FITNESS enthusiasts in some parts of Scotland have the poorest access to gyms and health clubs in the UK, according to new research.
A study by market analysts reveals Dumfries, Dundee and Glasgow are among the UK towns and cities with the fewest gyms per head of population.
The worst-performing part of the UK is west London, which has 10,626 likely gym users for every facility
. Second worst is Dumfries with 8,240 and third worst is Dundee with 7,685.
The research was carried out by leisure market analysts CACI, which examined data for all UK health clubs. The firm's researchers looked at population figures which showed the number of people in each area who are likely gym users based on their age and demographic profile.
They then calculated the number of gyms per likely user. They assessed the number of health clubs in each area by collecting data on premises with alcohol licences, which they believe the majority of private gyms offer.
According to the data, Paisley and Perth are among the UK towns with the highest number of health clubs per likely user. Paisley is fifth highest in the UK with just 1,806 per facility, and Perth is seventh with 1,940. The UK average, according to the analysts, is 3,616 likely gym users per facility.
The data suggests some Scots who find it difficult to exercise may be put off by a lack of local facilities or oversubscribed health clubs.
The most recent studies show that Scots are still finding it difficult to meet recommended levels of exercise of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity at least five days a week. Just 44% of men and 33% of women are meeting these levels. The Scottish Government's target is that 50% of adults should meet these guidelines by 2022.
Scotland on Sunday recently revealed that doctors are now recommending that overweight and obese individuals should take 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day if they are to fight the flab successfully.
Simon Power, a managing consultant for CACI, said that the figures would offer health club chains the opportunity to examine where there may be opportunities to open new facilities.
"Scots want to be fit and the recent success of Team GB in the Olympics means that fitness fever seems set to continue," he said. "However, with their facilities coming under this much strain, clubs face a stark choice – turning away those that want to keep fit or operating over-subscribed facilities. Neither are good news for people wanting to keep active.
"Health clubs are generally built to cater for around 3,000 users, so Scotland's facilities are being put under strain to accommodate significantly more."
He added: "The message for health club chains and independent gyms alike is to focus any new openings on those areas of Scotland where supply clearly isn't meeting demand. Keeping fit can be difficult enough without having to fight your way to the weights, the rowing machines or the pool."
The full article contains 517 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
