Dream Symbols

Exercise Dream Meaning

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Exercise in our dreams is a symbol that shows how we are currently moving in life. If you dreamt of exercising, whether it was running, jogging, cycling, walking, or playing a team sport, read on to learn what it means to dream about working out and fitness.

What it Means to Dream About Exercise

Almost everyone dreams of exercise at one point or another. Whether we dream about exercising regularly or we participate in a marathon in our dream, dreaming about working out and fitness can symbolize our need for physical improvement.

exercise dream meaning

When you dream about exercising, it usually is a reminder for us to think about our current physical health. Are we practicing healthy habits? Do we have unhealthy habits we should change?

At its very core, exercise is a symbol of energy. When we exercise, we use energy to work our muscles and get our heart pumping. After we exercise, we often feel rejuvenated and more energized than before we started working out.

When you dream of exercising, it means you need to take a look at how energy is flowing through your life right now.

Do you feel energized about what is currently happening in your life or do you feel like you are stuck in a rut, not going anywhere?

We often have dreams about exercise when we are thinking about doing something exciting and new. We might be starting a new project or thinking of ways we can improve our lives.

If you feel stagnant with where you are in life, it’s time to ask yourself what you need to do. You may need to make changes or take on a new challenge.

Think about how energy is flowing in your life. Do you feel free and able to express yourself? Or do you feel like there is something in your life that is holding you back?

Woman with fitness tracker and barbells

Examples of Dreams About Exercise And What They Mean

Here are some examples of how we might dream about exercise and what they mean:

To dream of working out means you are trying to work out a problem in your life. You are focusing your energy on making things better.

Dreaming of doing aerobics means that you are getting worked up about a situation in your life. You are putting all of your energy into a current project, so it is important to make sure you take breaks and don’t get burnt out.

To dream of stretching can mean you feel “stretched too thin”, as if you cannot deal with all the demands of daily life, or that you spread all over the place. You may feel like your energy is all over the place and you are struggling to find a focus in life.

Exercise woman stretch

Dreaming about weight lifting symbolizes strength and power. If you are able to lift weights easily, it means you will be able to deal with challenges in your life easily. If you dream that the weights are very heavy and painful, it means that you may be taking on more than you can handle.

Dreaming about jogging means that you are trying to stay “up to date” in your life. It is important to you that you don’t fall behind or be left behind by others.

To dream of running means that you need to channel your energy into some productive activity. You may be on the fast-track in life – ask yourself whether you should perhaps speed up, pace yourself, or slow down to appreciate what is going on around you.

To dream of running a marathon means that you need to look at your long-term goals and pace yourself. You may be tempted by instant gratification, but sticking it out for what you really want will yield a greater reward.

Dreaming of running on a track means that you are on track with your life. You are able to put your energy into whatever you like and find success.

To dream of being on a treadmill means you feel like you are not making any progress in your life. You feel like you are repeating the same thing over and over and never get anywhere.

man exercising on treadmill in gym

To dream that you are biking or cycling symbolizes you are staying on pace to complete a project. You are “pedaling along in life” and making steady progress in your goals.

To dream that you are swimming laps means there is a situation in your life where you have been treading water for a while and it is time to either dive in or move on.

To dream that you are walking means you are taking it slow and steady. You feel like you don’t need to rush things in life. You are balancing things in your life very well.

Dreaming about exercising in a gym can mean we have insecurities about how we appear to others. We may be worried that we are being judged in some way or that we cannot perform well enough to meet others’ expectations.

Jogging with friend

Dreaming of exercising with someone you know means that this person will play a major role in bringing about positive change in your life. The nature or type of exercise may indicate the type of assistance they offer you.

To dream that you are running or jogging with someone else symbolizes that there is a mutual support system of some kind in your waking life. You have each other’s backs, so to speak.

To dream that you are watching someone else exercise means you need to get involved in life and stop just watching it pass you by. You need to stop being idle and get moving in order to see results.

Dreaming of being exhausted from exercise means that you have been putting all your focus into a current project or situation, but have neglected yourself in some way. This dream is a reminder for you to think about what

Dreaming of being part of a sports team means that you need to cooperate with others and be a team player in order to accomplish goals. If you dream of being left out or not being picked to be on a team, it means that you should work hard to find people who understand and respect you.

Sports equipment
Sports equipment

Hockey can mean that you are thinking about making goals and reaching them. You may feel like you have to work hard to beat the opposition.

Football can mean you are ready to tackle any problems that may come your way.

Soccer means you strive when working as part of a team. You do your best when you know you can count on others to help support you in your goals.

Baseball means you are aspiring to do great things. You have a great work ethic and know that if you continue to put in the effort, you will be able to accomplish your goals.

Basketball means you are working hard toward achieving something that takes coordination with others to do well.

Tennis means that you feel you have to work hard at being the best you can. You might feel like there is a lot of back and forth in your life right now. You may be struggling to make a decision, or you may be weighing your options.

Volleyball can mean that you are trying to make a decision in your life. Your indecision can be causing more problems than the decision itself.

When playing any other sport in a dream, this symbolizes the challenges you are facing in your life right now. You need to continue working hard towards your goals, even if it seems like the odds are against you.

Dreaming that you feel tired after exercising means you are overwhelmed by your current circumstances and responsibilities. You may feel like you are putting in a lot of work but aren’t seeing the reward.

Dreaming that you need to exercise can be a sign that you need to pay attention to your own physical health. Be honest with yourself: Are you taking care of your body? Are you eating healthy and nourishing foods? You may need to think about starting a simple exercise routine like walking to work your way back into shape.

Dreaming of exercising in the rain can mean you need to find a healthy way to release your feelings. You may feel like you are putting in a lot of effort but not seeing the results.


How To Interpret Your Exercise Dream

There are hundreds of different ways we may experience the theme of exercise in our dreams, so it makes the most sense to interpret your dream based on your own personal experiences and associations with the activity in the dream.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • How did you feel about exercising in the dream?
  • What kind of exercise did you do?
  • Where did the dream take place?
  • What people were in the dream?
  • What other symbols appeared in the dream?
  • How do you physically feel right now?
  • How are you using your energy in your life?
  • Are you feeling excited about starting new projects or do you feel like your life is stuck?

Asking these things will help you get clarity on what the dream means for you and how you can apply the wisdom of the dream to your daily life.


Did you have a dream about exercise? What kind of physical fitness activities did you dream about? What does exercise mean for you? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!

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