Motivation for sports practice in fitness centers: Case study

Motivation for practice in fitness centers.

Authors

  • José Aleixo Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3964-2954
  • Fernando Martins Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; inED – Center for Research and Innovation in Education, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Instituto de Telecomunicações – Delegação da Covilhã, Covilhã, Portugal; SPRINT – Sport Physical activity and health Research & INnovation cenTer, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1812-2300
  • Diogo Aveiro Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1733-1933
  • Guilherme Furtado Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; SPRINT – Sport Physical activity and health Research & INnovation cenTer, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CERNAS – Center for Studies on Natural Resources Environment and Society, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8327-1567
  • Daniela Almeida Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8506-8350
  • Francisco Campos Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Instituto de Telecomunicações – Delegação da Covilhã, Covilhã, Portugal; SPRINT – Sport Physical activity and health Research & INnovation cenTer, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1990-0589
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/cpd.662481
Keywords: adherence, perceived quality, satisfaction, loyalty, behavior

Abstract

The literature indicates that, in the fitness sector, adapting services to exercisers' needs and ensuring that instructors understand their motivations are essential for improving service quality, satisfaction, and loyalty. This study aimed to: (a) compare the main reasons for exercise (RP) (proportions) in fitness centres according to participant type (exercisers and instructors); and (b) considering only exercisers' perceptions, compare RP (proportions) according to sex, age group, educational level, employment status, and fitness club attended. A total of 589 exercisers and 145 instructors from five fitness clubs completed an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests of independence were used, adopting a significance level of 5% (p < .05). Significant differences were found in the distribution of the main RP between exercisers and instructors (χ² = 98.88; p = .001; Cramer's V = .367), with improving general health being the main RP reported by exercisers, whereas instructors considered weight control/loss to be the main RP of their clients. Significant differences were also observed in the distribution of RP according to age group (χ² = 124.94; p = .001; Cramer's V = .206), educational level (χ² = 37.22; p = .016; Cramer's V = .145), and employment status (χ² = 57.76; p = .009; Cramer's V = .140), whereas no significant differences were found according to sex or fitness club attended. These findings reinforce the importance of aligning instructors' perceptions with exercisers' actual motivations, supporting the adoption of more personalized intervention strategies to improve service quality and, consequently, customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Metrics
Views/Downloads
  • Abstract
    33
  • (156-169) Motivação para ...
    17

References

1. Amaral, A. (2025). A fotografia menos bonita dos clubes de fitness e saúde em Portugal. In Portugal Activo (Ed.), Sete contributos para partilhar interpares (pp. 11-24). Lisboa: Portugal Activo.

2. Antunes, R., Miguel, J., Matos, R., Morquecho-Sánchez R, Amaro, N., Cid, L., Couto, N., Teixeira, D., Monteiro, D. (2025). A behavioral analysis of exercise adherence predictors and its economic impact in the fitness context. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 25(2), 68-80.

3. Ato, M., López-García, J., Benavente, A. (2013). A classification system for research designs in psychology. Anales de Psicología, 29(3), 1038-1059. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.29.3.178511

4. Bandyopadhyay, N. (2018). Whether service quality determinants and customer satisfaction influence loyalty: A study of fitness services. International Journal of Business Excellence, 15(4), 520-535. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBEX.2018.093875

5. Braga-Pereira, R., Furtado, G., Campos, F., Sampaio, A., Teques, P. (2024). Impact of fitness coach behavior on exercise motivation, commitment, and enjoyment: A longitudinal study. PLoS ONE, 19(12), e0310931. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310931

6. Braga-Pereira, R., Furtado, G., Campos, F., Sampaio, A., Teques, P. (2025a). Enhancing exercisers’ experience: A comprehensive review of insights from fitness instructors’ behaviour and psychological impact. International Journal Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2024.2437480

7. Braga-Pereira, R., Furtado, G., Sampaio, A., Teques, P. (2025b). Intrinsic motivation and enjoyment as key-factors in the link with the perceived quality of fitness coach behaviour: Enhancing exercise adherence. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 25(2), 81-100.

8. Campos, F., Damásio, A., Martins, F., Simões, V., Franco, S. (2021a). Importância atribuída no fitness: Perceção dos praticantes de acordo com o género. In A. Figueiredo, J. Rodrigues, L. Murta, P. Bezerra, A. Damásio, T. Figueiredo, T. Fonseca (Eds.), Desporto e Qualidade de Vida - Ensino, Investigação e Intervenção (pp. 48-54). Viseu: REDESPP e IPV-ESEV.

9. Campos, F., Martins, F., Gomes, R., Zylberberg, T., Mendes, S., Damásio, A. (2021b). Importância atribuída no fitness segundo rendimento líquido mensal. Retos, 40, 336-343. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v1i40.81957

10. Campos, F., Martins, F., Simões, V., Franco, S. (2017). Fitness participants perceived quality by age and practiced activity. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 17(2), 698-704. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2017.0210

11. Campos, F., Silva, D., Gonçalves, D., Bronze, J., Vicente, L., Santos, R., Damásio, A., Franco, S., Simões., V. (2018). Motivos para a prática e importância atribuída no âmbito do fitness. Journal of Sport Pedagogy and Research, 4(2), 6.

