Your favorite things: we asked 5,000 Shape readers to tell us what they love best in workouts, food, clothes, gear, beauty products and more. See how you compare - Shape Readers' Choice Awards 2002

Shape, August, 2002 by Jenna McCarthy

How often you work out

You exercise an average of 3.7 times per week.

What the expert says "Way to go, Shape readers!" cheers Margo L. Faiman, a spokesperson for the Boston-based International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). "According to our own Trend Report, you go through the gym doors more often than 60 percent of people who belong to health clubs."

Your motivation

Managing your weight is the No. 1 reason you work out (22 percent). You also do it to

* look better (21 percent)

* feel better, mentally and emotionally (15 percent)

* be healthy (14 percent)

What the experts say "I would lump together 'to feel better physically, mentally and emotionally,'" Faiman says. "Exercise just makes you feel better all over. So while a main goal is to lose weight and look better on the outside, the primary benefit of exercise is to feel better on the inside. And isn't that what really counts?"

Your reward

Above all else, working out makes you feel better physically (22 percent). It also helps you

* feel better, emotionally and mentally (20 percent)

* look better (13 percent)

* stay healthy (11 percent)

* maintain your weight (9 percent)

What the expert says "This proves my earlier point," Faiman says. "Exercise is time out of the day when you can focus on you -- not the kids, or the husband, or the boyfriend, but you -- and that makes women feel. good all over. Exercise boosts the mind as well as the body."

Why you miss workouts

* no time (27 percent)

* too tired (23 percent)

* don't feel like it (19 percent)

* have too much work (11 percent)

What the experts say To get out of the excuse trap, schedule your workouts the same way you'd schedule any other important engagement. "If the time on your calendar is part of your day, just like a meeting or a hair appointment, you'll be less likely to cancel," Faiman says. Scheduling workout dates with a friend also can keep you accountable.

If you really can't find an uninterrupted stretch of time, Tyne suggests mastering the 10-minute workout: "Have a quick routine of push-ups, crunches and squats, pop in a video or run around the block a few times." (See page 152 for our 10-minute strength and cardio quickies.)

Your fave cardio machine

* treadmill (43 percent)

* elliptical trainer (27 percent)

* stair climber (11 percent)

* bicycle (9 percent)

* rower (2 percent)

What the expert says The latest IHRSA/ASD Health Club Trend Report found the treadmill on top as well. "The treadmill is as easy as walking," Faiman says. "You get on and go." Plus, with the varying speeds and incline settings, anyone can use it, and it never becomes obsolete. But as with any form of exercise, if you want to keep seeing results [on the treadmill], you have to continually raise the bar and push yourself.

Workout gear: fantasy vs. reality

What you'd like to own

* treadmill (40 percent)

* elliptical trainer (22 percent)

* free weights (21 percent)

* physioball (21 percent)

What you actually own

* free weights (65 percent)

* abdominal-workout device (32 percent)

* treadmill (25 percent)

* resistance bands or tubing (24 percent)

* step (22 percent)

* stationary bike (20 percent)

* physioball (16 percent)

* home gym (12 percent)

* stair climber (9 percent)

* cross-country ski machine (8 percent)

* elliptical trainer (4 percent)

* rowing machine (3 percent)

* Bowflex (1 percent)

Your main body-improvement goal

* to lose weight (36 percent)

* to get visible muscle definition (21 percent)

* to develop a specific body part (20 percent total: abs, 12 percent; thighs, 5 percent; butt, 3 percent)

Your favorite class

* kickboxing (18 percent)

* aerobics (step, water, Latin, etc.; 17 percent)

* dance (11 percent)

* yoga (10 percent)

What the expert says "Classes in general have become more popular -- especially since Sept. 11," says Faiman. "People just need to be around other people."

Last year, 71 percent of you worked out with free weights. This year, 65 percent of you do.

Your workout partner

* no one (50 percent)

* a friend (28 percent)

* your mate (10 percent)

What you listen to when you work out

* pop music (24 percent)

* hip-hop (21 percent)

* rock (18 percent)

* techno (7 percent)

* alternative (7 percent)

Where you work out: fantasy vs. reality

You'd like to work out at

* the gym (34 percent)

* home (19 percent)

* a hiking trail (12 percent)

* your neighborhood (8 percent)

* the beach (7 percent)

You usually work out at

* the gym (47 percent)

* home (34 percent)

* your neighborhood (10 percent)

* a bike path (2 percent)

* a hiking trail (1 percent)

Your favorite fitness role model (in order of popularity)

1. Madonna

2. Gabrielle Reece

3. Jennifer Lopez

4. Cindy Crawford

Last year

1. Gabrielle Reece

2. Cindy Crawford

3. Oprah

4. Madonna

stuff you love

When you're in the market for ...  You buy one of these favorites ...
                                   (in alphabetical order)

active

Athletic wear                      adidas, Champion, Nike
Hiking shoes                       Merrell, Nike, Rockport (at left,
                                   above), Timberland
Running shoes                      New Balance, Nike, Saucony (at
                                   left, below)
Trail-running shoes                New Balance, Nike, Timberland
Walking shoes                      New Balance, Nike, Reebok
Home cardio equipment              Nordic Track, Precor, StairMaster

life

Anti/perspirant/deodorant          Dove, Lady Speed Stick, Secret
Water                              Aquafina, Dasani, Evian
Breakfast bar                      Nature Valley, Nutri-Gravin, Quaker
Energy bar                         Balance Bar, Luna, PowerBar
Automobile                         BMW, Jaguar, Lexus
SUV                                Chevy, Jeep, Lexus
Pain medication                    Advil, Aleve, Tylenol
Coffee                             Folgers, Maxwell House, Starbucks
Frozen entree                      Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, Smart
                                   Ones
Sports drink                       Gatorade, Powerade, SoBe
Yogurt                             Breyers, Dannon, Yoplait
stuff you love

When you're in the market for ...  You buy one of these favorites ...
                                   (in alphabetical order)

style

Watch                              Fossil, Seiko, Swiss Army, Timex
                                   (shown)
Casual wear                        Banana Republic, Gap (hat and
                                   jacket shown), Old Navy
Foundation                         Clinique, Cover Girl, Mary Kay
Lipstick                           Clinique, Cover Girl,
                                   Estee Lauder, M.A.C
Facial moisturizer                 Clinique, Neutrogena, Olay
Shampoo/conditioner                Aveda, Clairol, Matrix, Pantene
Sun care                           Banana Boat, Coppertone,
                                   Neutrogena
Body moisturizer                   Jergens, Lubriderm,
                                   Vaseline Intensive Care
Mascara                            Cover Girl, L'Oreal, Maybelline
Perfume                            Chanel, Clinique, Estee Lauder
Casual/dress shoes                 Aerosoles, Enzo Angiolini,
                                   Nine West, Skechers
Intimate apparel                   Bali, Hanes, Jockey,
                                   Victoria's Secret
Jeans                              Calvin Klein, Gap, Levi's
Sunglasses                         DKNY Eyes, Oakley, Ray-Ban
Swimwear                           Jantzen, Lands' End, Speedo