AusLeisure

A survey into New Zealander’s gym habits has revealed that three quarters of Kiwi gym members say that their membership has "helped them achieve their goals, whether they be fitness, muscle gain or weight loss.”

The survey, conducted by consumer research company Canstar Blue, found that gym goers aged over 70 are most likely to have achieved their goals with the help of the gym with 100% reporting that they have attained the results they were after from the gym.

However, the survey also found that a third of New Zealanders feel intimidated by all of the toned bodies they see at the gym, with people under the age of 30 most daunted by the bodies at the gym.

Explaining the findings, Canstar New Zealand General Manager Jose George stated that potential gym goers "in Otago are the most likely of the regions to feel the pressure from the fit bodies around them with 50% feeling intimidated at the gym, while just 21% of those in the Bay of Plenty feel the same."

The survey also found the social and dating benefits of gyms with 11% of Kiwi gym goers having dated someone they have met at the gym. Men are leading the dating game with 17% finding their partner in the midst of an exercise regime, compared to women at just 6%.

Despite the possibility of meeting a suitor in the weights room, 17% of New Zealanders would pay more for a single-sex gym. One gender gyms are most wanted by those in Otago (22%).

As for social benefits, 42% of Kiwi gym goers identified the gym as an important part of their social life (42%) - a finding especially true for those aged over 70 years (84%).

Close to 30% of Kiwis (28%) start an exercise programme as part of a New Year’s resolution but fail within weeks with George believing that this could be because more than half say that they don’t go to the gym as much as they thought they would (54%).

George explains "women feel especially guilty when they miss a session at the gym (71%) compared to men at 64%.

"Remorse for missing a workout is a common Kiwi theme with 68% of Kiwis feeling the shame when they don’t make it to the gym.”

The number one barrier for people getting to the gym is lack of time (59%) followed by cost (14%) and intimidation and lack of enjoyment from exercising in front of other people (13%).

Despite cost being cited as a factor in gym attendance, the survey found that a quarter of those in the Bay of Plenty spend more on designer gym clothes than they do on their gym membership.

Image courtesy of Les Mills.

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