Who needs a gym? Most people get the exercise they need without one

Six in 10 Americans swear they can “get all the exercise they need” without ever stepping foot inside a gym.

A new study of 2,000 U.S. adults found the average person considers themselves active five times per week and exercises four times per week — and 54% said they “never” go to the gym.

Since many skip the gym, they’re getting their exercise in other ways. Almost all respondents surveyed (98%) believe they can get a workout in while taking on everyday tasks.

Those tasks include harnessing the power of everyday activities like walking around the neighborhood (74%), taking the stairs (60%), doing yard work (59%), cleaning the home (59%), walking the dog (56%) and bringing in groceries into the home (42%).

Other tasks compared to exercises include gardening (40%), taking the trash out (36%), stretching after getting out of bed (35%), doing dishes or laundry (33%), standing on your feet for at least four hours (30%) or even getting kids ready for school (10%).

Commissioned by Nature’s Bounty, a vitamin and probiotic brand, and conducted by OnePoll, the study revealed 70% believe they’re healthy and many compared their level of health with different physical activity levels. Embracing these activities as part of a balanced lifestyle could contribute to overall well-being.

Ten percent reported feeling as if they were a superhero or professional athlete, while 17% felt 10 years younger.

Nearly half (48%) of people think back to their previous week’s physical activities during the weekend.

Seventy percent said they feel “impressed” with their activity levels from the previous week.

While more than three-quarters (77%) were reportedly aware of how active their bodies are during the week, 65% said they’d be willing to go further in their activities, exploring their physical capabilities while exercising.

Of them, an overwhelming 80% at least occasionally test their physical limits while exercising. Benefits are then seen as feeling more confident (54%), walking farther (52%) and noticing their body looks better (46%).

Most (87%) imagine they could accomplish tasks they could never do before if they could just improve their physical abilities by 10%.

“It’s encouraging to recognize how everyday activities can feel like feats of strength to so many people and to understand that our bodies have an innate ability to support our overall health and wellness too — the power is already within us,” said Jaclyn Safrath, MS, MPH, medical affairs manager, Nestlé Health Science, maker of Nature’s Bounty. “But it’s clear that many want to constantly improve their health — finding ways to give that extra 10 percent and push what their bodies can do.”

At the core of feeling physically apt, the study found a connection between diet and activity levels. More than a quarter (28%) believe their diet has a major impact on their immune system and 24% similarly believe their diet majorly impacts physical activity levels.

Ninety percent believe their overall digestive health impacts their physicality and immune system.

To improve their digestive health, 63% would likely use a probiotic supplement to support their digestive health.

Three in four would be willing to change their diet for the better if it could improve their physical activity levels. Over half (54%) would change most of or all of what they eat, as a result.

“The human body is a brilliant system and every day it’s hustling on our behalf,” continued Safrath. “Take, for instance, the digestive system where tens of trillions of ‘good’ bacteria already live in the gut supporting so many of the body’s functions including immune health. Probiotics help supplement the body’s own ingenious system.”

TOP 10 EVERYDAY TASK EXERCISES

• Walking around the neighborhood - 74%
• Taking the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator - 60%
• Doing yard work - 59%
• Cleaning the home - 59%
• Taking the dog for a walk - 56%
• Bringing groceries into the home - 42%
• Gardening - 40%
• Taking the trash out - 36%
• Stretching after getting out of bed - 35%
• Doing dishes or laundry - 33%

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Nature’s Bounty between Feb. 28 and Mar. 4, 2024. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).