--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The gym and the treadmill is a good idea…" description: "\"The gym and the treadmill is a good idea. But the problem is we spend so much effort in marketing messaging, deluding people into thinking if you get o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/dan-buettner-12394_effort_the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea_3103481.jpg" --- # The gym and the treadmill is a good idea. But the problem… ![“The gym and the treadmill is a good idea. But the problem is we spend so much effort in marketing messaging, deluding people into thinking if you get on your treadmill or you go to the gym, that's what you need. People who join a gym, the vast majority of them have quit within nine months and…” quote by Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/dan-buettner-12394_effort_the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea_3103481.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/dan-buettner-12394_effort_the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea_3103481.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/dan-buettner-12394_effort_the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea_3103481.jpg) > “The gym and the treadmill is a good idea. But the problem is we spend so much effort in marketing messaging, deluding people into thinking if you get on your treadmill or you go to the gym, that's what you need. People who join a gym, the vast majority of them have quit within nine months and almost all of them have quit within two years. So if it's a longevity strategy, does not work.” [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critiques the overemphasis on gym marketing, noting most people quit quickly, suggesting such strategies fail for long‑term health. **In simple terms:** Gym hype doesn’t ensure lasting health habits. Key Takeaway Seek sustainable, enjoyable activity habits. Themes health longevity marketing behavior change Mood critical analytical Type insightful thought‑provoking When to use this quote - personal fitness planning - community health programs - behavioral counseling Key Concepts habit formation motivation social influence exercise science Questions to Reflect On - Why do people abandon fitness routines? - What alternatives support lasting health? A Different Perspective May overlook individual preferences and barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Gym](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gym/) [Longevity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longevity/) [Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing/) [Nine months](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nine-months/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I work out: I do a little jump-rope. I punch a bag in the gym. I do the treadmill. I do stationary-bike exercise. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-work-out-i-do-a-little-jump-rope-i-punch-a-bag-in-the-gym-i-do-the/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I work out with weights, do yoga and run on the treadmill at the gym.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-stansfield/i-work-out-with-weights-do-yoga-and-run-on-the-treadmill-at-the-gym/) [Lisa Stansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-stansfield/) > [I'm really into circuit training. You don't have to do each station for very long. Implementing some free weights, maybe a treadmill if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-bader/i-m-really-into-circuit-training-you-don-t-have-to-do-each-station/) [Ryan Bader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-bader/) > [I really feel it when I can't get to the gym for a few weeks. I like to run on a treadmill in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-air/i-really-feel-it-when-i-can-t-get-to-the-gym-for-a-few-weeks-i-like/) [Donna Air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-air/) > [“I can't join a gym! I'm depressed, not suicidal!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/i-can-t-join-a-gym-i-m-depressed-not-suicidal/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [If you're really unfit and you want to get into fitness, just starting at home with some really basic, gentle stuff is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wicks/if-you-re-really-unfit-and-you-want-to-get-into-fitness-just-starting/) [Joe Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wicks/) > [“When people tell me they can’t afford to join a gym, I tell them to go outside; planet Earth is a gym and we’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/when-people-tell-me-they-can-t-afford-to-join-a-gym-i-tell-them-to-go/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [If you live in the States, you have to join a gym.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-rees/if-you-live-in-the-states-you-have-to-join-a-gym/) [Roger Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-rees/) > [I am observing that to become an actor, people say, they want to join gym. Why join a gym? Why don't you join an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rishi-kapoor/i-am-observing-that-to-become-an-actor-people-say-they-want-to-join/) [Rishi Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rishi-kapoor/) > [The newness effect of a new thing wears off in nine months to a year, but financial security can last a lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-newness-effect-of-a-new-thing-wears-off-in-nine-months-to-a-year/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [So setting up automatic savings plans, and buying insurance as opposed to buying a new thing. The newness effect of a new thing wears…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/so-setting-up-automatic-savings-plans-and-buying-insurance-as-opposed/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [Especially during the first nine months, there was so much going on with trying to hire 55 people to run the city, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hickenlooper/especially-during-the-first-nine-months-there-was-so-much-going-on/) [John Hickenlooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hickenlooper/) > [I know there are things I did in education that will never be reversed. I have not done that in film yet because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-there-are-things-i-did-in-education-that-will-never-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In nine months, a group of children left alone with a computer in any language will reach the same standard as an office secretary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugata-mitra/in-nine-months-a-group-of-children-left-alone-with-a-computer-in-any/) [Sugata Mitra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugata-mitra/) > [I'm so thankful that there are people willing to do that - to actually carry a child nine months for someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glozell/i-m-so-thankful-that-there-are-people-willing-to-do-that-to-actually/) GloZell ## More by Dan Buettner > [Deepen your existing spiritual commitment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/deepen-your-existing-spiritual-commitment/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [I wake up in the morning and I see that flower, with the dew on its petals, and at the way it's folding out,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/i-wake-up-in-the-morning-and-i-see-that-flower-with-the-dew-on-its/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [Eat your vegetables, have a positive outlook, be kind to people, and smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/eat-your-vegetables-have-a-positive-outlook-be-kind-to-people-and/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [Of course, Minneapolis, we think, 'Oh well, it's cold there, lethally cold.' But the reality is you adapt to weather... Humans are consummately adaptable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/of-course-minneapolis-we-think-oh-well-it-s-cold-there-lethally-cold/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [A long healthy life is no accident. It begins with good genes, but it also depends on good habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/a-long-healthy-life-is-no-accident-it-begins-with-good-genes-but-it/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [The newness effect of a new thing wears off in nine months to a year, but financial security can last a lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-newness-effect-of-a-new-thing-wears-off-in-nine-months-to-a-year/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [“If