Experimental and non-experimental evidence on limited attention and present bias at the gym
Abstract
We show that limited attention and present bias contribute to low levels of exercise. First, in a large randomized experiment, we find that email reminders increase gym visits by 13 % and that they benefit nearly all types of individuals. Limited attention can explain these effects. Second, using a novel dataset, we find that many bookings for gym classes are canceled, and that bookings are made even for classes that never have a waiting list. Comparing these findings to the predictions of a dynamic discrete choice model, we conclude that many gym members use bookings to commit themselves to future attendance.
Publisher
University of Gothenburg
Other description
JEL-code: C93, D91, I12
Collections
View/ Open
Date
2018-10Author
Muller, Paul
Habla, Wolfgang
Keywords
health behaviour
randomized experiment
reminders
nudging
habit formation
limited attention
time inconsistency
Publication type
report
ISSN
1403-2465
Series/Report no.
Working Papers in Economics
743
Language
eng