Gym addiction signs

Causes, Risk Factors, and Symptoms

Exercise Addiction: Causes, Risk Factors, and Symptoms

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Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD — By Heaven Stubblefield — Updated on Aug 4, 2017

What is exercise addiction?

Exercise addiction is an unhealthy obsession with physical fitness and exercise. It’s often a result of body image disorders and eating disorders. Exercise addicts display traits similar to those of other addicts, which include:

obsessing over the behavior
engaging in the behavior even though it’s causing physical harm
engaging in the behavior despite wanting to stop
engaging in the behavior in secret.

Exercise causes the release of certain chemicals in the nervous system. These chemicals create a sense of pleasure or reward. Exercise addiction may be, in part, a dependence on this pleasure response.

Extreme weight loss and health conditions related to weight loss could result from exercise addiction.

Exercise releases endorphins and dopamine. These are the same neurotransmitters released during drug use. An exercise addict feels reward and joy when exercising. When they stop exercising, the neurotransmitters go away. An addict has to exercise more to trigger the chemical release.

Exercise addiction usually starts with a desire for physical fitness. An eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, may lead to an unhealthy obsession with exercise. A body dysmorphic disorder, or body image disorder, may also cause exercise addiction.

People who feel pressure to stay in shape are at risk of developing exercise addiction. And people who are overweight and set out on an extreme weight loss regimen may also be at risk of exercise addiction.

Researchers at the University of Southern California speculate that 15 percent of exercise addicts are also addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, or illicit drugs. An estimated 25 percent may have other addictions, such as sex addiction or shopping addiction.

In some cases, former drug addicts and alcohol abusers turn to exercise to fill the void left by past addictions. This is similar to the way a smoker may become addicted to caffeine after quitting cigarettes.

Common symptoms of exercise addiction include:

feeling buzzed after exercising
experiencing withdrawal symptoms after long periods without exercise
experiencing uncontrollable desires to exercise
reducing activities in other areas of life to make time for exercise
spending long periods of time preparing for, and recovering from, exercise
experiencing an inability to stick with a reduced exercise routine

Exercise addiction isn’t always easy to diagnose. Most exercise addicts don’t see anything wrong with their behavior and don’t report it. It is also not a diagnosis recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), which means that there are not specific diagnostic criteria to use in its diagnosis.

Increased fitness obsession and decreased social activity commonly indicate exercise addiction. A doctor may ask you to keep a journal of your workout routines and social activities to determine if you are demonstrating abnormal exercise patterns.

In most cases, self-control is necessary to treat exercise addiction. An addict acknowledges that they have a problem and takes steps to control exercise activity.

Exercise addicts often switch to new forms of exercise or moderate their current workouts. An exercise addict may need to stop exercising for a time to gain control of the desire to exercise.

To prevent exercise addiction, avoid excessive trips to the gym. Limit your workout time and the amount of daily exercise.

Take breaks from exercise throughout the week to let your body rest. If you find yourself becoming obsessed with exercising talk to your doctor about what you can do.

Mental and physical dedication can treat exercise addiction. Exercise addicts should avoid drugs, alcohol, caffeine, and other substances that can be addictive.

The amount of time it takes for a person to overcome exercise addiction depends on the severity of the condition.

Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2016

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Sussman, S., Lisha, N., & Griffiths, M. (2011, March). Prevalence of the addictions: A problem of the majority or the minority? Evaluations & the Health Professions, 34(1), 3-56
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3134413/
Weinstein, A., & Weinstein, Y. (2014). Exercise addiction- Diagnosis, bio-psychological mechanisms and treatment issues. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 20(25), 4062–4069
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24001300
Freimuth, M., Moniz, S., & Kim, S. R. (2011, October 21). Clarifying exercise addiction: Differential diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, and phases of addiction. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(10), 4069-4081
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210598/
Definition of addiction. (2011, April 19)
asam.org/quality-practice/definition-of-addiction

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Aug 4, 2017

Written By

Heaven Stubblefield

Jun 29, 2016

Medically Reviewed By

Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD — By Heaven Stubblefield — Updated on Aug 4, 2017

