Determination of recreational exercise participation motives of individuals using private health and fitness centers: The sample of Balıkesir

The aim of this study is to determine the motivation levels of individuals who are members of health centers in Balıkesir and to determine whether these parameters differ in the light of various variables. In order to obtain study data, Recreational Exercise Motivation Questionnaire (REGA) developed by Rogers and Morris (2003) was used. 350 male (41%) and 504 female (59%) with a total of 854 people who are making recreational exercises, in fitness centers, in Balıkesir, participated voluntarily to this study. In the selection of the study sample, conventional sampling method and in the data collection, face-to-face survey method was preferred. In the analysis of the data, the descriptive statistical test was used to examine the distribution of the personal information of the participants and to determine whether the data were normally distributed and MANOVA was used to determine the differences. Analyzing the results of the analysis, it was determined that the participants' motivation for recreational exercise differed according to various variables (p<0.05). As a result of this study, "health", "body shape/appearance",and "skill development" are found to be the top three factors which motivate individuals to participate recreational exercise. Keywords: Recreation, motivation, exercise, participation, health and fitness centers