October 2019
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Facilities celebrate reaching shortlist
Kids are behind their parents in the fitness race A WORRYING number of British children are less active than their parents, new research has revealed. A survey of more than 7,600 UK adults published in the Decathlon Activity Index 2019 shows that kids are the least active family members when it comes to monthly exercise levels. When describing their families’ monthly activity levels, almost two thirds (64 per cent) of parents said they believe they are fitter than their child, with 77 per cent saying that they exercise more than their child does, even with regular PE lessons factored in. This is something that worsens as children age, as 93 per cent of parents said they feel they are fitter than their adult children – with both sexes being in agreement on this. Chris Allen, market manager at Decathlon, said: “It’s really concerning to see how unfit kids are and just how few families are exercising together. “The research also looks into the activity levels of adult children, revealing how they too are less active than their parents – suggesting that learned habits from childhood are affecting activity levels in their adult lives. “Children today are pursuing
less active and exercise-based past-times; the key is to make it fun for them by finding a sport or form of exercise they genuinely enjoy. “Making exercise a more social occasion, by getting friends or the whole family involved is a great way to introduce an active lifestyle to kids.” Over three quarters (79 per cent) of parents surveyed said that their family makes no effort to exercise. Furthermore, only 11 per cent said they exercise together with their family. The findings that kids are the least active family members complements recent research published by NHS Digital which showed obesity levels in children aged Year 6 has increased to 20.1 per cent in the past year – which is more than one in five children. Only 31 per cent of children hit or exceed the daily recommended 10,000 steps walked per day. This was something even fewer grown up children managed to do -– with just 27 per cent of adult children managing to regularly walk 10,000 steps daily. The Decathlon Activity Index tracks rates of participation in sport and other physical activities across the year through a national survey repeated every month throughout the year.
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A man who was told he was on his way to an early grave when he reached 40 stone has completed the Great North Run. Darren ‘Dibsy’ McClintock, 28, lost 19 stone in a year to take part in half marathon, completing the course in two hours and 43 minutes. Mike Hind, CEO of MAS Body gym, has helped him throughout the weight loss. He said: “I told him if he listened, trusted and believed I would lose him 20 stone and make him do things in life he never thought were possible. Over the last 11 months his life has flipped upside down and together we have achieved some amazing challenges – one of them being climbing the Ben Nevis. 11 months into our journey we have dropped 19 stone, taking his current weight to 21 stone 2lbs. I hope this can inspire other coaches to help their clients who feel they have nowhere to turn, and for clients to believe in themselves and realise that with the right support and guidance what once may have seemed impossible can become reality.”
EXCITING plans are well underway for the 10th National Fitness Awards, as gyms around the UK celebrate making this year’s shortlist. The awards evening will celebrate excellence throughout the industry, with trophies in over 20 categories up for grabs on the night of November 29. More entries than ever before from gyms as far afield as Aberdeen and Tavistock have made the finals, now progressing to the next stage of the judging process; a visit from a member of the Workout team to take a look around their facilities and chat to members and staff. Following the visits, comprehensive reports will be complied to then be passed on to an expert judging panel. This year’s judges includes fitness entrepreneur Katie Bulmer-Cooke and Steve Johnson – co-owner of the multi award winning Tops Fitness and Rehabilitation. Completing the line-up is Ragdale Hall Spa senior manager Dean Hodgkin and Barnsley Premier Leisure chief executive Tim Wilson. See page 6 for more.