Abstract: Physical exercise promotes health has become a global consensus, the World Health Organization and national governments advocate and encourage people to participant in physical activities so as to promoting health. However, it cannot be ignored that there exists polarization of insufficient physical activity and exercise addiction. This study systematically summarized the status of insufficient exercise and exercise addiction worldwide, and analyzed the main hazards and influencing factors of the polarization phenomenon. The theory of effort minimization was applied to explore the mechanism of insufficient physical activity, and the interactional model of exercise addiction was used to investigate the mechanism of exercise addiction. By analyzing the development model of insufficient exercise, regular exercise and exercise addiction, this study proposed the following countermeasures to reduce the number of people with insufficient exercise and to avoid exercise addiction. Firstly, the awareness of physical exercise participation needs to be enhanced and the positive automatic affective evaluations should be activated. Secondly, individuals are advised to follow the regular laws of exercise loads-affective response relationships so as to experience the pleasant feelings in sports. Thirdly, special attention should be given to individuals who are more likely to be affected by exercise addiction and provide early comprehensive intervention.