Exercise Intensity, Affect, and Adherence: A Guide for the Fitness Professional

Abstract

There are numerous physical health issues in the United States that can be improved through regular physical activity. Fitness professionals can promote long-term adherence to physical activity, and a framework for promoting such a commitment is the link between exercise intensity, affective response, and exercise adherence. This article explores the three concepts and connects them with motivation, goals, and a communication style that builds a trusting relationship between fitness professional and client.Our media-driven society offers a wide array of information that can be accessed by a click of the mouse or a touch of the cell phone. Exercise is one such piece of information; magazines, Internet sites, books, commercials, billboards, and television shows "speak" to society about how to improve body image. These competing messages provide inspiring tales of individuals who endured an intense, relatively short exercise regimen, and dramatically improved their body image and their quality of life. These real-life case studies are inspiring, powerful, and can serve as the impetus for people to become active. However, most newly-active individuals are probably armed with unrealistic expectations. They may think that if an exercise routine is followed for a few weeks, then those dramatic results will follow. Health clubs and gyms accommodate this need by offering group exercise classes and small group training that provides an intense workout in an hour or less. This outlook tends to maximize energy expenditure during the workout session, and beginner exercisers usually feel good for the first couple of weeks. Within six months, 50% of exercisers drop out (Dishman, 2001).