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Survey Reveals Exercise is Key Outlet for Americans’ Growing Election Anxiety

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Survey Reveals Exercise is Key Outlet for Americans’ Growing Election Anxiety

EoS Fitness Study Shows 83% of Americans Are Feeling Election-Related Stress, While 95% Recognize Importance of Physical Activity for Stress Relief

DALLAS, September 27, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As the November presidential election approaches, 83% of American adults are experiencing some form of stress, and three out of five are reporting moderate to extreme anxiety about it, according to a new survey conducted by EoS Fitness. The study also highlighted that 45% of respondents have seen their anxiety levels increase over the past 60 days, with 53% expecting their stress to escalate as Election Day gets closer.

In the face of rising election stress, the majority of respondents—95%—agree that physical activity is a crucial tool in managing anxiety. Among those experiencing the highest stress levels, 72% said regular exercise significantly helps them cope.

Americans Exercise to Manage Election Anxiety

“As Americans experience the growing importance of this time of year, our survey finds that exercise is a healthy and effective way to manage anxiety,” said EoS Fitness Chief Marketing Officer Shilpi Sullivan. “Providing a welcoming space where people can relieve stress, connect with others and improve their well-being is part of our foundation. At EoS, we believe in the value of fitness not just for physical health but as a vital resource for mental clarity and overall wellness. Members find the sense of community and comradery in our gyms to be an integral piece of their gym-going experience.”

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Perception vs. Reality of Election Stress

Interestingly, while the majority of Americans admit to feeling election-related anxiety, they believe others are feeling it more. Over 80% of respondents report personal stress, while 93% think others are struggling with higher levels of anxiety. Additionally, 82% believe other people’s election-related stress is moderate to extreme, a full 20% higher than their assessment of their own stress.

Exercise: A Community Solution for Relief

Joella Hopkins, executive vice president of group fitness at EoS Fitness, noted the additional benefits of working out with others. “Exercising in a group or with a partner creates a sense of community and accountability, making it easier to stay consistent,” said Hopkins. “Sharing the experience with others helps build connections, which is incredibly powerful for mental well-being and stress management.”

More Exercise, More Control Over Stress

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The survey also found that those who exercise more than three times per week are 34% more likely to feel in control of their stress during this election period. Whether it’s vigorous weightlifting, calming yoga or simply taking a walk, physical activity is a proven remedy for anxiety, and EoS Fitness encourages its members and the communities it serves to prioritize movement for mental clarity and reducing stress.

According to the survey, the top 10 activities respondents use to reduce their anxiety include:

  1. Walking

  2. Gardening

  3. Swimming

  4. Weightlifting

  5. Running

  6. Strength training

  7. Cycling

  8. Yoga

  9. Dancing

  10. Active meditation

For more tips on incorporating exercise into your routine to combat stress or anxiety, visit eosfitness.com/blog.

About the Survey

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This survey was completed using Pollfish, an online surveying platform with a global network of respondents. The random sample of 1,000 participants were adult U.S. residents polled on September 18, 2024.

About EoS Fitness

EoS Fitness, a leader in the fitness industry with its High Value. Low Price. (HVLP)® gyms, is an inclusive and welcoming organization committed to empowering exercise practitioners of all experience levels. With more than 150 gym locations open and on the way in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Southern California, Texas and Utah, EoS Fitness is rapidly expanding. Providing serious fitness options, EoS Fitness offers the best equipment, high-energy workout classes, top-notch amenities, and extensive personal training options starting at just $9.99 per month. www.EoSfitness.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240927255123/en/

Contacts

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Media Contact:
Melissa Rue
mkr@nstpr.com
208-850-5939

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EXCLUSIVE: Lindsay Arnold’s The Movement Club Launches Its First Home Exercise Tool

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EXCLUSIVE: Lindsay Arnold’s The Movement Club Launches Its First Home Exercise Tool

“Dancing With the Stars” alum Lindsay Arnold is expanding her digital fitness universe with the launch of a home exercise tool, The Everything Band.

Out now, the all-in-one, multiloop resistance band is a first-of-its-kind product designed to replace clunky gym equipment such as reformers, leg machines, rowers, kettlebells and more. With 11 loops (five “levels” on each side of the center loop), the portable tool, $35, can assist more than 100 movements, all of which are modeled in Arnold’s four-week, low-impact Tone Program, available on The Movement Club app.

Lindsay Arnold using The Everything Band.

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Speaking with WWD, Arnold described the band as a physical manifestation of her need to multitask. “I like to get things done. I like to be efficient with my time. And anything I create is going to be kind of a physical version of that,” she said. “The Movement Club is our digital version of that. It’s accessible movement that people can truly do anywhere. So when we decided to go into the physical product space, I knew I wanted something that’s multifunctional, that is versatile, that is innovative.”

Arnold founded the membership platform in 2020, after her 10-year run as a coach on “Dancing With the Stars.” The idea was born out of a sudden change in her own fitness regimen that occurred when she was pregnant with her first baby. “My body was my tool to perform, but when I stepped away from that career and became a mom, life looked a lot busier. I didn’t have as much time to get back to myself,” she recalled.

“I started looking at fitness in a different way,” she continued. “I felt like there was a missing space in the fitness industry for a program that’s for everyone, not a program that’s only for pregnant women or only for people in the best shape of their life, but truly a program that meets people exactly where they are at in their fitness journey.”

The Everything Band in the new four-week Tone Program.

The Everything Band in the four-week Tone Program.

