Exercise Attitudes and Behaviors: A Survey of Adults Age 50-79 - Aarp

Major Reasons Exercise
- % Who Say “Major Reason” –
(by Gender and Age)
Base: Have some kind of exercise schedule
Exercise Motivators
Gender Age
Total Men Women 50-59 60-69 70-79
(780) (298) (482) (293) (272) (215)
% % % % % %
Improving your overall health 82 81 83 83 80 84
Increasing your fitness level 72 74 70 71 74 69
Feeling good about yourself 71 67 75 71 70 72
Increasing your energy level 69 67 72 68 70 70
Preventing disease 67 61 72 65 70 66
Feeling in control of your life 57 53 61 54 58 63
Reducing stress 60 55 64 61 58 60
Controlling your weight 60 59 60 61 58 60
Having fun 53 51 55 47 56 62
Looking good 48 42 54 48 47 49
Fighting aging 45 41 48 42 46 47
Socializing with other people 34 30 37 26 33 50
Having better sex 28 37 20 35 25 19
“I’m going to read a list of benefits people say they get from exercise. For each, please
tell me whether you feel it is a major reason, a minor reason, or not really a reason you
exercise.” (Q.13)
Source: First wave
© 2002 AARP Page 53