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Exercise Addiction Recovery Support

It's not just about discipline. It's about the pressure to feel enough.

At TruPaths, we know that movement can be healing but when exercise becomes compulsive, isolating, or punishing, it’s no longer about wellness it’s about survival. Whether it's tied to anxiety, body image, eating disorders, or control, exercise addiction can quietly take hold and begin to shape someone’s entire life. We're here to help you or your loved one find balance again with compassion, not criticism.

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What Is Exercise Addiction?

Exercise addiction is a behavioral pattern where physical activity becomes excessive, emotionally compulsive, and prioritized above everything else even to the point of physical or emotional harm.
It may start with fitness goals or health ambitions, but over time, it becomes a way to manage anxiety, perfectionism, shame, or a loss of control.

"I used to think skipping a workout meant I was failing. But healing taught me that rest isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. I finally move my body because I love it, not because I hate it."

— Former exercise addict, age 32

Signs of Exercise Addiction May Include:

40%

of people with eating disorders also exhibit compulsive exercise behaviors

4%

of exercisers in the U.S. meet criteria for exercise addiction

  • Exercising despite injury, illness, or exhaustion.
  • Severe guilt or anxiety if unable to work out.
  • Prioritizing exercise over relationships, work, or rest.
  • Using exercise to “earn” or “punish” food.
  • Hiding, lying about, or obsessively tracking workouts.
  • Body dysmorphia or deep dissatisfaction with physical appearance.

What Kind of Support Helps?

Healing exercise addiction starts by restoring your relationship with movement, not eliminating it.

Exercise addiction recovery isn’t about stopping movement. It’s about rebuilding trust with your body, understanding your limits, and learning to move with care instead of compulsion. TruPaths connects you with providers who support that process with compassion and insight. We guide you to:

Therapists trained in body image, trauma, and exercise compulsion

Mental health professionals who understand the complex relationship between fitness, control, and self-worth.

Eating disorder specialists (if applicable)

Support for individuals whose movement challenges are connected to disordered eating patterns

Trauma-informed bodywork and somatic therapy

Therapies that help release physical tension and emotional trauma stored in the body.

Support groups for over-exercising or perfectionism

Safe, understanding communities where shared stories reduce shame and encourage balance.

Programs for athletes, dancers, and fitness professionals

Tailored care for those whose identity or livelihood is tied to performance and physical appearance.

Gender-informed care for both men and women

Providers who acknowledge and address the unique cultural pressures each gender may face around exercise.

Therapies That Help With Exercise Compulsion

CBT & DBT:

Reframe obsessive or perfectionistic thought loops

Narrative Therapy

Rebuild confidence beyond online validation.

Somatic Therapy

Calm overstimulated nervous systems.

IFS or EMDR

For trauma and emotional healing.

Self-Worth Counseling

Helps individuals build confidence, develop a positive self-image.

Movement Therapy

Uses physical movement, like dance or exercise, to promote emotional well-being.

Featured Programs for Exercise Addiction

Healing through balance, not punishment. Our listed centers are:

Compassionate & evidence-based.

Rooted in science, delivered with empathy care that understand, not criticizes.

Equipped for co-occurring struggles

Specialized in treating eating disorders, body dysmorphia and perfectionism alongside compulsive exercise.

Focused on Balance, Not Elimination

Helping clients restore a healthy relationship with movement, without losing their identity or drive.

Inclusive & Trauma-Informed

Designed to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, athletes, and those with trauma histories.

Top Exercise Addiction Recovery Centers

View All
centers
Santa Monica, California

Solace Sober Living

  • (1.5k)
  • Burnout Recovery
  • Mindfulness
  • Shield Insurance Accepted
  • Verified National Alliance for Recovery Residences
$7,387-12,089
View Center
centers
Santa Monica, California

Solace Sober Living

  • (1.5k)
  • Burnout Recovery
  • Mindfulness
  • Shield Insurance Accepted
  • Verified National Alliance for Recovery Residences
$7,387-12,089
View Center
centers
Santa Monica, California

Solace Sober Living

  • (1.5k)
  • Burnout Recovery
  • Mindfulness
  • Shield Insurance Accepted
  • Verified National Alliance for Recovery Residences
$7,387-12,089
View Center
centers
Santa Monica, California

Solace Sober Living

  • (1.5k)
  • Burnout Recovery
  • Mindfulness
  • Shield Insurance Accepted
  • Verified National Alliance for Recovery Residences
$7,387-12,089
View Center

From the TruPaths Community

You Are More Than a Body

At TruPaths, we believe your worth is not tied to how fast, strong, or lean you are. We meet exercise addiction with love, not performance metrics—and help you build a new relationship with movement that feels freeing, not punishing. We promise:

  • To honor your lived experience, not minimize it
  • To offer support that includes the body and the heart
  • To always prioritize dignity, softness, and self-trust
“You don’t need to push harder. You need to be held softer.”

Ready to Rebuild a Healthy Relationship With Movement?

Whether you’re facing burnout, injury, or shame—we’re here to help you (or your loved one) find a more peaceful, balanced path forward.

Find Exercise Recovery Programs
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About TruPath's Recommendations

Recommendations are based on your location and recovery needs, including the programs you've explored, the services you've saved, and the filters you've used. We use this information to highlight similar treatment options so you never miss a trusted path forward.