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In 2025, The Movement Club saw a 190 percent increase in revenue, a 226 percent increase in new subscribers and 151 percent growth spike in returning subscribers.

With 12 programs including Full Body, Bridal, Postpartum, Pilates Strength and Self Care, the membership-based platform is, indeed, suitable for beginners, experts and every exercise level in between. Most workouts range from 18 to 30 minutes, with elements of dance woven throughout. “A lot a lot of my classes incorporate ballet, bar movements and also the stretching that I do feel like is a lot more targeted for dancers, which is really, really cool, because it’s all about lengthening and strengthening your muscles while also stretching and keeping your body safe,” Arnold explained.

The Tone Program, which is five days on and two days off, targets arms, glutes, legs and core, with short, high-intensity intervals and three-to-four reps of each exercise. The format, Arnold said, allows members to familiarize themselves with the band, and hopefully, inspire them to use it in their own regimen. “I will continue to add new videos with the band, like I always do, but first, I really wanted to launch with a good program for people to follow along with and track their progress,” she said.

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Can 2 days of exercise make up for a sedentary week? Fitness coach reveals truth about weekend workouts

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Can 2 days of exercise make up for a sedentary week? Fitness coach reveals truth about weekend workouts

The weekend workout trend is taking over the internet, and people are obsessing over it. But with most of us leading sedentary lives, is it too good to be true? HT Lifestyle spoke with Sumit Dubey, fitness expert and the founder of Sumit Dubey Fitness (SDF) centre to understand whether weekend exercise actually works or it is just another passing fad.

Weekend workout trend involves doing exercising only twice a week. (Unsplash)

​Also read | Woman who lost 27 kg shares exactly what to eat before and after a workout for fat loss: ‘Aim for 15-25 g of protein…’

Weekend workout trend

Sumit Dubey said, “These days, life moves quickly. Folks find it tough sticking to regular workouts through the week. So they shift everything to Saturday and Sunday instead.” “Squeezing sweat into just a couple of days has become common lately,” he added.

“When Monday hits, and the chairs stay full again. Two long pushes each weekend. Can those really balance out five lazy ones after? The body keeps score differently, maybe,” said Sumit.

Weekend vs daily exercise

According to Sumit, weekend movement counts more than you might think. Scientists see gains when people hit 150 weekly minutes of solid effort, even if it’s just two days. Hearts respond well, so do blood sugar levels. Long-term illness risks dip slightly, and doing something beats doing nothing – no perfect routine needed.

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Still, some key limits need attention. Sumit highlighted that often moving keeps things running smoother. When you stay seated all day, circulation slows, posture slips, body parts weaken – little by little, they lose their edge. Five inactive days dull the gains from two active ones. A weekly rhythm matters more than weekend effort alone.

Here’s another thing to think about: getting hurt more easily. When exercise gets squeezed into just a few minutes, people tend to go too hard – especially if they haven’t moved much lately, highlighted Sumit. Pushing fast without building up slowly can pull muscles or strain joints. Tiredness shows up quicker when effort spikes out of nowhere. Bodies unprepared for sudden bursts react with soreness or discomfort most times.

“Still, working out on weekends might actually help, as long as it’s done with some thought,” said Sumit. Ease counts more than effort. You can try running, sometimes swimming instead; pair either with strength drills along with quick footwork. Wait until movement feels smooth before adding speed, ease off gradually once finished.

Mornings aren’t the only time motion matters. Getting up to stroll, reach, or shift positions through workdays cuts down the health downsides of too much stillness.

“Just twice a week, moving your body? That still misses what everyday motion offers. Showing up – any way you can – is more crucial than how hard you push. Consistency wins easily when matched against sporadic bursts. Skip perfect routines; choose ones that fit smoothly into life. Progress forms slowly, built by tiny actions done again and again,” said Sumit.

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Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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Vernon seniors personal trainer is moving to Anytime Fitness

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Vernon seniors personal trainer is moving to Anytime Fitness

New gym, same exercises

Vernon’s favourite senior’s personal trainer is on the move.

For more than 25 years, Don MacLeod has been leading weight-resistance exercise classes for seniors.

And for the past eight years, MacLeod had taught classes five days a week at Snap Fitness in the Landing Plaza, but on March 31 that gym closed its doors, so MacLeod needed a new venue for his popular classes.

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Enter Anytime Fitness in the Anderson Subdivision.

MacLeod said he is grateful to have reached a deal with the fitness club to carry on his morning exercise classes, and many seniors have already signed up.

While there are other gyms in Vernon that have seniors exercise classes, the certified personal trainer uses weight-resistance training to target all major muscle groups.

He will lead seven classes from Monday to Friday.

“It’s basic strength training,” MacLeod said of the exercises that geared towards the older crowd.

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“We do everything that the bodybuilders and powerlifters do, but in a reasonable manner where we are just going to get our bones, our muscles, our tendons and ligaments stronger.”

MacLeod, 71, has also taken special courses geared specifically towards working with seniors.

Some seniors may feel too intimidated to go to a gym on their own, but MacLeod said seniors can find a common bond when they exercise in a group.

MacLeod said he has heard a few people say “what a waste of space” to hold senior’s classes.

“They really make life difficult for us. They think old people shouldn’t be in the gym, why are they lifting weights: to stay strong and to stay healthy,” MacLeod said. “One day, these guys are going to be old too.”

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MacLeod said he started lifting weights in 1972 and continues to reap the benefits of regular exercise as he enters his 70s.

For more information, contact MacLeod at 250-260-1001.

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