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

Exercise Motivators
Interest In Various Health-Related Activities (If Cost Not an Issue)
% Who Say “Very/Somewhat Interested”
(by Gender and Age)
Base: Total respondents.
Gender Age
Total Men Women 50-59 60-69 70-79
(1,000) (387) (613) (385) (345) (270)
% % % % % %
Learning more about an exercise
program you can do at home
Attending exercise classes for people
50 48 52 62 51 39
your age
Getting a free exercise assessment and
instructions from a professional about
45 38 52 56 47 33
what exercise is right for you 45 40 49 57 46 29
Joining a neighborhood walking group
Training for a charity event like a breast
41 34 47 49 43 30
cancer walk
Attending a community fitness fair
(screenings, information on exercise,
39 38 40 53 38 24
etc…) 38 33 43 44 42 27
Joining a gym or health club
Joining a group that goes dancing
33 32 33 43 32 19
(ballroom, line dancing) 30 27 32 36 33 19
Participating in a 5K fun jog/walk event 28 31 25 39 30 15
Purchasing home exercise equipment 23 27 20 31 24 14
Purchasing exercise videos
Training for a recreational sports
18 12 23 21 21 13
competition 17 22 12 23 14 10
“I’m going to read a list of activities related to exercise. As I read each one, please tell
me whether—if cost were not an issue—you would be very interested in it, somewhat
interested, not very interested, or not interested at all in it. First…” (Q.21)
Source: Second wave
© 2002 AARP Page 57