Losing weight is no longer the biggest exercise motivation, study claims

Losing weight is no longer the reason many Aussies are choosing to move their bodies. Instead something entirely is pushing people to exercise, according to a new study.

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Losing weight is no longer the reason many Aussies are choosing to exercise, according to a new study.

A thousand Australians were asked about their exercise habits in a survey by ASICS from 2019 to the present day, and particularly what their motications were.

Five years ago, the majority of people said their main motivator was to lose weight.

But now many are choosing to lace up their shoes to improve their mental health, with 40 per cent of respondents revealing this was their new reason to move.

Behind that, 23 per cent were trying to improve their fitness level and 18 per cent wanted to improve their physical health, such as bone and heart health.

Australians are no longer exercising to lose weight. Picture: iStock

The study was commissioned in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics to better understand Australian’s motivation when it comes to exercise, as our Olympians often inspire people to get moving.

Psychologist and ASICS ambassador Meg McClurg said: “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.”

Millennials are leading the charge when it comes to not exercising purely to lose weight, and are instead interested in better their overall health.

Instead, 40 per cent of Aussies are mainly exercising for their mental health. Picture: Supplied/ASICS

“While younger generations have led the way in terms of prioritising mental wellbeing, our research has encouragingly shown that baby boomers and Gen Xers have also moved towards exercising to improve such things as muscle, heart, and bone health. This highlights how Australians recognise that being active is beneficial to many aspects of their wellbeing,” Ms McClurg said.

She said that often the biggest hurdle when it comes to exercise is getting started, so she said to build a support team, find a routine that works for you and start small.