Exercise doesn’t have to be hard to boost health, says psychologist sharing tip to make it easier

THREE-quarters of adults say exercising feels like a chore rather than enjoyable, according to research.

A poll of 2,000 adults found 63 per cent admit the main reason they exercise is for physical gain, and 25 per cent say they take part because they feel like it is something they should do.

With just 28 per cent finding the activity fun.

However, the research, which also polled 1,000 children aged six to 11 found, in comparison, 92 per cent kids love exercise.

And for 77 per cent of youngsters, having fun is cited as the main reason they workout.

It also emerged that, when reflecting on their younger mindset, 82 per cent of adults admitted they didn’t hate exercise during their childhood – with 43 per cent even saying they “loved” moving.

The research was commissioned by ASICS, which has launched the world’s youngest exercise influencer team, the “Little Reminders”, to get adults to exercise for how it makes them feel, rather than how it makes them look.

Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos added: “As we grow older, societal influences such as social media and cultural norms emphasise the aesthetic outcomes of exercise, shaping our perception and relationship with not only exercise but with our bodies and body image.

“Though it is well documented that exercise can support our mental health, there still remains the misconception that for it to be effective, activity needs to be difficult, intense and sometimes painful.

“When in reality, you don’t need to do a full-body workout to reap the rewards.

“The idea of returning to the mindset of our younger selves is a great way to conceptualise exercise, unlocking the full mental benefits of movement.

“Embracing this mindset as adults could be the key to positively restructuring our relationship with exercise and allow us to reignite our childhood love of moving for how it makes us feel.”

The study also highlighted how exercise as a child is instinctive – with 55 per cent of adults recalling they weren’t aware that they were exercising, as it was just how they played at that age.

But now 27 per cent agree changing how they look is the most important thing to them when engaging in physical activity.

Sadly, as we get older, the focus of exercise is all too often on physical gain and performance

Gary RaucherAsics

More than one in three (36 per cent) often struggle to find the time to exercise – with others avoiding it due to not having the energy (45 per cent) or just not wanting to (29 per cent).

In fact, for 54 per cent of those polled via , if they could choose one reason to exercise, they would do it for their body, compared to 31 per cent who would prioritise the mental benefits.

Gary Raucher, executive vice president from the sports company, said: “Children aged five to seven are at their peak activity levels, and their primary motivation to exercise is to feel good.

“Sadly, as we get older, the focus of exercise is all too often on physical gain and performance.

“So instead of exercise being a way to release pressure and help people feel better, the exercise world often adds to the pressure. We want to change that.

“We hope that our newest recruits can help remind us of the real power of exercise and encourage us to move for our minds, not just our bodies.”