Rosenbaum's [1990. The role of learned resourcefulness in the self-control of health behavior. In M. Rosenbaum (Ed.), Learned resourcefulness: On coping skills, self-control, and adaptive behavior (pp. 3–30). New York: Springer Publishing Company; 2000. The self-regulation of experience: openness and construction. In P. Dewe, A. M. Leiter, & T. Cox (Eds.), Coping and health in organizations (pp. 51–67). London: Taylor and Francis] model of self-control depicts learned resourcefulness as a key component of the goal attainment process. Despite this model's popularity, few studies have examined its importance in the maintenance of exercise. The transtheoretical model of change has been used instead. The two models, nonetheless, share strikingly similar components with the exception of learned resourcefulness.Our 265 participants, ranging from wanting to be active to being regular exercisers, completed instruments assessing learned resourcefulness, stage of change for exercise, self-efficacy, reasons for exercising and the processes of change for exercise.As predicted, participants in the maintenance stage for exercise were on average more highly resourceful than participants in the contemplation, preparation and action stages of change. Low resourceful participants in the contemplation stage of change were the least likely to be employing strategies to help facilitate activity.Implications for exercise promoters are discussed.