Exercise for the sake of fitness is not a priority for the Amish. They do not go to the gym to work out. However, physical labor is a part of Amish life and can be considered a form of exercise.
The Amish do not typically engage in formal exercise or fitness routines. Their way of life naturally involves physical activity that keeps them active and healthy.
They are moving on their feet all day.
Beyond the Gym: The Surprising Exercise Habits of the Amish
The Amish engage in physically demanding work as a part of their daily routine. Activities such as farming, woodworking, and construction provide ample physical activity.
The Amish lifestyle generally involves walking or using a bicycle for transportation, which can provide further physical activity.
The Amish people rarely rely on motorized vehicles for transportation. They usually use them when traveling over long distances.
The Amish average 14,000-18,000 steps a day
According to a study conducted by David R. Bassett Jr., professor of exercise science at the University of Tennessee, Amish men average about 18,000 steps a day, and women about 14,000.
The study involved 98 Amish adults wearing a pedometer over a week.
The study also found that Amish men spent 10 hours a week doing vigorous activities, and women about 3. Men averaged 43 hours of moderate activity a week, and women about 39 hours.
Vigorous activities include heavy lifting, shoveling or digging, or tossing straw bales.
Examples of moderate physical activities include gardening, feeding farm animals, and doing laundry.
As you can see, although the Amish don’t go to the gym to work out, they get a fair share of weekly physical activity on their farms.
Hard work is a form of exercise and walking at a fast pace is an excellent cardiovascular exercise.
What is the obesity rate for the Amish?
According to the CDC, the rate of obesity in America is currently at almost 42%. This means that 42% of the population has a Body Mass Index of 30 or higher. In contrast, only 4% of the Amish population is estimated to have a BMI above 30.
In other words, the Amish obesity rate is 10 times lower than the American average.
This is due to significant differences in lifestyle and diet between the Amish and non-Amish populations.
The traditional Amish way of life emphasizes physical labor and manual work. This provides regular exercise and contributes to lower rates of obesity.
The Amish typically consume a diet that is lower in processed and high-calorie foods and higher in whole foods that are grown or raised on their farms.
In contrast, many Americans have more sedentary jobs and lifestyles, consume more processed and high-calorie foods, and have less access to fresh, whole foods.
While the Amish typically eat a lot of meat, potatoes, gravy, cakes, pies, and eggs, they manage to fend off obesity through physical activity.