The study intended to determine whether Gender Role Identity and Exercise Avoidance Motivation vary in terms of gender (male/female), Body Mass Index (BMI - normal weight / overweight / obese) and Exercise Habit (regular exercise/no exercise) in adults. The sample consisted of 480 participants (240 males and 240 females) between 25 to 40 years of age, subdivided into twelve groups according to their BMI and exercise habit. A Detailed Information Schedule and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were administered for screening purpose. Indian Gender Role Identity Scale (IGRIS) and Exercise Avoidance Motivation Scale were finally administered to the subjects to assess their gender role identity (masculinity and femininity) and exercise avoidance motivation. Results revealed that both gender role identity and exercise avoidance motivation varied in terms of gender, BMI and exercise habit. Males and regular exercisers and persons with normal BMI had low exercise avoidance motivation, while females, overweight and obese individuals as well as no exercisers had greater exercise avoidance motivation. © Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology.