20 Sep 2021
ComRes poll: half of Brits 'not as fit as they'd like to be' during pandemic
BY Tom Walker
Half of UK adults aren't happy with their physical fitness levels, according to a study by Savanta ComRes.
A poll of more than 2,000 adults – commissioned by industry body, ukactive – gauged people's exercise habits and their attitudes towards fitness during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
When asked if they were as physically fit as they would like to be, exactly half (50 per cent) said they were not.
Only 27 per cent reported being happy with their fitness levels – the remaining 23 per cent were either unsure or neither agreed nor disagreed.
Worryingly, more than a quarter (27 per cent) of people taking part in the poll reported being less active than before the pandemic.
Roughly half (51 per cent) reported the same activity levels and 17 per cent said they were now more active than they were before the first COVID-19 lockdowns in March 2020.
Overall, less than a third (27 per cent) of UK adults say they are as physically fit as they would like to be.
Of those UK adults who were unhappy with their fitness, 12 per cent said their lack of fitness is stopping them from doing gentle everyday activities – such as showering and getting dressed, washing up, folding clothes, and strolling around the house or shops.
More than half (56 per cent) of those not happy with their fitness levels feel their fitness levels are preventing them from taking part in vigorous physical activities and sport, such as swimming or running.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “COVID-19 has taught us never to take our health and fitness for granted, and if we take one positive from the pandemic it must be a collective pledge to ensure we take good care of our bodies and minds.
“These findings highlight that millions of people are not happy with their level of physical fitness but, importantly, many want to change this and move more."
The research was commissioned by ukactive ahead of National Fitness Day on Wednesday 22 September – an annual event that will this year celebrate its 10th anniversary.
National Fitness Day 2021 will feature the theme ‘Fitness Unites Us’ and will see thousands of free and inclusive events available for anyone to try.
To get involved and/or to find activities near you (or online), visit www.nationalfitnessday.com
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