A YouGov SixthSense report into gyms and the health clubs industry has found that location is the most pressing concern for Brits when choosing a gym.
Respondents were told to think about the gym they use most often and were asked which factors were important in choosing that gym.
- 70% of gym goers say that a ‘location close to home’ is the most pressing concern when choosing their gym
- 1 in 5 (20%) of UK gym goers require a convenient location near work
- 64% say that a ‘reasonable price is important when choosing a gym or health club, making it the most important consideration after location
Chiseled physique?
Respondents were also asked what their reasons were for going to the gym.
- 80% want to improve or maintain their general health and fitness levels
- 58% go in the hope of attaining a chiseled physique through the building of muscle
- 58% want to lose weight
- 34% of respondents said that they previously frequented gyms and health centres but now no longer do so
- The reasons given for cessation of gym activity are varied, with price the most widely cited contributing factor – 59% of former gym goers gave ‘too expensive’ as their reason for quitting
Exercise habits reflect motivations for going to the gym; the popularity of aerobic exercises like treadmill (63%), stationary bicycle (51%) and swimming (48%) are in line with a majority emphasis on general fitness and wellbeing as opposed to achieving peak physical condition.
Speaking on the findings, Research Director for YouGov SixthSense, James McCoy, said, ‘Gym goers put a strong emphasis on wellbeing. As such, regimens are skewed towards the aerobic. It is apparent that the majority of people do not require anything out of the ordinary when looking for a gym – consequently, they are unlikely to agree to extraordinarily high prices.'
