activity has been shown to improve sleep and a range of psychiatric conditions. Research also highlights that exercise can reduce depression and anxiety and boost your mood. Going out for that run releases feel-good endorphins that can make your day better.

Tips to get started and diminish that intimidation

Man on treadmill with sleeveless shirt in gym
Olly / Pexels

Regular exercise can reduce your risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and stroke. Here are some top tips to help you get started with a workout plan and diminish intimidation:

  • Consider working with a personal trainer or physical therapist for guidance.
  • Consider joining an exercise class.
  • Find an accountability partner or a friend who is also starting a workout plan.
  • Try to set realistic goals.
  • Try to make it fun and stick to the workouts you prefer or enjoy.
  • Celebrate small wins.
  • Start slowly, and don’t do too much too soon.
  • Listen to your body.
  • Monitor your progress over time with a fitness tracker to help you stay motivated and see how much you’ve improved.
  • Remind yourself of the benefits of exercise and why you’re making this effort to improve your health and fitness.
  • See if you can find a time when the gym is less busy so you have more room to familiarize yourself with the equipment and your routine.
  • Start at home with remote personal training, an online class, or just a couple of dumbbells and a few exercises until you feel comfortable heading to the local gym.
Topics
Steph Green
Steph Green is a content writer specializing in healthcare, wellness, and nutrition. With over ten years of experience, she…
How many minutes of weekly aerobic exercise is needed for weight loss? New study
How much cardio do we need to power through every week to really drop those pounds?
People exercising man and women jumping jacks exercise class aerobics

Previous research shows that weekly aerobic exercise can help you lose weight. Does more weekly aerobic exercise result in more weight loss? How much cardio do we need to power through to really drop those pounds? I always figured that sweating more frequently for longer durations amplified weight loss. Recently, researchers reviewed 116 clinical trials to reveal how much aerobic exercise resulted in more significant reductions in body weight, body fat, and waist size. Let’s delve into the new research.
The study

In a recent review published in Jama Network Open, researchers wanted to explore how physical exercise affected weight loss, waist size, and body fat. The clinical trials included in the review reported data for 6,880 overweight or obese adults with a body mass index or BMI over 25. The review studies involved clinical trials with durations of at least eight weeks.
The results

Read more
New study explores how exercise affects the progression of cancer
Could exercising in the year before diagnosis lower the risk of disease progression?
man doing jump rope black and white pic gym exercise

Research has shown that exercise lowers the risk of a range of diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. Mounting studies show us the many benefits of exercise, from improving mood and blood pressure to enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness. Recently, researchers wanted to understand how exercise affects the progression of cancer. Previous research reveals that physical activity can help lower the risk of cancer-related mortality. Still, more conclusive evidence is needed on the role physical activity can play in disease progression. Let’s look at the study.
The study

In a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers analyzed data from the Discovery Health Medical Scheme or DHMS, which is the most extensive open medical plan in South Africa associated with the Vitality Health Promotion Program. 28,248 Vitality Health Promotion Program Members with stage I cancers were included in the study, spanning from 2007 to 2022. 44% of the study total involved breast and prostate cancers. The duration between the first cancer diagnosis, disease progression, mortality, or exiting from the study varied from one month to almost 13 years. 

Read more
How to lose visceral fat for improved health: These tips will get you started
Learn all the exercise and nutrition tips
Man with overweight and big fat belly in jeans and shirt

Visceral fat, the deep belly fat surrounding your abdominal organs, can significantly impact your health if left unchecked. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which sits under the skin, visceral fat is linked to serious conditions like type 2 diabetes, inflammation, and heart disease, the leading cause of death.

As a trainer and nutritionist, I have worked with many clients who are concerned about visceral fat. The good news is that you can lower visceral fat by implementing targeted strategies that improve overall health. Below, we’ve outlined everything from how to measure to how to lose visceral fat. Continue reading to learn more!
What is visceral fat?

Read more