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Wayne Davies, a runner from Newtown in Powys, experienced a deep struggle when his passion for fitness turned into an overwhelming addiction. What began as a simple way to stay healthy gradually consumed him, leading to persistent anxiety and sleepless nights. He recalls being “constantly worrying” about race times, workout schedules, and analyzing fitness data, often comparing his progress to others on social media. This obsession “felt like the rug was being pulled from under my feet,” until he sought help through NHS Wales, which helped him regain control over his life.
Starting casually about ten years ago, Wayne’s running journey quickly intensified—from jogs to marathons, and eventually ultra-distance challenges such as a demanding 75-mile run around the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd. He became fixated on pushing farther and chasing faster times, admitting, “I was never happy, and always chasing the next challenge or trying to get a better time.” The disappointment of not meeting his own expectations weighed heavily on him; “it felt like the end of the world,” he said, recognizing that he rarely took the time to appreciate his accomplishments.
Wayne’s situation got worse after a heart scare during training revealed that he had atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder. Although he returned to running following treatment, his fears about the condition returning became obsessive. He hadn’t realized that fitness addiction was a real issue until he began sharing his experience and discovered he was not alone. “Since I shared the story I’ve had a lot of people saying they can relate to it,” he explained. Encouraged by family and friends, he sought professional help and engaged with the Powys-based charity Ponthafren and later completed a 12-week course through the NHS Wales SilverCloud Space from Anxiety programme, which taught him to better manage his thoughts and reduce his fixation on data.
Experts have noticed a growing awareness and an increase in people seeking help for fitness addiction. Zaheen Ahmed, head of therapy at the UK Addiction Treatment Centre, noted that fitness addiction often emerges from individuals substituting one addiction for another, such as when someone pursuing sobriety turns to excessive exercise. The rise of fitness apps and social media contributes to this problem by encouraging constant self-monitoring and competition, which can lead to compulsive behaviours. Personal trainer Dafydd Judd from Cardiff observed that calorie counting and exercise tracking apps can become highly addictive and blurs the lines between fitness and technology obsession. He emphasized the importance of recognizing when fitness habits become unhealthy and encouraged people to seek support. NHS Wales representatives also highlight that while exercise typically benefits mood and wellbeing, too much can negatively impact physical and mental health, underscoring the value of accessible mental health resources to maintain a balanced lifestyle
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