Table 2 Standardized CFA loadings across the three samples on the 30-item MEX two-factor model

Benefits

Exercise helps me to have a positive outlook on life

0.549

0.714

0.711

Exercise makes me feel more self-confident

0.614

0.559

0.672

Exercising gives me more energy

0.634

0.683

0.783

Exercise helps me to manage my stress

0.673

0.805

0.795

Exercise benefits my mental health

0.605

0.722

0.786

Exercise helps me to feel less angry or irritable

0.588

0.727

0.645

After exercising, I notice a decrease in my general level of worry and concern

0.588

0.681

0.670

Regular exercise makes feel me more mentally alert

0.589

0.710

0.704

Exercise helps me to feel motivated again

0.602

0.626

0.696

Exercise gives me an instant mood increase

0.598

0.720

0.743

Exercise makes me feel more energetic

0.651

0.731

0.694

Exercise helps me to cope with life's stresses

0.660

0.768

0.813

Exercise helps me manage my mood

0.626

0.782

0.761

Exercising changes my attitude

0.633

0.668

0.668

Exercise gives me a long term mood increase

0.521

0.665

0.708

Barriers

I'm too shy or embarrassed to start exercising

0.803

0.759

0.798

I feel self-conscious about exercising

0.656

0.704

0.762

I'm worried exercise will hurt

0.749

0.446

0.497

I'm not confident in my ability to exercise

0.784

0.795

0.808

Mental exhaustion stops me from exercising

0.762

0.787

0.798

I worry that I would not be very good at exercising

0.775

0.649

0.618

Exercising can trigger feelings of anxiety for me

0.786

0.733

0.800

I feel embarrassed if people see me exercising

0.785

0.486

0.498

Some days I can't get out of bed, let alone exercise

0.802

0.457

0.425

I don't want to exercise because I don’t like how my body looks

0.750

0.656

0.657

I don't want to exercise when I am angry, or in a bad mood

0.721

0.509

0.438

I worry about what other people think of me exercising

0.727

0.69

0.764

My exercise or fitness goals seem too hard to achieve

0.662

0.567

0.571

I've failed to achieve too many exercise goals in the past

0.775

0.614

0.515

I'm scared of losing my breath while exercising

0.731

0.491

0.513