Most adults missing exercise
- U.S. health reporting finds most American adults are not getting enough physical activity. - Public guidance recommends at least 150 minutes moderate or 75 minutes vigorous aerobic activity weekly, plus strength work. - Experts highlight simple fixes like hydration, stretching, and adequate rest to support adherence ( ).
Fewer than half of U.S. adults met the federal benchmark for aerobic exercise in 2024, according to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. (cdc.gov) The National Center for Health Statistics said 47.2% of adults age 18 and older got enough leisure-time aerobic activity to meet the guideline. Men did so at a higher rate than women, 52.3% to 42.4%. (cdc.gov) Federal guidance defines that target as at least 150 minutes a week of moderate activity, 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or an equivalent mix. Adults are also advised to do muscle-strengthening work on two or more days each week. (cdc.gov) The broader picture is worse when strength training is included. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 24.2% of adults met both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines in 2020, the latest figure on its FastStats page. (cdc.gov) The 2024 survey found large gaps by age, education, income, and region. Adults ages 18 to 44 were more likely to meet the aerobic target than older adults, and adults in the West posted higher rates than those in the South. (cdc.gov) Separate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maps show 25.3% of adults reported no physical activity outside work from 2017 through 2020. Those estimates varied by state and by race and ethnicity. (cdc.gov) The federal government has tied low activity levels to chronic disease, medical spending, and early death for years. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans say nearly 80% of adults were not meeting both the aerobic and strength targets when that edition was issued. (odphp.health.gov) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to move that number through its Active People, Healthy Nation initiative, which aims to help 27 million Americans become more active by 2027. The agency says higher activity levels can improve health, quality of life, and health care costs. (cdc.gov) Clinicians and trainers interviewed by local health outlets pointed to practical steps that can help people stick with exercise, including water before and after workouts, stretching, and rest days between harder sessions. Those tips do not change the federal target, but they can make it easier to reach. (abc30.com, cdc.gov)
