What can machine learning teach us about habit formation? Evidence from exercise and hygiene
30,110 gym members, over 12 million observations; 3,124 caregivers, over 40 million observations; median time to habit formation 4 to 7 months for the gym and 9 to 10 shifts for handwashing; time lag since last visit the most important predictor; more predictable gymgoers responded less to the StepUp intervention; no 'magic number' of days.
30,110 gym members, over 12 million observations; 3,124 caregivers, over 40 million observations; median time to habit formation 4 to 7 months for the gym and 9 to 10 shifts for handwashing; time lag since last visit the most important predictor; more predictable gymgoers responded less to the StepUp intervention; no 'magic number' of days.
Written from the full text read 2026-10-12.
What our sources record
Reproduced as it was written when this source was checked, figures and all.
doi:10.1073/pnas.2216115120. Full text read: 30,110 gym members, over 12 million observations; 3,124 caregivers, over 40 million observations; median time to habit formation 4 to 7 months for the gym and 9 to 10 shifts for handwashing; time lag since last visit the most important predictor; more predictable gymgoers responded less to the StepUp intervention; no 'magic number' of days.