Read on for the summary, results and survey graphs plus additional subscriber's suggestions

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Who responded?

• 265 people of which 77% were female

The results show those who completed the survey are very active.

• Almost 3/4's (71%) have been exercising regularly for over 6 months showing a commitment to physical activity. Only 5 people were not exercising and not planning to.
  
  
• More than half (58%) have 5 or more planned exercise sessions a week. Less than 15% exercise less than 3 times a week.
  
  
• Around 85% exercise for at least 30 minutes at each session. The most common exercise duration is between 45 and 60 minutes. Less than 4% exerise more than 90 minutes each session.

• Positive thinking really does work and was the top strategy for staying active. Almost 2/3's (65%) think of the benefits and also the consequences of not exercising. This shows that the principles of 'pleasure' and 'pain' are important motivators. To boost your motivation, simply make a list of pros and cons for regular exercise and post on your fridge to remind you each day.
  
  
• The third top strategy was being a member of gym (46%). This shows making a financial commitment is also important. Next was keeping to a routine (42%) which means a focus on time management.
  
  
• Exercising with a buddy or in a group was a strategy for about 20%. And there are some strategies that people don't use as much. Having someone remind you be active, placing a note of the fridge or saying positive affirmations were used by only around 3% of survey respondents.
  
  
• Given that the group surveyed were quite active, these strategies may only be important when starting an exercise program. Read our subscribers' personal motivating strategies.

• Almost 3/4's were very confident that they would be exercising regularly in 6 months. Only 5% were very unconfident. Read our subscribers' confidence boosting tips.

Although the survey numbers may not be great enough to give significant statistical correlations, there were two interesting trends.

• The longer you stick at it the more confident you get! Those who had been exercising regularly for more than 6 months had greater confidence that they would continue to do so in 6 more months. 89% very confident compared with 52% for those who have been active for 1-6 months and 21% for people in their first month of regular exercise.
  
  
• Being a member of a gym helps 1-6 monthers. This was the top strategy to stay active for those who had been exercising regulary for 1-6 months. After this time it appears that more internal motivation kicks in. 74% of exercisers at it for more than 6 months said "It's a habit I've developed."

1. Your gender?   Response Percent Response Total     Female 76.7% 201     Male 23.3% 61 Total Respondents   262 (skipped this question)   3

2. Your age group?   Response Percent Response Total     18-24 years 12.2% 32     25-34 years 41.1% 108     35-44 years 23.6% 62     45-54 years 19% 50     55 years plus 4.2% 11 Total Respondents   263 (skipped this question)   2

3. Which statement from the pull-down list below most applys to you? "Exercising regularly" means at least 2 planned sessions a week of at least 20 mins duration each.   Response Percent Response Total     I'm not currently exercising regularly and I don't plan to. 1.9% 5     I'm not currently exercising regularly but I plan to in the next 6 months. 12.2% 32     I've been exercising regularly for less than a month. 5.7% 15     I've been exercising regularly for between 1 and 6 months. 8.8% 23     I've been exercising regularly for over 6 months. 71.4% 187 Total Respondents   262 (skipped this question)   3

4. On average, how many times each week do you have a planned exercise session (eg. go for a walk, gym, etc)?   Response Percent Response Total     < 1 7.4% 19     1 3.1% 8     2 4.3% 11     3 15.5% 40     4 15.5% 40     5 22.5% 58     6 13.6% 35     7 5.8% 15     >7 12.4% 32 Total Respondents   258 (skipped this question)   7

5. On average, what duration are these sessions?   Response Percent Response Total     < 10 mins 4.7% 12     11-20 mins 2.7% 7     21-30 mins 7.8% 20     31-45 mins 20.9% 54     46-60 mins 36.4% 94     61-90 mins 23.6% 61     91-120 mins 1.9% 5     > 120 mins 1.9% 5 Total Respondents   258 (skipped this question)   7

6. What strategies do you CURRENTLY use to help keep yourself exercising regularly? Tick all that apply to you.   Response Percent Response Total   It just comes naturally 32.7% 82   It's a habit I've developed 59.4% 149   Exercise with a buddy 20.7% 52   Exercise with a group 19.9% 50   Member of a gym 45.8% 115   Have a personal trainer 10.8% 27   Set an alarm on my watch, clock, etc 9.6% 24   Keep to routine of same session days & times 41.4% 104   Make a diary entry for exercise sessions 17.5% 44   Have someone remind me 2.4% 6   Say positive affirmations in my head. eg. "This is good for me!" 28.7% 72   Say positive affirmations out loud 3.6% 9   Think of the benefits of exercise 65.3% 164   Think of the consequences of not exercising 61.4% 154   Write a note on fridge or elsewhere 2% 5   Leave shoes or exercise gear out ready 21.1% 53   Other (Please tell us if we've missed your strategy!) 30.7% 77 Total Respondents   251 (skipped this question)   14

7. How confident are you that you will be exercising regularly in six months time?   Response Percent Response Total     Very confident 73.7% 185     Somewhat confident 13.9% 35     Neutral 4% 10     Somewhat unconfident 3.2% 8     Very unconfident 5.2% 13 Total Respondents   251 (skipped this question)   14

8. What would boost your confidence -- any extra thoughts you'd like to share? (We'll share these on the website)  Total Respondents   91 (skipped this question)   174 Read additional subscriber's suggestions Top | Subscribe | Send to a friend