Less active Americans do not increase their activity levels primarily due to a perceived lack of time. About 43% identify lack of time as the main barrier, with 64% agreeing they want to exercise more but cannot find the time. Family responsibilities and work-related time constraints also contribute to this barrier, especially among baby boomers, people with desk jobs, and working women. Older adults face additional barriers such as health or physical problems, with many simply unable to be physically active due to these conditions. Despite the desire to be more active—59% of less active individuals want to increase activity—only 25% believe they are likely to do so in the near future. Access to exercise opportunities is generally not seen as a major obstacle since 81% feel they have enough opportunities. Social support, such as encouragement from family or friends, and workplace incentives could help increase activity levels but are often lacking. Additionally, health professionals are underutilized in encouraging physical activity, with only 31% of less active Americans having been advised by a doctor to increase activity, although such encouragement is shown to increase motivation. Barriers beyond time include lack of motivation, health issues, unsafe neighborhoods especially for certain racial/ethnic groups, and social or environmental challenges. Women, older adults, and people with disabilities particularly face more obstacles to being active. The healthiest motivator for increasing activity is concern for one's health and desire for greater strength and energy. In summary, the main reasons less active Americans do not increase physical activity levels are time constraints, health and physical issues, insufficient motivation or encouragement, and social/environmental barriers despite a general desire to become more active.