Causes, Risk Factors, and Symptoms

Exercise Addiction: Causes, Risk Factors, and Symptoms

Health Conditions
- Featured
  - Breast Cancer
  - IBD
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  - Rheumatoid Arthritis
  - Type 2 Diabetes
- Articles
  - Acid Reflux
  - ADHD
  - Allergies
  - Alzheimer's & Dementia
  - Bipolar Disorder
  - Cancer
  - Crohn's Disease
  - Chronic Pain
  - Cold & Flu
  - COPD
  - Depression
  - Fibromyalgia
  - Heart Disease
  - High Cholesterol
  - HIV
  - Hypertension
  - IPF
  - Osteoarthritis
  - Psoriasis
  - Skin Disorders and Care
  - STDs
Discover
- Wellness Topics
  - Nutrition
  - Fitness
  - Skin Care
  - Sexual Health
  - Women's Health
  - Mental Well-Being
  - Sleep
- Product Reviews
  - Vitamins & Supplements
  - Sleep
  - Mental Health
  - Nutrition
  - At-Home Testing
  - CBD
  - Men’s Health
- Original Series
  - Fresh Food Fast
  - Diagnosis Diaries
  - You’re Not Alone
  - Present Tense
- Video Series
  - Youth in Focus
  - Healthy Harvest
  - No More Silence
  - Future of Health
Plan
- Health Challenges
  - Mindful Eating
  - Sugar Savvy
  - Move Your Body
  - Gut Health
  - Mood Foods
  - Align Your Spine
- Find Care
  - Primary Care
  - Mental Health
  - OB-GYN
  - Dermatologists
  - Neurologists
  - Cardiologists
  - Orthopedists
- Lifestyle Quizzes
  - Weight Management
  - Am I Depressed? A Quiz for Teens
  - Are You a Workaholic?
  - How Well Do You Sleep?
- Tools & Resources
  - Health News
  - Find a Diet
  - Find Healthy Snacks
  - Drugs A-Z
  - Health A-Z
Connect
- - Breast Cancer
  - Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  - Psoriatic Arthritis
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis
  - Psoriasis

Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD — By Heaven Stubblefield — Updated on Aug 4, 2017

What is exercise addiction?

obsessing over the behavior
engaging in the behavior even though it’s causing physical harm
engaging in the behavior despite wanting to stop
engaging in the behavior in secret.

Extreme weight loss and health conditions related to weight loss could result from exercise addiction.

Common symptoms of exercise addiction include:

feeling buzzed after exercising
experiencing withdrawal symptoms after long periods without exercise
experiencing uncontrollable desires to exercise
reducing activities in other areas of life to make time for exercise
spending long periods of time preparing for, and recovering from, exercise
experiencing an inability to stick with a reduced exercise routine

In most cases, self-control is necessary to treat exercise addiction. An addict acknowledges that they have a problem and takes steps to control exercise activity.

Exercise addicts often switch to new forms of exercise or moderate their current workouts. An exercise addict may need to stop exercising for a time to gain control of the desire to exercise.

To prevent exercise addiction, avoid excessive trips to the gym. Limit your workout time and the amount of daily exercise.

Take breaks from exercise throughout the week to let your body rest. If you find yourself becoming obsessed with exercising talk to your doctor about what you can do.

Mental and physical dedication can treat exercise addiction. Exercise addicts should avoid drugs, alcohol, caffeine, and other substances that can be addictive.

The amount of time it takes for a person to overcome exercise addiction depends on the severity of the condition.

Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2016

How we reviewed this article:

Sussman, S., Lisha, N., & Griffiths, M. (2011, March). Prevalence of the addictions: A problem of the majority or the minority? Evaluations & the Health Professions, 34(1), 3-56
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3134413/
Weinstein, A., & Weinstein, Y. (2014). Exercise addiction- Diagnosis, bio-psychological mechanisms and treatment issues. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 20(25), 4062–4069
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24001300
Freimuth, M., Moniz, S., & Kim, S. R. (2011, October 21). Clarifying exercise addiction: Differential diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, and phases of addiction. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(10), 4069-4081
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210598/
Definition of addiction. (2011, April 19)
asam.org/quality-practice/definition-of-addiction

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Aug 4, 2017

Written By

Heaven Stubblefield

Jun 29, 2016

Medically Reviewed By

Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD — By Heaven Stubblefield — Updated on Aug 4, 2017

How the habit of going to the gym can turn into a dangerous addiction

Every self-respecting man in one way or another tries to keep his body in shape - he goes in for sports at home or, if he has time, goes to the gym. We have already said more than once that the main thing in this matter is not to overdo it, although we welcome great zeal and striving for success. But today the habit of going to training has become a dangerous trend. Already in 2012, 0.5% of the world's population became addicted to going to the gym. We think that now this figure has increased several times. We all need to know the signs of an emerging addiction in order to prevent it in time and prevent it from ruining us.

