Argentina: Shift in fitness motivations toward mental wellbeing

According to the 2023 National Survey on Physical Activity and Sport, Argentines are increasingly prioritizing mental wellbeing and enjoyment over purely aesthetic or performance-based goals when exercising. The survey indicates that 38.8% of people who train cite pleasure and fun as their primary motivation, surpassing physical fitness (29.1%) and health maintenance (27%).

This shift is particularly pronounced among younger demographics, with the motivation of pleasure increasing by more than 10 percentage points among those aged 16 to 29 compared to 2021. For those intending to start a regular exercise routine, 83.6% aim to do so to relax or clear their minds.

Jorge Pizarro, technical manager at Smart Fit, noted that while people still pursue concrete physical goals, there is a growing integral motivation to increase energy, release tension, and improve sleep quality.