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 walking per week lowers the risk of 30 conditions? New study
In case you needed any more reasons to go walking
Man walking outside in the city wearing headphones

I enjoy walking my two little dogs around the neighborhood or to some of my favorite local parks and places. If I’m not listening to a podcast or music or chatting with a neighbor, I’m basking in the nature around me. The good news is that walking provides a range of proven health benefits, including promoting weight loss, body fat loss, and aerobic fitness, and reducing your risk of heart disease.

Interesting research reveals that for every 2,000 steps you walk, your risk of heart disease and cancer decreases by 10%, peaking at 10,000 daily steps. Walking and moving your muscles is natural and beneficial, and researchers also wanted to know how many minutes of walking per week would lower certain health risks. Let’s look at the research.

Read more
Researchers discover a walking hack to help you burn more calories as you stroll
This hot-off-the-press study reveals how to burn more calories just by walking
Man walking by a tree

Of course, losing weight and sculpting your physique involves a lot more than just calories. Even so, if you’re looking to shed a few pounds, burning calories with exercise can definitely help you along the way. Different types of exercise burn varying amounts of calories. Higher-intensity exercise like running, swimming, cycling, and high-intensity interval training or HIIT generally torches the most calories per hour. That being said, walking also burns calories and is more accessible for many people. In this hot-off-the-press study, researchers unveil a simple walking hack showing us we don’t need to break a serious sweat to burn more calories. Let’s delve into the research.

The study

Read more
Can you trust the data your fitness tracker is giving you? An expert weighs in
Here are the answers to your questions about fitness tracker data
Man wearing EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) suit while working out

When it comes to fitness trackers, few people have more expertise than Tim Rosa. As the former CMO of Fitbit, he researched the reliability of the data they provide constantly, both individually and in larger studies.
Given his expertise, Rosa felt like the right person to approach to learn more about the reliability of fitness tracker data. He’s also deeply involved in sleep research in his current role as CEO of Somnee, so we asked him a wide range of questions about fitness tracker reliability, how sleep-related wearables are becoming part of the information equation, and the evolving role of AI in this technology. The following is everything that Rosa shared with us.

The lowdown on fitness trackers

Read more