12. Campos, F., Simões, V., Franco, S. (2015). Characterization and comparison of the participant's perception about the quality of fitness group exercise instructor, considering practiced activity. ARENA-Journal of Physical Activities, 4, 85-104.

13. Campos, F., Simões, V., Franco, S. (2016). A qualidade em atividades de grupo de fitness: construção e validação do questionário “Qualidade do Instrutor de Fitness - Atividades de Grupo (QIF-AG)”. Revista Psicologia, 30(1), 37-48. https://doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v30i1.1069

14. Damásio, A., Campos, F., Gomes, R. (2016). Importance given to the reasons for sport participation and to the characteristics of a fitness service. ARENA-Journal of Physical Activities, 5, 46-56.

15. Dias, M., Franco, D., Damásio, A., Martins, F., Gomes, R., Campos, F. (2019). Importância atribuída aos motivos de prática, qualidade dos serviços e qualidade dos instrutores, pelos praticantes de fitness, e sua relação com a frequência de prática. Journal of Sport Pedagogy and Research, 5(2), 6.

16. European Commission (2010). Special Eurobarometer 334. Sport and Physical Activity. Brussels: European Union.

17. European Commission (2014). Special Eurobarometer 412. Sport and Physical Activity. Brussels: European Union.

18. European Commission (2018). Special Eurobarometer 472. Sport and Physical Activity. Brussels: European Union.

19. European Commission (2022). Special Eurobarometer 525. Sport and Physical Activity. Brussels: European Union.

20. European Observatoire of Sport Employment (2019). European labor market and workforce development priorities for sport and physical activity sector. Lyon: EOSE.

21. Ferreira-Barbosa, H., Barbosa, J., Sabino, B., Loureiro, V. (2020). Determinants of service quality influencing customer satisfaction in fitness centers: A systematic review. European Journal of Human Movement, 49, 29-54. https://doi.org/10.21134/eurjhm.2022.49.3

22. Ferreira-Barbosa, H., Barbosa, J., Sabino, B., Gomes, M., Loureiro, V. (2023). A qualidade do serviço em ginásios: Uma revisão sistemática. In F. Moreno, A. Vilaplana, D. Camacho (Coords.), XIII Congreso Iberoamericano de Economía del Deporte. Los eventos deportivos: Impacto, turismo y tecnología (pp. 161-164). València: Universitat de València.

23. Ferreira-Barbosa, H., García-Fernández, J., Cepeda-Carrión, G. (2024). Intenções comportamentais, uso da app do ginásio e satisfação global dos membros: Uma análise multigrupo. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 24(2), 267-284.

24. Franco, S., Simões, V., Castañer, M., Rodrigues, J., Anguera, M. (2013). La conducta de los instructores de Fitness: Triangulación entre la percepción de los practicantes, autopercepción de los instructores y conducta observada. Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 22(2), 321-329.

25. Furtado, G., Reis, A., Braga-Pereira, R., Caldo-Silva, A., Teques, P., Sampaio, A., Santos, C., Bachi, A., Campos, F., Borges, G., Brito-Costa, S. (2023). Impact of exercise interventions on sustained brain health outcomes in frail older individuals: A comprehensive review of systematic reviews. Healthcare, 11, 3160. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11243160

26. Gjestvang, C., Abrahamsen, F., Stensrud, T., Haakstad, L. (2021). What makes individuals stick to their exercise regime? A one-year follow-up study among novice exercisers in a fitness club setting. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 638928. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.638928

27. Glaveli, N., Papadimitriou, D., Karagiorgos, T., Alexandris, T. (2021). Exploring the role of fitness instructors’ interaction quality skills in building customer trust in the service provider and customer satisfaction. European Sport Management Quarterly, 23(2), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2021.1928256

28. Gomes, R., Franco, D., Dias, M., Martins, F., Damásio, A., Campos, F. (2020). Relação entre frequência de prática e importância atribuída. Journal of Sport Pedagogy Research, 6(1), 20-25.

29. Harriss, D., MacSween, A., Atkinson, G. (2019). Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research: 2020 update. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(13), 813-817. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1015-3123

30. Huang, Y., Kim, D. (2023). How does service quality improve consumer loyalty in sports fitness centers? The moderating role of sport involvement. Sustainability, 15(17). 12840. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712840

31. Jaques, B. (2025). Marketing estratégico. In Portugal Activo (Ed.), Sete contributos para partilhar interpares (pp. 27-42). Lisboa: Portugal Activo.

32. Jung, M., Kim, M., Lee, D., Jeong, K.-H. (2026). An extended theory of planned behavior approach to fitness facility use intention in Korea: The moderating role of social sustainability. Sustainability, 18(8), 4079. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18084079

33. Marôco, J. (2021). Análise estatística com o SPSS statistics. Pêro Pinheiro: ReportNumber.

34. Marques, P., Machado, S., Teixeira, D. (2025). Psychological determinants of exercise practice in health clubs and gymnasiums: A systematic review in adult population. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 25(1), 192-211.

