Exercise addiction is a real mental health condition, yet still poorly understood

We might assume a person that goes to the gym every day is “addicted” to exercise. But in reality, exercise addiction is a complicated condition that researchers still don’t fully understand.

 How One Woman Overcame Her Exercise Addiction

Katherine Schreiber shares her story—plus, get to know the signs and symptoms of this surprisingly common disorder.

 How to Know If You're Addicted to Exercise

Among the array of addictions, exercise may be unique in one respect: It's almost universally viewed as virtuous. Drink or smoke too much, and friends start to worry. Exercise too much, and everyone envies your dedication, which means it's easy to conceal the problem—even from yourself.

 Why Do People Become Addicted to Exercise?

Exercise addiction is more than a love of sport or a craving for the endorphin release associated with intense physical exercise. It is the manifestation of mental illness. The following factors can help explain how exercise addiction can become grooved in an individual’s life, but they alone are not the causes.

When Exercise Becomes an Addiction

But for me, exercise has become a drug. It is a way to cope with everything else going on and numb out the pain I might feel, and it truly is an addiction, one I cancel plans over just to get my fix.

Addicted to Exercise?

“Exercise addicts display all of the hallmarks of substance addicts: tolerance, craving, withdrawal and the need to exercise ‘just to feel normal,’

Exercise addiction is real — and extremely dangerous

Over-exercisers also suffer from classic signs of addiction such as withdrawal and relapse, which are well known among drug addicts and alcoholics.

Exercise Addiction: 'working Out Used to Be Something That Other People Did - Then I Got Addicted'

When healthy becomes harmful.

I was addicted to exercise: Here's how to spot the signs

I’ve already been to hot yoga early this morning and worked out for the last eight days in a row. Even so, I had to come this evening. Why? Because I’m addicted. I am an exercise addict. This means I’m hooked on endorphins.

Passion or Problem? When Exercise Becomes an Addiction

Let’s not beat around the fitness bush here. There’s no denying I’m legitimately addicted to exercise. Yet few people (myself included) fully understand this "healthy" mania that researchers estimate affects 0.3 to 0.5 percent of the population.

Polar F6: My Enabler Way Back When

There’s nothing wrong with the watch or the strap – both are in perfect condition. But my HRM is a reminder of a bad time in my life, when lived at the gym and I was obsessed with exercise.

The Tale of a Fitness-Tracking Addict's Struggles With Strava

When did my exercise habit become a habitual exercise in tracking? Much has been written about the “social fitness” apps turning fun activities into cutthroat virtual competitions...