Do you think the word "exercise" and/or "workout" have a negative connontation to most people?

[Prof_Don]

Weird ?, but allow me to explain.

We know certain words have negative or positive connotations.

Do you think that to most people the word "exercise" or the word "workout" have a negative connotation, compared to a word choice such as "activity"?

Please vote and respond. 8-)

"workout" imo has a negative connontation

"exercise" imo has a negative connontation

Both words imo have a negative connontation

Neither word imo has a negative connontation

[selfishstars]

I think to some people they do, but I'm not sure if it's "most".

Some people are intimidated by the idea of "working out" or "exercising". They see it as hard work, unpleasant, a chore, or something that they're not capable of doing. They may immediately think of things like running on a treadmill or outside, or lifting weights, spending a lot of time at the gym, and if they're not very fit or don't have access to many resources, they might not be able to imagine themselves doing those things.

So, people concerned with health promotion will choose to use different language---things like "physical activity" or "being active" because it's less intimidating to people and people think of a wider variety of things that it could include (i.e. going for a walk, playing baseball with your kids, etc.). People think, "Yeah, I can do that."

People often think that they need a gym membership, or to own gym equipment to exercise, or that they need to have a lot of time to devote to exercising. But when they think of "being active"---they don't feel like they need those same things, or they think about how they could include "being more active" in their daily lives (i.e. walking to the store instead of driving).

People who aren't very fit are likely to be more willing to take small steps to being active/healthier. If you tell someone "In order to be healthy, you need to exercise for one hour a day", a lot of people won't want to do that or will feel unable to do that, and thus, do nothing at all. But if they think they can do small things to be more active and healthy, that seems more doable---and it's a step in the right direction.

[ZenQueen]

yea I just avoid saying that! I call it "play" because I really do have fun with my workouts, I don't go to the gym or do mindless exercises. I get outside ride my bike around, maybe stop somewhere interesting, I meet new people, the other night (at 3am!) I biked through a creepy park just for the adrenaline rush , I heard something in the bushes and I pedaled like I was being chased by a mountain lion(could have been one actually..) What I call "yoga" is really like dancing/moving around/stretching/massage/meditation in one. When I run I go with my dog and we always take a different route to make it interesting, and we end up at this school with a huge field and there's always a jump rope or soccer ball to play around with. I hate exercise, but I love to play! but to note, this makes it hard to control what muscle I gain, but It makes me think of exercise positively so I actually want to get out and do it and I look forward to it, that's really what counts

[Argus14]

To the general population neither word in my opinion has a negative connotation but in my experience there is a subculture of fitness fanatics that looks down heavily on these words and while I am no fanatic I agree with them.

Words like exercise and workout don't imply any type of goal really. When I hear exercise I honestly think of someone just doing the same thing spinning their wheels. Much prefer the word training. Training has with it a clearly defined end point to be reached.

[WoIIie]

It does depending on who you ask.

When you talk about working out to someone who is not physically fit or active, it carries a negative connotation because it's basically criticizing their lifestyle and telling them to get off their butt because they aren't healthy. Though the because might be justified, it's still a nuisance to somebody set in their ways.

A workout has a positive connotation obviously when you're talking with guys who lead a healthy lifestyle.

[FlyingTurtle]

The only thing is, when someone mentions exercise or working out when I'm not being very consistent with my own work outs, I feel really guilty. So, there's that. . . when I'm working out regularly like I am now, I don't think those words have a negative affect on me.

[MrEM4N]

I think the problem is people only link working out and exercise to weight loss when really it ties into the greater picture that is health. If people would understand how detrimental and harmful an overweight sedentary lifestyle is I think it would motivate more people to action.

"Nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels"

[queenofpeen]

I think, in general, "exercise" and "work out" seem to be used as if they are duties that people don't actually want to do. Some people enjoy exercise as part of their lifestyle and yay endorphins, so they don't use or read "exercise" in a negative way. But for a lot of people I know, they exercise as a means to an end, as something they have to put up with to get what they want, which seems to be weight loss and not actual health. We've got it twisted.

[Anonymous]

For some reason, workout is more positive than exercise to me. "Exercise" sounds like something you do for your health that is tedious. Workout sounds like something you do for yourself that you enjoy. I mean, consider the song "Sexy & I Know It" if he said "Girl look at that body ... I exercise!"

[martyfellow]

I don't think the words have a negative connotation, but people try to deny they need these things,so it's a little bit taboo to bring them up. Just look around most places and you'll see a lot of people who are exercise phobes.

[lace1228]

No and if it does it shouldn't. Exercising of any kind is good for the heart. It should be something positive in the sense your gaining years on your life expectancy and for some it is saving their lives all together.

[nadiya]

I think they're only negative if you want them to be. Both exercising and working out can be fun and stimulating activities. I don't see why they'd come across as negative.

[moneyman1029]

I'd say for me it isn't because I am active, and I enjoy doing those types of things.

But for people who don't exercise often, they might feel discouraged because the words make it seem harder.

[CubanRaftRider]

I think "exercise" sounds more of a chore. I enjoy working out but I don't like to think of it as "exercise."

[WeaponZero]

For most people? I'd say yes. For me? I'd say no. Love them.

[Caustic_Fox]

when I hear the word exercise I think of people who don't workout, when I hear the word workout I think of people who don't train

[Anonymous]

when I hear the word "exercise" or "workout" I think hard work.. I think it can trigger bad memories, but its widely considered something that's good for you. so two parts of the brain might be in conflict when I hear that

[Anonymous]

I love all. I love to work out.