AI reveals why people really exercise and how they stay motivated

A recent study from Tel Aviv University has used artificial intelligence tools for the first time to uncover the key reasons people engage in physical activity and the most effective strategies for maintaining a fitness routine. By analyzing thousands of posts from the social media platform Reddit, researchers found that nearly one in four users (23.9%) exercise primarily to improve their physical appearance, while others cited maintaining physical health (18.9%) and mental health (16.9%) as their main motivations. The paper was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR).

Despite the well-known health benefits of exercise, a large portion of the population fails to engage in sufficient physical activity. Research has shown that more than 80% of adolescents and over a quarter of adults do not meet the minimum exercise guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization. Understanding what drives people to start and stick with an exercise routine is essential for designing interventions that encourage more consistent physical activity.

Traditionally, studies on exercise motivation have relied on surveys and structured interviews. While these methods provide useful information, they are prone to several biases. Participants may not represent the broader population, as individuals who volunteer for these studies tend to have specific characteristics that set them apart from non-volunteers. Additionally, people responding to surveys might modify their answers to align with what they believe the researchers want to hear. These issues can lead to an inaccurate picture of what truly motivates people to exercise.

To address these challenges, researchers at Tel Aviv University turned to social media as a data source. Platforms like Reddit provide a space where people share their thoughts and experiences freely, often with a level of honesty that is difficult to capture through traditional research methods. By analyzing thousands of real-world discussions, the researchers aimed to gain an unfiltered understanding of why people exercise and what helps them stay committed.

How the researchers conducted their study
The research team used artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to scan Reddit posts related to exercise and motivation. They first identified popular subreddits where users frequently discussed physical activity, such as r/Fitness, r/bodyweightfitness, and r/crossfit, as well as broader discussion groups like r/askReddit, r/askMen, and r/askWomen. After filtering out irrelevant posts, they collected a final dataset of 1,850 unique comments spanning discussions from 2017 to 2021.

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To categorize these comments, the researchers used advanced text analysis tools. They employed a machine learning model to cluster similar statements together and then worked with exercise science experts to verify and refine these clusters. Through this process, the study identified ten major themes, which were divided into two categories: reasons for starting an exercise routine (motivations) and strategies for maintaining one (adherence strategies).

The analysis revealed that the primary reason people exercise is to improve their physical appearance, with 23.9% of users mentioning this as their main motivation. Many participants described how they exercised to lose weight, build muscle, or achieve a particular body shape. This finding suggests that while people may outwardly claim they exercise for health reasons, aesthetic goals often play a more significant role in their decision to work out.

The second most common motivation, cited by 18.9% of users, was maintaining physical health. These individuals discussed the importance of exercise for preventing illness, managing chronic conditions, and enhancing overall well-being. Meanwhile, 16.9% of users exercised primarily for mental health benefits, describing how physical activity helped them manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

“Researchers in our field usually rely on cumbersome old-school questionnaires, containing inherent biases, to understand why people engage in sports and what strategies help them adhere to physical activity,” explained Yftach Gepner, one of the study’s authors. “It’s an astonishing phenomenon: science tells us that if we put just over two hours a week into physical activity, we can prevent 30% of diseases, improve our quality of life, and extend our lifespan; and yet, less than a quarter of the population actually does this. Why? What have we failed to see? While we all wish our loved one’s good health on their birthday, a wish of ‘good workouts’ is quite rare… But there is a way to be healthy – by exercising. That’s why it’s crucial to understand what really motivates people to engage in physical activity and what helps them stick with it.”

“Our findings are not based on self-reporting, a representative sample, a questionnaire, or a survey. This is, in plain terms, the real reason why people exercise. And the answer is that people mainly exercise to look good. In questionnaires, people claim they want to be healthy, but in reality, they want six-pack abs. These findings are important because they teach us how to address the public, how to persuade people to get off the couch, promote health, and prevent disease.”

Beyond motivation, the study also examined the strategies people use to stay committed to exercise. The most frequently mentioned approach, cited by 30% of users, was habit formation. Many users emphasized the importance of making exercise a routine part of daily life, rather than relying on fluctuating motivation. Other effective strategies included goal setting (13.9%), choosing enjoyable activities (12.1%), socializing (9.7%), and using digital tools such as fitness apps and online workout videos (8.9%).

“The results are quite significant,” Gepner said. “One strategy is more successful and therefore more recommended than others—creating exercise habits. If you want to be healthier, you need to develop healthy habits, period. Instead of a morning cigarette, drink two glasses of water and go out for a run. 30% is an empirical statistic that is hard to argue with, so as the Head of the Department of Health Promotion, I can confidently say to the public: develop habits and be healthy.”

Interestingly, the study also analyzed changes in exercise motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, there was a noticeable increase in users citing physical health and mental health as primary motivators, while motivations related to appearance declined. This shift suggests that external factors, such as a global health crisis, can influence why people choose to stay active.

While this study provides valuable insights into exercise motivation, it also has certain limitations. The findings are based on self-reported discussions from a specific group of Reddit users, who may not represent the general population. Reddit tends to attract younger, more tech-savvy individuals, and the perspectives shared on the platform may not fully reflect those of older adults or people who do not engage with online fitness communities.

Additionally, because the study relied on publicly available posts, it could not gather demographic information about the users, such as their age, gender, or fitness levels. Future research could use more targeted data collection methods to examine how different groups of people experience exercise motivation differently.

Despite these limitations, the study offers a new approach to understanding fitness behaviors. By leveraging artificial intelligence and analyzing real-world conversations, researchers can gain deeper insights into how people think about exercise. This knowledge can help shape public health messaging, fitness programs, and digital tools designed to encourage long-term physical activity.

The study, “Analysis of Reddit Discussions on Motivational Factors for Physical Activity: Cross-Sectional Study,” was authored by Michal Shmueli-Scheuer, Yedidya Silverman, Israel Halperin, and Yftach Gepner.