Americans Prefer Simple and Solo Exercise Habits

Americans opt for simple and short exercises, which they prefer doing solo, reports a survey conducted by Timex, a watch company.

The company conducted an online survey on exercise habits of Americans, which included around 75 percent of 1,200 adults belonging to the age group of 24 to 44 years. The survey concluded that 77 percent of these adults favored working out alone and they exercised at least once a week.

"If it's true, it's good news for the fitness industry," Dr. Walter Thompson, who studies exercise trends for the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), said to Reuters.

This survey also pointed out that running, weight lifting, biking, outdoor activities and hiking were the most liked exercise among these adults

Though the survey portrays a rosy image about the healthy routine of the American adults, Dr. Thompson feels otherwise, when this is looked from a broader perspective.

"The survey probably provides a 'useful snapshot' into the behaviors of the responding age group. Outside that group, 'it's a little dangerous'" Thompson stated.

When questioned in the last two weeks of August, about 61 percent of the people stated they did not get time to exercise in a gym as they didn't get enough free time because of their work timings. Only 27 percent of the participants admitted that they sliced out time for workouts from their daily schedule. Dr. Thomson pointed out that most people were likely to exaggerate.

"Ask people 'How much do you weigh? How tall are you? And I'm pretty sure most people will tell you they're taller," he said, reports  Reuters. "We know that among the general population about 20 percent exercise regularly, not say they do but do, and about, 80 percent don't exercise."

Around 29 percent of the participants said that they spent about half an hour to one hour and 18 percent of them stated they exercised for one to two hours.

"The 26 percent don't exercise because they don't think they can, it all depends on their self-efficacy," explained Gregory Chertok, a sport and exercise psychology consultant for Telos Sport Psychology Coaching in New York.

"When people doubt their ability to accomplish a task, when they don't feel competent, motivation plummets," Chertok said. "Conversely, adherence to an exercise routine skyrockets when people consider it non-negotiable".

Exercising in a gym could impact a lonely exerciser positively, Chertok explained.  

Chertok said even the anonymous closeness of a gym environment can have a positive effect on the lone exerciser. Studies have shown that peoples' happiness depends on the joy of people in physical proximity to them.

"The act of working out near or next to other health-minded gym goers can influence your own desire to be health-minded," he explained.

Experts believe that people are gaining more knowledge about exercise and they are getting more influenced about exercising with the help of social networks. People are going to adapt the habit of working out regularly with time.