35. Mendes, S., Zylberberg, T., Martins, F., Gomes, R., Campos, F. (2019). Importância atribuída aos motivos de prática, qualidade dos serviços e qualidade dos instrutores, pelos praticantes de fitness, segundo o rendimento líquido mensal. Journal of Sport Pedagogy and Research, 5(2), 6.

36. Miranda, Y., Filho, M., Silva, V., Pedroso, C., Sarmento, J. (2021). Determinantes da satisfação e comportamento positivo de clientes em academias fitness. Motricidade, 17(2), 140-147. https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.20570

37. Oliveira, M., Simões, V., Alves, M., Alves, S., Rodrigues, J., Campos, F., Franco, S. (2013). Análise do feedback pedagógico dos instrutores de Localizada nas dimensões valor e resposta do aluno: Análise por género. Journal of Sport Pedagogy Research, 1(2), 367-381.

38. Ortega-Martínez, J., Martins, F., González-Víllora, S., Campos, F. (2021). Estudio sobre la calidad percibida de usuarios de fitness, a partir de sus características y preferencias según sexo y edad. Retos, 39, 477-482. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v0i39.80061

39. Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS survival manual: A step-by-step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS. London: Routledge.

40. Pedragosa, V., Ferreira, A. (2026). Barómetro do fitness. Panorama do fitness em Portugal 2025. Lisboa: Portugal Activo.

41. Ratola, L., Caleira, E., Veríssimo, F., Neto, H., Aveiro, D., Almeida, D., Aleixo, J., Campos, F. (2025). Possible reasons for exercise dropout in fitness centres: Insights of active users. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 25(9), 1799-1805. http://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2025.09199

42. Rodrigues, F., Macedo, R., Teixeira, D., Cid, L., Monteiro, D. (2021). Análise comportamental da prática de exercício físico em adultos em contexto de ginásio ao longo de dois anos. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 21(1), 282-292.

43. Rodrigues, F., Monteiro, D., Oliveira, C. C., Bastos, V., Pereira, H., Teixeira, D. (2024). Atividade física, exercício e fitness em Portugal: Passado, presente e futuro. Motricidade, 20(4), 366-376. https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.34836

44. Ryan, R., Deci, E. (2020). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61, 101860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860

45. Santos, R., Sousa, S., Simões, V., Franco, S., Martins, F., Damásio, A., Campos, F. (2021). Importância atribuída aos motivos de prática, qualidade dos serviços e qualidade dos instrutores. In F. Campos, R. Melo, R. Mendes (Coords.), Fitness e atividades de ginásio. Guia para profissionais (pp. 323-330). Lisboa: LIDEL.

46. Wang, Z., Wilczyńska, D., Cichoń, E., Kreft, K., Lu, J., Lipowska, M., Lada-Masko, A., Radtke, B., Sajewicz-Radtke, U., Izydorczyk, B., Gmiąt, A., Vago, P., Liu, T., Helmy, M., Enea, V., Pourvakhshoori, N., Bolatov, A., Lipowski, M. (2026). The motivational function of goals in physical activity: A cross-cultural comparison. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1642206. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1642206

47. Weinberg, R., Gould, D. (2023). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

48. Xiao, X., Huang, D., Li, G. (2025). The impact of fitness social media use on exercise behavior: The chained mediating role of intrinsic motivation and exercise intention. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1635912. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1635912

Published
16-09-2026
How to Cite
Aleixo, J., Martins, F., Aveiro, D., Furtado, G., Almeida, D., & Campos, F. (2026). Motivation for sports practice in fitness centers: Case study: Motivation for practice in fitness centers. Sport Psychology Notebooks, 26(3), 156–169. https://doi.org/10.6018/cpd.662481
Issue
Vol. 26 No. 3 (2026): CPD3(2026)
Section
Psicología del Deporte

Las obras que se publican en esta revista están sujetas a los siguientes términos:

1. El Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia (la editorial) conserva los derechos patrimoniales (copyright) de las obras publicadas, y favorece y permite la reutilización de las mismas bajo la licencia de uso indicada en el punto 2.

2. Las obras se publican en la edición electrónica de la revista bajo una licencia Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-SinObraDerivada 3.0 España (texto legal). Se pueden copiar, usar, difundir, transmitir y exponer públicamente, siempre que: i) se cite la autoría y la fuente original de su publicación (revista, editorial y URL de la obra); ii) no se usen para fines comerciales; iii) se mencione la existencia y especificaciones de esta licencia de uso.

Licencia Creative Commons

3. Condiciones de auto-archivo. Se permite y se anima a los autores a difundir electrónicamente las versiones pre-print (versión antes de ser evaluada) y/o post-print (versión evaluada y aceptada para su publicación) de sus obras antes de su publicación, ya que favorece su circulación y difusión más temprana y con ello un posible aumento en su citación y alcance entre la comunidad académica. Color RoMEO: verde.

Open policy finder