you’re an older man, you should not have a supplement with iron because iron accumulates in the heart and can lead to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/if-you-re-an-older-man-you-should-not-have-a-supplement-with-iron/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [The name of the game is to keep from pushing the accelerator pedal so hard that we speed up the aging process. The average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-name-of-the-game-is-to-keep-from-pushing-the-accelerator-pedal-so/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [Diet and supplements and exercise programs aren't what is achieving longevity. Having a faith-based community can add four to 14 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/diet-and-supplements-and-exercise-programs-aren-t-what-is-achieving/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [I know exactly what my values are and what I love to do. That's worth additional years right there. I say no to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/i-know-exactly-what-my-values-are-and-what-i-love-to-do-that-s-worth/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [Gratitude always comes into play; research shows that people are happier if they are grateful for the positive things in their lives, rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/gratitude-always-comes-into-play-research-shows-that-people-are/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [True happiness involves the pursuit of worth goals; without dreams, without risks, only a trivial semblance of living can be achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/true-happiness-involves-the-pursuit-of-worth-goals-without-dreams/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [I have always followed exactly what interests me and never really worried about the money. And when you think about it, to be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/i-have-always-followed-exactly-what-interests-me-and-never-really/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [“I used to be very beautiful,” Kamada replied. “I had hair that came down to my waist. It took me a long time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/i-used-to-be-very-beautiful-kamada-replied-i-had-hair-that-came-down/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [If one fails to develop goals that give meaning to one’s existence, if one does not use the mind to it’s fullest, then good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/if-one-fails-to-develop-goals-that-give-meaning-to-one-s-existence-if/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) [Explore all 55 Dan Buettner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) ## More Effort quotes > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. This enlightened awareness is truly unborn and marvellously illuminating; and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankei-yotaku/an-enlightened-awareness-is-within-each-one-of-us-right-at-this/) [Bankei Yotaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bankei-yotaku/) > [Now I try to make efforts, you know, I'm just, the best effort I can do is just stay sober myself. I can at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dick/now-i-try-to-make-efforts-you-know-i-m-just-the-best-effort-i-can-do/) [Andy Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dick/) > [Reading counts as partying, even if you're not enjoying it! Even if someone's forcing you to read, you can find a way to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-w-k/reading-counts-as-partying-even-if-you-re-not-enjoying-it-even-if/) [Andrew W.K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-w-k/) > [ Bernie \[Ecclestone\] is the commercial rights holder so the more outgoing the champion is, the better. Of course. I also do think about our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-ecclestone/bernie-ecclestone-is-the-commercial-rights-holder-so-the-more/) [Bernie Ecclestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-ecclestone/) > [All efforts to render politics aesthetic culminate in one thing: war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/all-efforts-to-render-politics-aesthetic-culminate-in-one-thing-war/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [Im tired, tired of putting more effort than you do. Im tired of always having to start the conversation and if I dont, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-tired-tired-of-putting-more-effort-than-you-do-im-tired-of-always/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is for the superfluous we sweat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/it-is-for-the-superfluous-we-sweat/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Only alone can you go into eternity. Only alone can you feel the transcendental light. It is not a shared experience because if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-alone-can-you-go-into-eternity-only-alone-can-you-feel-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I love a pocket. I'm about helping women look as good as possible on the least amount of effort. I want versatility and comfort.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-mccartney/i-love-a-pocket-i-m-about-helping-women-look-as-good-as-possible-on/) [Stella McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-mccartney/) > [I have often spoken of integrity as the most important of these values, realizing that integrity – and personal integrity, at that – is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verghese-kurien/i-have-often-spoken-of-integrity-as-the-most-important-of-these/) [Verghese Kurien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/verghese-kurien/) > [Grace is the power of the Holy Spirit coming to us free of charge to enable you to do with ease what you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/grace-is-the-power-of-the-holy-spirit-coming-to-us-free-of-charge-to/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [ No wonder that Churchill described this effort \[the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park\] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hilton/no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this-effort-the-british/) [Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hilton/) > [“Dreams will come true as long as you give some effort towards your goal”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dayana/dreams-will-come-true-as-long-as-you-give-some-effort-towards-your/) Dayana > [I should have liked to get married, but over many decades I have lived essentially alone. I go to sleep when I'm tired, get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-should-have-liked-to-get-married-but-over-many-decades-i-have-lived/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) [Browse all 8,602 Effort quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The gym and the treadmill is a good idea. But the problem is we spend so much effort in marketing messaging, deluding people into thinking if you get on your treadmill or you go to the gym, that's what you need. People who join a gym, the vast majority of them have quit within nine months and almost all of them have quit within two years. So if it's a longevity strategy, does not work.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dan Buettner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea-but-the-problem-is-we-spend/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Effort" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea-but-the-problem-is-we-spend/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/dan-buettner-12394_effort_the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea_3103481.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/dan-buettner-12394_effort_the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea_3103481.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/dan-buettner-12394_effort_the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea_3103481.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The gym and the treadmill is a good idea. But the problem is we spend so much effort in marketing messaging…” — Dan Buettner", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dan Buettner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The gym and the treadmill is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea-but-the-problem-is-we-spend/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-gym-and-the-treadmill-is-a-good-idea-but-the-problem-is-we-spend/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```