THE nation’s obsession with beating the bulge in 2015 is costing more than ever before.
The Suncorp Bank Cost of Being Fit report, released today, showed Australians spend at least $8.5 billion a year on gym memberships, sports equipment and the latest fitness fads — this equates to about $2340 per household.
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Fighting the flab... Australians are spending more on going to the gym thank you might think. Source: Supplied
And almost one million Aussies are spending at least $25 a week in gym membership fees.
Suncorp Bank’s regional manager Michelle Bagnall says having a combined fitness and financial plan of attack to tackling fatness in 2015 is critical to getting bang for your buck.
“There’s this perception that we are this nation of couch potatoes but the report shows in some form there’s 94 per cent of us doing some form of physical fitness,’’ she said.
“Participating is one thing but being conscious that you are spending the money and budgeting for it, that’s a great way to get the most of what you’re budgeting for.”
The report found more than one in two Australian households (56 per cent) were unaware they contribute more than $2340 each year to the nation’s billion-dollar fitness industry.
The report also found more than 4.6 million Australians have gym memberships.
Fitness First’s national marketing manager Samantha Bragg said January is the peak time for Aussies to sign up to gyms and follow through with their new year’s resolutions to stay fit.
“We are about 15 per cent stronger (with sign-ups) this month than other months ... there is a spike at this time of year,’’ she said.
“People overindulge at Christmas and you have your new year’s resolutions so people go into the new year with all intents and purposes of getting fitter and leading a healthier lifestyle.”
The report showed the most top three fitness activities are walking, running and going to the gym.
Losing weight: Australians spend $8.5b on gym, fitness
The Suncorp Bank Cost of Being Fit report, released today, showed Australians spend at least $8.5 billion a year on gym memberships, sports equipment and the latest fitness fads — this equates to about $2340 per household.
BODY+SOUL: How to keep your fitness resolution
REVEALED: The very best diets of 2015
Fighting the flab... Australians are spending more on going to the gym thank you might think. Source: Supplied
And almost one million Aussies are spending at least $25 a week in gym membership fees.
Suncorp Bank’s regional manager Michelle Bagnall says having a combined fitness and financial plan of attack to tackling fatness in 2015 is critical to getting bang for your buck.
“There’s this perception that we are this nation of couch potatoes but the report shows in some form there’s 94 per cent of us doing some form of physical fitness,’’ she said.
“Participating is one thing but being conscious that you are spending the money and budgeting for it, that’s a great way to get the most of what you’re budgeting for.”
The report found more than one in two Australian households (56 per cent) were unaware they contribute more than $2340 each year to the nation’s billion-dollar fitness industry.
The report also found more than 4.6 million Australians have gym memberships.
Fitness First’s national marketing manager Samantha Bragg said January is the peak time for Aussies to sign up to gyms and follow through with their new year’s resolutions to stay fit.
“We are about 15 per cent stronger (with sign-ups) this month than other months ... there is a spike at this time of year,’’ she said.
“People overindulge at Christmas and you have your new year’s resolutions so people go into the new year with all intents and purposes of getting fitter and leading a healthier lifestyle.”
The report showed the most top three fitness activities are walking, running and going to the gym.
Losing weight: Australians spend $8.5b on gym, fitness
