Q&A
As health and fitness providers we have a responsibility to support people’s wellbeing
Get real Social media influencers cause harm by raising unrealistic expectations of physical perfection, as Andrea Dearden explains David Lloyd Clubs has launched a new pledge. What’s the purpose of it?
Our Wellness Pledge highlights how we as a brand are committed to encouraging the nation to focus on their wellness and feeling happy and healthy in their bodies, rather than just trying to lose weight. It also calls on the fitness industry to join us in advertising responsibly, avoid encouraging quick-fix solutions to weight loss and promote long-term healthy habits. We believe it’s an industry first.
What inspired this move?
Our Wellness Pledge was created following research we commissioned that showed 64 per cent of people admit they never see success from diet and fitness fads that promote a weight loss quick fix, with the average individual trying 17 new diets and spending £3,290 on health and fitness products, only to see them fail. Our pledge, therefore, encourages the nation to say no to these fitness fads, and instead focus on making healthy choices that fit into their lifestyle so they’re happier and healthier in the longer term. What outcomes are you seeking?
PHOTO: DAVID LLOYD LEISURE
As an industry we know quick fixes not only don’t work, but can also damage people’s mental well as physical wellbeing, so we want to see more fitness brands behave responsibly and stop selling products that promise short-term results, but have limited long-term success. As health and fitness providers we have a responsibility to support people’s wellbeing and should regulate ourselves to ensure that we all operate to the highest standards. Tell us about the study that was done to evidence the need for this initiative
We conducted research in conjunction with 4Media, where a representative sample of 2,000 UK adults was Andrea Dearden