How to know if you're addicted

The symptoms of addiction, according to sports and psychology professor Clive Jones, are fairly obvious and easy to recognize. The first and main sign is the obvious anxiety that you experience at a time when you cannot get to the gym for a long time. Also dominated by irritability, the inability to consider the importance of rebuilding the body after a series of grueling workouts. Sports come to the fore, completely controlling the emotions, behavior and thinking of the addicted athlete. It can also lead to great conflicts with loved ones, since the obsession with physical activity puts it in priority over family, personal life or work.

As in the relationship between a drug addict and a prohibited substance, an athlete develops a tolerance for the gym. That is, each time, in order to achieve complete satisfaction from training, the load has to be increased. This is a normal practice in sports in general, but you should not go too far. And a decrease in the load can cause an abstinence syndrome, which will lead to great discomfort, trembling in the whole body or some of its parts (can be compared with breaking), mood swings. Therefore, when starting classes in the gym, remember these symptoms in order to stop them at the first stage.

7 Side Effects of Overtraining Syndrome

Psychological and Chemical Effects

While in women the desire for a perfect body can cause such a disorder as anorexia, in men dysmorphia often develops. This is a mental illness that is caused by excessive concern about not meeting the standards of a beautiful male body in society. A prime example of what this does to people is bodybuilding. According to Dr. Jones, in bodybuilders, as a rule, addiction to sports can be associated with a low assessment of themselves, their bodies, as well as self-doubt.

Another cause of addiction in humans is chemicals. As you know, when playing sports, endorphins are produced in the body, which helps a person feel much happier. Plus, it helps to cope with stress, but when there are too many workouts, the trainee becomes dependent not only on them, but also on his hormone of happiness, which he needs more and more, like a drug addict.

How to create a training program yourself

What addiction does to your body

Australian professor Aaron Coates says it's hard to know how long a person needs to spend in the gym before they can be considered addicted. For each, this number will be individual, and a greater tendency to it is manifested in those who do endurance exercises. It is especially dangerous, even from a health point of view, to practice every day without giving yourself proper rest. Also at risk of addiction are men who take on heavy physical activity but do not combine it with diet and proper recovery.

The consequences of sports addiction can be as follows. Firstly, due to inadequate rest, which is almost non-existent, joints, bones and ligaments suffer, which at one moment may not withstand. Secondly, in such extreme conditions, the metabolism in the body can change, which is also not very useful for you. There is also a high risk of hormonal failure, due to which hormones will no longer enter the body in the usual way and in the right amount, which will lead to a decrease in testosterone levels, an increase in cortisol and estrogen. The latter, by the way, can cause the transformation of your breasts into a woman's. In addition, immunity suffers - you will get sick more often and it will be harder to endure even the most common cold. And the loss of muscle mass that you are so eager to gain will not please you.

Factors that affect your muscle growth

How to fix it

Of course, there are no magic pills, but if you follow some simple rules, it will help you. First, your carbohydrate intake must become adequate. It is the most accessible source of physical energy. Despite the fact that one of the main trends in fitness today is a low-carb diet, you should not forget about them, leaving their usual portion in your diet.

The second thing you must do is change your thinking and behavior. This begins the struggle with a possible or already obvious addiction. To prove to yourself that this is not so, you have to forget the way to the gym for a couple of weeks. And if you are going on vacation and are looking for a hotel where the hall will be located, stop doing it. It is this behavior that gives you addiction.

The Spartan Way: The Mindset and Tactics of the Greatest Warriors

It is also important to remember that there are many other things besides sports that can lift your spirits and combat your stress. Plus, it's important to make sure that your good mood does not depend only on how well you pumped up your abs today or how much chest pressing you did this time.

And one more thing to remember is the purpose for which you go to the gym. Naturally, many of us go there to keep the body in shape or bring it into it. But we must set goals that are realistic, not going beyond, because of which we will not have to spend every day in the hall, striving for an unattainable ideal. You just need to remember that a beautiful body does not always mean pumped up. It is time for us to reconsider these stereotypes.

