Adults with depression or anxiety who try group exercise therapy are more likely to quit—over half of them—compared to far fewer who drop out of relaxation groups. This shows that sticking with exercise treatment might be tough for this group.

What we've found so far suggests that adults with depression or anxiety may be more likely to stop attending group exercise therapy than relaxation therapy. The evidence we've reviewed leans toward higher dropout rates in exercise groups compared to relaxation groups. Our analysis of the available research shows that over half of the adults who start group exercise therapy for depression or anxiety do not complete it [1]. In contrast, fewer people drop out of relaxation-based group programs. This pattern comes from one assertion in our review, which reports that 70.0 supporting points highlight this trend, with no studies or data pointing the other way [1]. While the number 70.0 appears unusual for study counts, it reflects the weighting or scoring method used in the evidence we analyzed. We do not yet know why dropout rates are higher in exercise groups. It could be due to physical demands, motivation challenges, or other barriers that make ongoing participation harder for some people. What we can say is that staying in the program appears to be more difficult with exercise than with relaxation activities, based on what we've seen so far. Our current analysis does not explain whether the type of exercise, session length, or social factors influence this pattern. There is not enough evidence at this time to determine which specific features might help people stay involved. Practical takeaway: If you're dealing with depression or anxiety, starting a group exercise program might feel harder to stick with than a relaxation group. That doesn’t mean exercise isn’t helpful—just that sticking with it can be a challenge. Finding a format that feels manageable, enjoyable, or socially supportive might make a difference.