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BHF
reveals the top 10 biggest causes of "gym-phobia"
THE fear of being judged is one of the biggest
causes of "gym-phobia" in the North West, according to new statistics
released as part of the British Heart Foundation's new MyMarathon challenge.
Most of us can come up with a plethora of excuses not to go to the gym or
exercise. But a BHF poll has revealed aside from membership costs the main
reason people in the North West avoid going to the gym is feeling intimidated by
other fitter people (25%). 2nd on the list was the fear of what other people
would think of them when exercising (24%) and also not knowing or having the
confidence to use the different exercise machines (24%). Regulars always taking
over the gym (22%) was another turn off for people in the North West, whilst for
many another key barrier was not feeling fit enough to start going to the gym in
the first place (21%).
Other gym pet peeves included people showing off at the gym, as well as people
wearing lycra and grunting whilst exercising.
But you don't have to be a slave to the gym to be more active. The BHF is
challenging the nation to take on its brand new MyMarathon challenge to conquer
26.2miles over the month of May and help fund life saving research.
Runners can complete the challenge this May in a way that's a challenge for
them. Whether it's at the park, during lunchbreaks or around the streets with
friends by your side. Over a few days, a couple of weeks or the whole month; You decide the pace and you decide the place.
Sign up for free
online.
Lucy Wilkinson, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said:-
"Keeping active is vital to help improve your heart health, so it is
concerning that what's putting so many people off exercise is a fear of being
judged about how they look and their level of fitness, and feeling
self conscious around others when exercising.
Everyone should feel proud to exercise knowing they are helping to keep their
hearts strong. And now with the MyMarathon challenge you don't have to be a
slave to the gym. You decide the pace and you decide the place, so it's a great
way to get active without feeling intimidated, and help us beat heart disease."
Heart and circulatory disease affects around 7 million people in the UK and is
responsible for around 155,000 deaths each year; around 1 person every 3
minutes.
Every pound raised from MyMarathon will help the BHF fulfil its ambition to fund
half a billion pounds of new research in the next 5 years, to revolutionise and
accelerate the fight against heart disease.
To find out more or to sign up for free to MyMarathon
online.
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