Top 40 excuses not to exercise revealed
Millions of adults have a ‘fairweather’ approach to fitness – with rain and cold temperatures among the top reasons for not taking regular exercise.
The top 40 excuses for not working out also include finishing work too late, already having other plans and being hungover.
Food clearly has an impact with one in 10 of the 2,000 adults polled admitting they’ve skipped exercise because they were too hungry and 16 per cent have done so because they’d only just eaten.
But for three in five, the weather makes a difference on their fitness routine with rain, cold temperatures, snow and it being dark all making the list.
The research, commissioned by Spatone, also found people are most likely to make an excuse to avoid exercise in the evening (35 per cent), while a fifth will put it off first thing in the morning.
The study also found more than half of Brits are likely to use an excuse when planning to exercise on their own.
But three in 10 admitted they have been known to bail on a planned workout with someone else.
Other popular excuses to avoid exercise include it not being ‘hair wash night’, needing new trainers and not having space to do so in their home.
Some have even used the excuse of their favourite TV show being on to get out of exercise.
However, on the flip side, things that would motivate people to workout were having nicer weather (39 per cent), more energy (35 per cent) and longer days (24 per cent).
During the typical week in summer 30 per cent of people exercise more than five times a week, but this dips to 23 per cent in winter.
Working out with someone else (21 per cent), upbeat music (21 per cent) and having an end goal (21 per cent) were also among the top encouragements.
But bailing on a workout leaves people feeling guilty (39 per cent), demotivated (27 per cent) and sluggish (24 per cent), according to the study carried out via OnePoll.
Says Julia Cameron-Wallace, Spatone brand manager:
“The research shows how many people regularly lack both energy and motivation to exercise. Busy days, social plans and work commitments can easily get in the way of workouts.
“It seems the weather has a big impact, hopefully with summer around the corner more people will feel motivated to exercise outdoors. We hope to give people the natural energy they need to put their trainers on and get moving.”
“If you’re feeling tired or fatigued, you might not be getting enough iron, a key nutrient required for natural energy and a healthy immune system.”
TOP 40 EXCUSES TO NOT EXERCISE:
1. You’re too tired
2. It’s raining
3. It’s too cold
4. You’ve got a cold
5. You’ve only just eaten
6. It’s too late in the day to exercise
7. You don’t have time during the working day
8. You’ve got sore muscles
9. You get bored of exercise
10. You finished work late
11. You’re planning to exercise tomorrow instead
12. It’s dark outside
13. You exercised yesterday
14. You’ve already got other plans
15. It’s snowing
16. You’re hungover
17. You’re having a rest week
18. You’re too hungry
19. You don’t want to exercise in public
20. You want an early night
21. You’ve got an early start tomorrow
22. You’re too stressed to exercise
23. You’ve already exercised this week
24. You can’t afford the gym/exercise class
25. You don’t have space to exercise in your home
26. Your favourite TV show is on
27. You won’t have time to shower after exercising
28. You don’t like exercising alone
29. You don’t want to eat late after exercising
30. You don’t have anybody to work out with
31. You’ve only just washed your hair
32. You haven’t seen any progress so far so what’s the point
33. You don’t want to get injured
34. You need new trainers
35. Your exercise clothes are in the wash
36. You don’t have suitable exercise equipment at home
37. You don’t have time around your social life
38. It’s not your hair wash night
39. It’s too busy outside e.g. too many cars on the roads to go for a run
40. You don’t have time around looking after your children
