Source: Exercise New Zealand
09 October 2026
67% of New Zealanders say mental wellbeing is a reason they exercise.
Mental wellbeing is now the second biggest reason Kiwis exercise, behind only overall health.
“Aotearoa has a chance to be a strong example internationally of an exercise industry that understands physical and mental wellbeing go hand in hand.”
This World Mental Health Day, Exercise New Zealand is highlighting the growing role exercise plays in supporting mental wellbeing, and what Kiwis experience can offer the global exercise industry.
World Mental Health Day is held each year on 10 October and was first observed in 1992 as an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). It was established to raise awareness and understanding of mental health issues and advocate for better mental health around the world.
The theme for World Mental Health Day 2026 is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.” It calls for people with lived experience of mental health challenges to have a meaningful voice in shaping the services, policies and environments that support them.
For the exercise industry, listening to why people choose to exercise is an important part of that conversation.
Mental Wellbeing Is One Of The Biggest Reasons Kiwis Exercise
ExerciseNZ’s latest consumer research shows mental wellbeing is now the second most common reason Kiwis give for exercising, at 67%, behind only overall health at 78%. Chief Executive Richard Beddie says the findings reflect how much the role of exercise has changed.
“People come to gyms, studios and exercise classes for all sorts of reasons. Getting fitter and stronger is obviously part of it, but for a lot of New Zealanders, exercise is also about feeling better, managing stress and having something positive in their day.
“When two-thirds of New Zealanders tell us mental wellbeing is a reason they exercise, that’s something our industry needs to pay attention to.”
Conducted annually, ExerciseNZ’s consumer research has consistently identified mental health among the leading reasons New Zealanders choose to exercise. Previous research found 64% identified mental health as a reason to be physically active, alongside overall health at 76% and feeling good about themselves at 61%.
Aotearoa Offers An Example For The Global Exercise Industry
More than one million New Zealanders now engage with the structured exercise sector, with close to one in three adults accessing structured exercise services.
ExerciseNZ says those numbers, alongside the growing importance of mental wellbeing as a reason for exercising, show how the role of the exercise industry is broadening. “We have a real opportunity in Aotearoa to lead this conversation,” Beddie says.
“People are already telling us that exercise is an important part of how they look after their mental wellbeing. The industry needs to understand that and make sure the experience we provide reflects it.
“A good exercise facility can offer much more than equipment and a workout. For many people, it’s part of their weekly routine, somewhere they know people, somewhere they feel comfortable and somewhere they leave feeling better.”
New Zealand is also one of a relatively small number of countries with a registration body for exercise professionals, providing assurance that registered professionals are appropriately qualified and understand their professional scope. Beddie says that professional foundation is increasingly valuable as people turn to structured exercise for a wider range of reasons.
What Does That Mean In The Gym?
For gyms, studios, group exercise providers and exercise professionals, the message is relatively simple: understand why people are there.
For someone walking into a gym, the most important part of their experience may be the workout. For someone else, it might be the routine, getting out of the house, seeing familiar faces or having an hour where they can focus on themselves. Beddie further states.
“Exercise professionals aren’t there to provide mental health treatment. Their role is exercise. But how we deliver that exercise matters,”
“Being welcoming, knowing your members, creating a sense of community and making exercise a positive experience can make a genuine difference to someone’s day.”
ExerciseNZ says World Mental Health Day is also a chance for the global industry to think more broadly about what people now expect from structured exercise.
For many people, appearance, performance and weight loss are no longer the main drivers. Health, mental wellbeing, connection and simply feeling better are becoming increasingly important.
“The numbers tell us what New Zealanders value. And if 67% of people are exercising for their mental wellbeing, then that needs to be part of how we think about our industry and the environments we create.”
“Aotearoa has a chance to be a strong example internationally of an exercise industry that understands physical and mental wellbeing go hand in hand.”