June 2009
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
‘Industry has responsibility over addicts’ By Mary Ferguson THE fitness industry has been urged to take more responsibility for helping members who put their health at risk by getting hooked on exercise. Eating disorder charity Beat has called for gym operators to adopt policies and safe working practices that would reduce the risks to people with compulsive exercising conditions, often linked with illnesses like anorexia and bulimia. Susan Ringwood, chief executive of Beat, told Workout: “Our aim is to raise awareness of the problem of excessive exercising amongst the fitness industry. If gym staff suspect that someone has a problem, they should approach them, even though I appreciate that it can be difficult. If someone had a heart condition and were doing the wrong exercises for it they would tell them, and this is no different. Staff in the fitness industry should have training to include information about compulsive exercising, and how to identify the early signs and symptoms.” The charity has called for gyms to include questions about eating disorders and exercise habits in the questionnaires they ask new members to complete.
Susan said compulsive exercisers can be identified by their body shape and the frequency and intensity of their workouts. And following the call from Beat, The FIA is putting together its own guidelines for operators on how to identify and deal with those who may have a problem. CEO Andree Deane said compulsive exercise has been an issue for a long time, with the association regularly receiving letters from operators unsure of how to deal with it. She has even witnessed a member being expelled for continually exercising in the sauna, believing the heat would burn more calories. Fainting during exercise is also a risk, both to the sufferer and others around them. But Mario Pederzolli, owner of Fitrooms in Fulham, told Workout there is a clear responsibility on the member to follow advice given to them by the gym. He added: “In extreme cases of overtraining I agree we have a duty of care to highlight the associated risks, should that behaviour be observed within the club. However, we cannot be held ultimately responsible for an individual's actions, particularly if they have chosen not to follow the advice given.” I Exercise addiction: Page 21
No 189 £3
Sector is booming despite recession
Ripped gym in Harlow welcomed the TV star of Last Man Standing when he stopped by to train at the facilities. Wolé Adesemoye, pictured above, won series two of BBC show after travelling to ten different countries, canoe racing in Brazil, climbing mountains in Nepal and foot racing in Siberia.
THE health and fitness sector is booming despite difficult economic times, according to a survey. The FIA State of the UK Fitness Industry survey has revealed the sector has grown by three per cent in the last year – with revenue up to an all time high of £3.77bn. The survey – conducted by The Leisure Database Company – also revealed like-for-like membership numbers had grown by 0.8 per cent to 12.1 per cent and 114 new public and private facilities opened over the 12 month period between April 1 2008 and March 31 2009. Director of The Leisure Database Company David Minton said: “The Government’s health messages are being taken seriously by consumers who value their gym memberships perhaps over other leisure spend. “The fitness industry has maintained its performance levels and gained new members despite the difficult trading conditions. It’s also heartening to see the industry realise sustainable growth without resorting to price cutting.”