Do I have an exercise addiction? Take the test at the private practice of online psychologist Patric Pförtner.
Psychologist Patric Pförtner

Patric Pförtner

M.Sc. Psychologist, Doctoral Researcher

Test: Exercise Addiction and Compulsive Training

Do you ask yourself: "Is my training still healthy?", "Am I training too much?" or "When does exercise become an addiction?" These questions matter, because the line between healthy exercise and addictive behaviour is often blurred.

Do you recognise yourself in these situations?

  • You keep training despite injuries or illness?
  • You feel guilty when you cannot train?
  • Exercise takes absolute priority in your life, even over social contact?
  • You continuously increase your training volume?

This test helps you assess whether your exercise behaviour may have taken on problematic features and which factors could play a role.

Originally written in German — read the original here: Sportsucht-Test.

Exercise Addiction Test: 15 Questions

All questions refer to the last 14 days. The answer options are scaled like a grading system — the first option counts as one point, the last as five. Choose one answer per question and click Evaluate Now at the end.

1. Do you feel uncomfortable or irritable when you cannot train?

2. Do you plan your day so that you can find time to train no matter what?

3. Do you neglect other hobbies or social contacts in favour of exercise?

4. Do you keep training even when you are injured or exhausted?

5. Do you feel guilty when you skip a training session?

6. Do you feel bad if you do not feel that you have achieved enough?

7. Do you use exercise to cope with negative feelings such as anxiety or sadness?

8. Have friends or family already commented that you exercise too much?

9. Do you keep feeling that you have to train more and more in order to be satisfied?

10. Do you risk your health in order to reach your training goals?

11. Do you often feel stressed or restless when you cannot access training facilities?

12. Have you ever given up sleep or other important activities to train more?

13. Is exercise a central part of your identity and self-worth?

14. Do you strictly count calories or follow nutrition plans to optimise your athletic performance?

15. Do you feel that you cannot be happy without exercise?

This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional — such as a doctor, psychiatrist or psychotherapist — can advise you on the next steps.

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"Most arguments aren't the argument you think you're having."
"Trust doesn't grow through words. It grows through repetition."
"A strong relationship isn't one without conflict — it's one where you find your way back."
Psychologist Patric Pförtner is a registered full member of the BDP

Quality seal for psychological counselling awarded by the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP).

 Registered full member of the BDP

Registered full member of the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP).

 Online psychological counselling quality seal

For my work, the BDP has awarded me the "Counselling by Psychologists" quality mark.