University of Iowa Health Science Relations and
Dan Fick, MD
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
First Published: November 2000
Last Revised: September 2003
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

Kathy wakes up three mornings each week at 5:00 to run five miles before work. In the evenings, she goes to her health club for aerobics and weight work. She schedules all her other activities around her exercise schedule. Kathy spends little time at home with her family. She has a stress fracture, yet she continues to run.

Kathy's situation is exaggerated, but it shows the steps people may take when they become addicted to exercise. Exercise addicts are just like any other kind of addict, says Dr. Daniel Fick, associate clinical professor of family practice at the University of Iowa College of Medicine.

In general, an addiction is something that interferes with your life, job, and relationships. "The addiction becomes the main focus at the expense of other important things in life, whatever those things may be," Fick says.

Just as people dependent on alcohol or drugs require more of the substance to satisfy their needs, people addicted to exercise require increasing levels of exercise, Fick says. Most people addicted to exercise participate in only one type of activity. "They usually run or jog, because it is more difficult to be addicted to other sports. Participating in aerobics classes usually costs money. To swim, you need a pool, and you need weights to lift for weight training."

Fick stresses that only a small percentage of people who exercise become addicted to it. Most people know when to slow down and when to vary their activity.

If you feel you may be addicted to exercise, Fick suggests using the same questions asked of people who have other types of addictions: Are you trying to escape from a problem? Why do you exercise? What are the benefits? Does exercise interfere with your life, work, and relationships?

The media's role in idealizing models and athletes affects the way people see themselves, he adds. "Some people addicted to exercise have unrealistic images of their bodies--when they look in the mirror, all they see is fat."

In most cases, people don't go to the extreme of exercise addiction, Fick says. "The majority of people in the United States eat too much and exercise too little. Children have become more sedentary over the past 10 years. Nationally, children today get less exercise and their weight is increasing."

Variety and moderation are the keys to a good exercise regimen. See your physician before starting any exercise program. If you have questions regarding exercise addiction, see your physician.