Adults living in the Deep South suffer higher rates of cancer incidence and mortality possibly related to higher rates of physical inactivity. Hence, additional information regarding physical activity (PA) barriers and benefits is needed for targeting interventions for this at-risk population. PURPOSE: To examine baseline associations between participant characteristics and PA benefits and barriers in sedentary adults enrolled in an Interactive Voice Response (IVR)-supported study in the Deep South. METHODS: Participants (N=63) completed the 43-item Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS) and 7-day Physical Activity Recall (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA]) prior to randomized allocation. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 43 ± 11.8 years with slightly more male (55.6%) and black or African American (58.7%) participants. On average, participants were obese (31.1 ± 6.9 kg/m2), and self-reported 40 ± 56 minutes per week of MVPA. Using Mann-Whitney test, overall barriers were significantly greater for those with annual incomes less than $50k vs. $50k or more (Median [Mdn] = 30.0 vs. 25.5, p = .025) and for those employed less than full-time vs. full-time (Mdn = 32.0 vs. 28.0, p = .034). No significant associations were indicated for benefits. For PA barrier subscales, Time Expenditure time was a less frequent barrier for African-American vs. other (Mdn = 2.0 vs. Mdn 2.3, p = .002) and obese vs. non-obese (Mdn = 1.8 vs. 2.3, p = .005). Physical Exertion was a greater barrier if not employed full-time vs. employed full-time (Mdn = 2.7 vs. 2.3, p = .001). Family Discouragement barriers were greater for unmarried vs. married (Mdn = 2.0 vs. 1.5, p = .014). Exercise Milieu barriers were more frequent for those with incomes less than $50k per year vs. $50k or more (Mdn = 2.0 vs. 1.4, p = .005). There were no significant associations between minutes of MVPA and EBBS or subscale scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight demographic differences in scores of barrier items related to time expenditure, family discouragement, physical exertion, and other exercise barriers. Further study is needed to examine how barriers in this population change over the course of an IVR-supported physical activity intervention. Supported by the NCI (R03CA1775) and NHLBI (T32HL105349) of the National Institutes of Health.