Anyone who has gone for a bushwalk lately won’t be surprised by this new story.
Weight loss is no longer the reason Australians are choosing to exercise, according to new research from sports performance brand, ASICS.
The study of over 1,000 Australians found that exercising for mental health is now the primary reason people move their bodies (28%) compared to five years ago when the main motivator was for weight loss (17%).
With movement a key driver for improved mental wellbeing, ASICS commissioned the nationally representative study in the lead up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to better understand the motivations of Australians when it came to exercise.
As part of the study, Australians were asked to compare their motivations for exercise today, versus five years ago, revealing that a desire to improve fitness levels (23%) and general physical health, including muscle, bone, and heart health (18%) were the secondary drivers for lacing up, with almost half of Australians now focused on their mental wellbeing above all else (40%).
On this shift, psychologist and ASICS ambassador, Meg McClerg says, “The tides are turning, and people are exercising because they love the benefits movement brings them, not because of the shame and guilt associated with what they ate last night, or a dress they feel they need to fit into.
“Exercise is a proven way to manage the stress of life’s demands and is one of the top tactics recommended by health professionals to improve mental wellbeing, so it’s great to see that this message is starting to resonate, and people are understanding that being active is a powerful tool to feeling your best,” she said.
No matter what the motivation to move is, Meg acknowledges that the hurdle to getting started is often the biggest barrier for many, “It’s common to set yourself up to fail unknowingly, so I always recommend the following tips to set yourself up for success to achieve both the physical and mental benefits of exercise.”
Meg recommends to:
- Take time to self-reflect. Start off by considering the reason you haven’t started your exercise journey. Is it a lack of time, money or motivation? Maybe you struggle with mental health, or have a lack of confidence? Often there is something else that needs to be addressed to allow you to prioritise movement. Understanding this, and dealing with an underlying root barrier, is critical to making a positive change.
- Build a support team. Whether these are family or friends also looking to make a positive change or simply a personal trainer to hold you accountable, finding ways to keep your goals and intentions front of mind is an easy way to maintain consistency and feel the benefits of movement.
- Move in a way that feels good for you. There is a commonly perceived idea that you must be doing the “right” type of exercise at the right intensity and frequency for it to be effective, which can often leave you dreading getting started. Instead, find the thing that gets you excited to move. Whether that’s a game of netball with your local club or a gentle walk on the beach, movement for mental wellbeing is all about finding the thing that both inspires you to start and leaves you feeling empowered when you finish.
- Start small, then start even smaller. If you don’t currently exercise at all, don’t start by aiming to exercise five days a week. Start simple! Lace up your running shoes, pack your workout necessities, head to your place of exercise, and then go straight home. Whether you move for 20 minutes or an hour, the act of getting started is a huge accomplishment and one worth celebrating!