An interesting debate popped up on Carrots ‘N’ Cake the other day about how much exercise is too much and what constitutes exercise addiction. The debate arose in response to Jillian Michaels telling Self magazine that anybody who exercises for more than six hours a week “definitely may have an exercise addiction.”
Things got a little heated, with some commenters turning it into a personal attack on the blogger’s lifestyle. Personal attacks aside, it made for an interesting read and really got me thinking about what distinguishes the dedicated exerciser from the addict. 
Generally speaking, I agree with Jillian that anyone who exercises for more than six hours a week is likely overdoing it. I realize there are some people – professional or recreational athletes, marathoners or fitness professionals, for example - who often work out for over an hour a day but I’m talking about the average person who works out to look good and stay healthy. I just don’t see how anyone with a full-time job and/or a family to raise could find time to work out for more than six hours a week, even if they genuinely wanted to, without neglecting other areas of their lives.
Back when I was living the dream of part-time employment, I occasionally worked out twice a day but that was because I literally had nothing better to do. Now that I work full-time, getting an hour of physical activity most days a week takes a lot of planning and commitment.
Which brings me to an interesting comparison that came up a few times in the discussion – if exercise is really just an enjoyable hobby like some fitness enthusiasts claim, why are people waking up at the crack of dawn to do it? With most hobbies, you find time to do them, you don’t plan your life around them.
Personally, I think this is an invalid argument because unlike knitting or reading, exercise is necessary for your health and physical appearance, which is what distinguishes it from other hobbies. I enjoy working out but would I do it six days a week if it didn’t have so many physical benefits? Probably not. There are days when I don’t feel like going to the gym but I go anyway because I know it’s good for me after sitting in a chair for eight hours. On those days, it sucks but it’s only an hour and I usually feel good once I get started.
But exercise differs from other hobbies in another important way – too much of it can harm your body. This is another reason why I can’t fathom doing much more than six hours a week. Your body needs rest to recover and, for me, that just wouldn’t be possible without a rest day or two.
Despite these distinctions, exercise does have one thing in common with other hobbies – it can turn into an unhealthy obsession if it gets in the way of other aspects of your life. Are you bailing on friends so you can get in a workout? Do you avoid making plans at specific times because that’s when you usually go to the gym? Exercise is important, but it shouldn’t be the number one priority in your life. I’m pretty dedicated to sticking to my scheduled workouts, but I’ll cancel or re-schedule a workout to hang with a friend I haven’t seen in awhile or if other, more important responsibilities get in the way.
Which brings me to my final point – how do you feel when you miss a workout? I think this is the best way to determine whether you fall into the “dedicated” or “obsessed” camp. If missing a workout fills you with great anxiety or guilt, you’re probably veering towards the crazy side of the spectrum. If you work out either for fun or for health, or some combination of the two, then a missed workout should be mildly disappointing, not life shattering. You’ll get to do it the next day, after all.
That being said, I do think there are those who are too lazy or lack the commitment to work out regularly who will cast aspersions on the habitual exerciser to make themselves feel better.
If you exercise regularly, you’ve likely encountered this type – they’ll call you obsessed or imply that you don’t have a life because of how often you work out. But as long as you know you’re not overtraining or neglecting other areas of your life for the sake of fitness, I say ignore these people and keep doing you.
So those are my two cents. What do you think?
What distinguishes the dedicated exerciser from the addict? Barring special circumstances, is someone who works out for more than six hours a week overdoing it?
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I couldn’t agree with you more! I think it’s important to work out often and as much as possible.. to a point. I don’t have a job so I’m home all day and some weeks I may work out 6 hours but probably not more.. But I’m just getting started and trying to lose weight it’s not something I will continue to do forever. (I want to work out forever, but not almost every day like I am now) I’ve already been told that I’m getting obsessed but I don’t feel that way. If I’m too tired to go on I stop. I always rest two days a week, and it is somewhat discouraging when people can’t just be happy for me, instead of trying to turn what I’m doing into something negative.
Sure, when I get a job I won’t be able to work out as much as I am now.. But with me being home all day right now what would be my excuse? What else am I supposed to do? I don’t feel like I’m obsessed because I wouldn’t cancel plans or avoid friends because I needed to work out. ( I agree with you, that to me sounds like obsession) I don’t freak out when I miss a work out because I can wake up the next day and start over. It’s important not to become obsessed but it’s equally important to be healthy and work hard.
This was a very interesting topic, I’m glad you posted about it.
You got my wheels turning.
(er… sorry my comment turned into almost it’s own little blog post..)
No worries, I enjoyed reading your response! I was in exactly the same position as you when I started working out – I wasn’t working and wanted to lose a little weight, so I decided to go to the gym six days a week for as long as I was unemployed. My plan was to cut back when I got a full-time job but since I was hired full-time in August, I haven’t really felt the need to cut back… I still have the energy and motivation to go six days a week (most of the time – I have the odd day where I get home and would rather read a book or watch TV) so I’m keeping it up. I agree that you just have to determine your activity level based on how you’re feeling (i.e. stop when tired, rest when sore, etc.) You said on your blog that you’ve lost quite a bit of weight since December so it’s natural for people to react with negatively. Some might be genuinely concerned while others are likely jealous… as long as you know you’re not overdoing it, then just keep doing what you’re doing, try to explain it to the people who actually care and ignore the ones who don’t.
I have to say for the most part I agree. In general to much of ANYTHING is not good for you. However with exercise it just depends on your goals, the type of training you are doing your diet, which is like 80% of your weight loss and physique transformation. If I were to interval train my cardio mixed with weight training I could be done with my workout in like a half hr or less but if I were to lift heavy which requires some rest time in between sets as well as doing cardio afterwards I could be training for two hrs in one day. Your body has the ability to adapt quickly so you need to change your training up by manipulating duration and periodizaiton( meaning time spent during your workout and mixing up reps, sets lighter and heavier weights) to continue your weight loss and or muscle growth goals. Working out with weights 3-4 times a week is plenty if you are training hard and properly. Your body needs time to repair and rebuild.
This is dedication. haha BTW great blog!
http://fitcraftystylishandhappy.blogspot.com/
I wake up at the crack of dawn to exercise. I also try to squeeze in meditation and other activities I like in those early morning hours because once my kids get up, I won’t get a chance. I am committed to what I deem important and I really don’t care if folks think I’m obsessed. I know when to back off like if I have an injury or if I’m tired. But I push myself to be the best version of myself I can be. If that’s obsessive, that’s fine by me. I think it’s unfair to label someone as obsessive because they workout for more than 6 hours if you’re not in their mind. What is motivating them? Are they enjoying it? Doing it in a healthy way? Blanket statements are usually silly.