If you have ever wondered how your exercise regimen stacks up against what other people are doing, you will likely find statistics about exercising quite interesting. The statistics reveal something most people already know: people don't get enough daily activity.
Frequency and Type of Exercise
With so many great options available to exercisers, it's no wonder the statistics about what people are doing for activities are broad.
Participation Rates
Daily exercise participation rates have increased over the last few years by nearly 4% says the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, and this was across all age groups. Residents of Western states are more likely to participate in sports and exercise, and the higher a person's educational level, the higher their likelihood of exercising daily.
Scheduled Exercise
Statistically, you are most likely to work out on a Tuesday as this is the most popular day to workout. The most popular workout is strength training, but treadmill group fitness classes have increased in popularity by 82%.
The CrossFit Phenomenon
It's difficult to discuss current exercise trends without mentioning CrossFit, a high-intensity workout that significantly changed the group fitness game.
- CrossFit has more than 13,000 gyms worldwide and around 4 million people who participate.
- The annual CrossFit games only feature the top 35 men and 35 women from around the globe.
- While 50,000 people initially try out for the games, around 99.9% don't make it to the top.
Inactivity and Inadequate Activity
The majority of people simply don't set time aside to exercise.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that more than 80 million Americans fall into the category of "inactive."
- Fewer than 5% of adults in the United States exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Around 80% of Americans fail to meet guidelines for both aerobic and resistance training.
Sticking With It
Eighty percent of people who join a gym as a new year's resolution quit within five months, reported Credit Monkey.
- The average gym membership costs around $60 a month and there are around 153,000 gyms across the United States.
- Nearly half of regular exercisers exercise with someone else.
- The number of people who go to the gym and use a personal trainer there is around 12%.
What Exercise Does
Exercise can help make you fit and increase your quality of life. Statistics don't lie - you should fit exercising into your schedule.
Exercise and Mood
The American Psychological Association states it takes around 5 minutes of moderate exercise to boost mood. Fifty-three percent of adults say they feel good when they exercise and 30% say they feel less stressed after exercising.
Medical Benefits
Regular exercise reduces your chances of early death by around 30% and also reduces your chances of illnesses like stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, and heart disease, says NHS.
Corporate Wellness
A comprehensive corporate wellness program that includes exercise opportunities can actually save employers money. For every $1 spend on wellness programs, around $3 is saved in costs related to health care. Employees who don't exercise are 50% more likely to show up to work sick (despite the fact that they may be contagious and won't be productive) than those who do exercise.
Statistically Significant
The many benefits of exercise aren't just about feeling good - statistics reveal that exercising is good for your health, mood, and overall wellness. It's simply a fact that regular activity is beneficial.
