Brits a nation of exercise excuse makers
New research shows the nation needs to lighten up when it comes to exercise, with over a third of us (33%) admitting we take it too seriously, and nearly two thirds (62%) coming up with weekly excuses to avoid it completely. The Saucony Kinvara 4 poll also revealed one third of us spend more time worrying about exercise than actually doing it.
Tiredness was the ultimate excuse (66%), with bad weather (34%) and feeling unwell (31%) next on the list. Other excuses ranged from bizarre to plain lazy…with ‘a piece of cake is calling’, ‘broken shoelaces’ and ‘too much ironing’ featuring in the poll.
Whilst three quarters (74%) of us admit we invent excuses to avoid exercise for our personal benefit only, nearly one in four (23%) conjure them up for the benefit of their partners. It’s not just excuses either – with one fifth of us (19%) having lied about doing exercise when we haven’t done any at all.
Excuses also differed between the sexes:
Tiredness (70% women vs 57% men)
Being hungover (12% men vs 5% women)
Having too much work (25% women vs 13% men)
“We’re forgetting the fun side of exercise and either taking it far too seriously or conjuring up a raft of excuses to avoid it entirely. We want the nation to lighten up and enjoy themselves, whether that’s going for a short run or hitting the gym. The Saucony Kinvara 4 is an award-winning training shoe that is so lightweight, just 220g***, it’s a great way to literally help you lighten up!” said Jonathan Quint, Marketing Manager for Saucony UK and Ireland.
The UK regions needing to lighten up:
Londoners are the biggest worriers, with a massive 44% admitting they could be more relaxed about their exercise –in particular running. The East Midlands were the most relaxed with just 16% in comparison
Over two thirds (69%) of people from Northern Ireland admitted they have made up an excuse to avoid running, compared to just 43% of those from Yorkshire and the Humber
East Midlands respondents use hangovers more than any other region (14%), compared to just 3% of East Anglians
Nick Anderson, Saucony Coaching Ambassador and founder of fitness coaching company Running With Us, gives his top tips for ditching the excuses and enjoying exercise:
1. Buddy up with reliable friends who will stick to a training session meet up. If not, Hyde Park is like the M25 for runners – you’ll never be alone which can help with motivation
2.Treat it like a meeting – Ring fence time as a standing meeting with your Saucony Kinvara 4’s even if it is just a 15-20 minute run
3. Remember that however short your burst of exercise, it will always make you feel good
4. Don’t forget to snack and hydrate – being fed and watered helps you to stay energised. Don’t let being disorganised with nutrition be an excuse
5. Have a goal no matter how small – be realistic. Or have a cause and a reason to do your exercise. Don’t do it just for the sake of it
6. Make it fun – Run with a smile. Love every run and make every run count
a. Run in your favourite park
b. Choose a new route every day
c. Run off road
d. Take your running shoes on holiday with you to explore and enjoy new surroundings