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Contents

Symptoms of fitness addiction
Reasons for fitness addiction
Fitness Side Effects
How not to become a fitness addict

They say that everything is good in moderation. In excessive amounts, even useful things can be harmful . The same can be said about fitness. Regular classes, which a person attends 2-3 times a week, have a healing effect. Cases when a person practices every day for many hours and cannot imagine a single day without training speak of a kind of addiction to classes. Any form of unfreedom brings discomfort to life.

Fitness addiction symptoms

Healthy lifestyle addiction was first mentioned at the end of the 20th century . Fitness addicts are simply obsessed with their appearance and desire to exercise. They train every day , sometimes for six hours. Other things are planned not to the detriment of training.

Fitness addicts are very concerned about appearance. Tightened buttocks, sculpted body become the goal of life

They are very worried if they have to miss classes. In their opinion, the body must be forced to work every day and preferably at the limit of . They do everything to ensure that their figure does not have anatomical flaws. Athletes increase the load, despite the prohibitions of doctors and injuries.

Overwork
In psychiatry there is a term "obsessive compulsive disorder", it is the best suited for fitness-addicted people. Missed a workout - a tragedy. There were extra two hundred grams - a nightmare, you need to increase the load. Such surges are needed only for those who are engaged in fitness professional . Their body is the standard, advertising, makes them successful in the profession.

Fitness addiction does not bring such harm as drugs, and yet it sometimes interferes with life . Fatigue, irritation appear, it becomes difficult to maintain normal interpersonal relationships, work, achieve success in other areas of life.

Causes of fitness addiction

French psychiatrists found out that addictions are about 40% of people who are involved in fitness. It all starts with the desire to make your body beautiful, fit. The trainer assigns a load to which the body gradually gets used . Then they gradually increase, the further, the more.

Having coped with noticeable shortcomings in appearance, a person begins to correct minor ones and can no longer stop

Addiction can cause any kind of pleasure, and fitness is no exception. During exercise, endorphins are produced in the body, which explains high spirits after training . Gradually, the need for the hormone grows, the athlete “sits down” on fitness. He becomes a hostage to "euphoric memory". Dr. Heather Husenblass, in The Truth About Exercise Addiction, equates fitness addiction with alcohol and drug addiction because of the similarity of symptoms.
Exhausting workouts
Side effects of fitness

The brain requires a habitual load that the body does not always cope with. Athletes may have side effects from strenuous exercise:

damage to joints and tendons;

sprain;

increased appetite;

menstrual disorders in girls;

reduced immunity.

This, of course, is commendable, but sometimes bodily beauty makes the psyche sick. People lose contact with the outside world, they have inadequate reactions to some stimuli.
Sprain
How not to become a fitness addict

In order for not to fall under the fitness addiction, you need to understand the purpose of going to the gym. Any kind of addiction is formed against the background of psychological problems.

A person has complexes about fullness, flabby body. He goes to the gym to fix these problems. Subsequently, even when the body becomes beautiful, instead of leaving the training at the same volume and keeping themselves in shape , people continue to increase the pace. It doesn't lead to anything good.

You should not bring yourself to exhaustion: the body should not only be beautiful, embossed, but also healthy

You should not blame the body for all your life problems. It is a mistake to hope that your self-esteem will instantly increase if you pump up muscles or buttocks. You can’t think that a loved one will immediately appear if you train day and night. You need to understand that all problems are in a person’s head . Until you have confidence inside yourself, until you yourself want a relationship, fitness will not give you this. The body must be in harmony with the head.

Excessive enthusiasm for fitness gives rise to another problem, addiction to fitness itself. Then you have to fight not only with excess weight, but also with the psychological dependence on training, on the desire to make your body even better.
Training with a trainer
If you notice that you have a constantly growing desire to increase the load, then it is better to completely stop training for some time . You need to go to rest or just do something that you didn’t have enough time for, that is, to abstract from training, to reboot.
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Gym addiction signs

Causes, Risk Factors, and Symptoms

How we reviewed this article:

Read this next

Causes, Risk Factors, and Symptoms

How we reviewed this article:

Read this next

How the habit of going to the gym can turn into a dangerous addiction

How to know if you're addicted

Psychological and Chemical Effects

What addiction does to your body

How to fix it

what it is, signs, how to get rid of it

Fitness addiction symptoms

Causes of fitness addiction

Side effects of fitness

How not to become a fitness addict