The Relationship Between Strength Training, Wellbeing, and Exercise Motivation in Adults

Background: Strength training (ST) is a form of physical activity (PA) increasingly linked to psychological wellbeing, yet its relationship with wellbeing and exercise motivation remains under-researched compared to aerobic activity. This study examined the relationship between ST parameters (frequency, duration, intensity, and level) and two dimensions of wellbeing – eudaimonic (EW) and hedonic (HW) – as well as intrinsic and extrinsic exercise motives. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 339 adults (241 women, 98 men; aged 18–42, M = 26.07, SD = 6.02). ST was assessed using items from the EHIS-PAQ and IPAQ; EW was measured with a shortened Psychological Wellbeing Scale (PWBS; Ryff & Keyes, 1995), HW with the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index, and exercise motives with a modified Exercise Motivation Inventory-2 (EMI-2). Results: ST level during a typical week correlated positively with EW (r = .17, p = .002), and ST level during the past week correlated positively with HW (r = .29, p < .001). Higher ST frequency was associated with higher EW (p = .001) and HW (p < .001). Moderate-to-high intensity ST was associated with higher HW (p < .001), but not consistently with EW. Intrinsic motives correlated positively with EW (r = .27, p < .001) and with sufficient ST level (r = .12, p = .037), whereas extrinsic motives showed no significant associations. Men reported higher ST levels than women (p = .001), but no gender differences emerged in motives. Conclusion: Higher ST frequency was associated with both eudaimonic and hedonic wellbeing, while moderate-to-high ST intensity was associated more consistently with hedonic wellbeing, and intrinsic motivation appears to be a key correlate of both wellbeing and ST adherence. These findings support incorporating motivational and wellbeing considerations into strength-training promotion. Keywords: Strength training, wellbeing, exercise motivation, eudaimonic wellbeing, hedonic wellbeing