£260m a year blown on home fitness fixes that fail
In a bid to lose weight or tone up, UK adults spent more than £1billion over the last five years on home health and fitness equipment they rarely, if ever, use, according to new research from Nuffield Health.
Three quarters of adults have bought at least one piece of equipment, ranging from treadmills to trampolines, so they can pursue health or fitness goals in the comfort of their own home. However, just 21 per cent of these people use the equipment regularly and double that (41 per cent) admit to using it briefly when they first buy it, if at all, and then giving up.
The research suggests that the average home exerciser spends £235 on equipment that doesn’t get results, with each person owning four items on average. Fewer than a third (31 per cent) of the 2,000 UK adults surveyed achieved what they set out to and the most common reasons for ditching home health and fitness routines were ‘not seeing benefits’ (39 per cent) and ‘preferring to use the equipment in the gym’ (12 per cent). In fact one in 10 people (eight per cent) hurt themselves using the equipment and had to stop.
Natalie Mumford, Director of Fitness and Wellbeing at Nuffield Health, comments: “The good intention to be fit and healthy is important, but without sticking to it, results can be hard to achieve. Exercising at home can be difficult to commit to as everyday life and distractions get in the way. At Nuffield Health we know that it is expert support and advice coupled with your commitment and a routine that is right for you that will set you on a path to success. Although trends change and the emergence of the Wii generation, who want instant results, is an example of this, the fact remains that it is through hard work and regularity that most people achieve their health and fitness goals. To help make this a reality we advise people to start by making small positive changes to their lifestyle.”
The survey revealed there are around 82 million items of health and fitness equipment currently in households across the UK, with exercise bikes, weights and workout DVDs proving most popular. Much equipment that doesn’t get used ends up cluttering up attics and spare rooms (60 per cent), while some ends up being put to other uses, including drying washing (6 per cent). One respondent reported having to put up with a disused cross trainer in their dining room because it is too heavy to move.
The three most common reasons for buying equipment were to lose weight (47 per cent), to get fitter and healthier (45 per cent) and as an alternative to going to the gym (42 per cent). More than one in 10 (11 per cent) admitted to buying items because they got caught up in a fitness trend. In response to this, Nuffield Health has launched an Equipment Amnesty, urging people to ‘give up’ equipment they’ve bought and don’t use for a free two-day pass to use at their local Nuffield Health Fitness and Wellbeing Centre.
Rachel Davies, a Health Mentor at Nuffield Health’s City Fitness & Wellbeing Centre, said: “A varied and well-rounded exercise routine and balanced diet are important to maximise your own wellbeing. Staying motivated and achieving your health and fitness goals takes commitment, but if you’re struggling to get started or you’ve been doing the same old workout for too long then, think about joining our Equipment Amnesty. It is a fun, effective, way to kick start a fitter you. Send us a photo of yourself with your old at-home fitness equipment and download a free pass to try out one of our Fitness and Wellbeing Centres – we have experts on hand to help you.”
To take up Nuffield Health’s Equipment Amnesty offer visit nuffieldhealth.com/fitness-swap.
