Fitness enthusiasts in Washington DC have hit out at council plans to impose a ‘fitness tax’ on wellness facilities, warning the move could price poor people out of physical activity.

With nearly 35 per cent of US adults classified as obese, the proposals to subject Washington's gyms, tanning salons and yoga studios – among other businesses – to a 5.75 per cent sales tax from 1 January 2015 have met with opposition.

A “Say NO to DC Gym Tax” Facebook group has about 750 members, while an online petition urging a council U-turn has attracted more than 2,671 signatures.

Graham King, owner of Roam Fitness in Glover Park, recently organised a protest entailing a group exercise session outside the Mayor’s office. King is worried the tax will discourage poorer residents from working out, which could lead to the exacerbation of the nation’s health crisis.

“The yuppie will still do yoga,” he told the Washington Post. “It’s the person on the fringe who maybe won’t be able to afford to go to a gym.”

The council says its broad raft of tax changes is designed to offset a long-term consumer shift from spending on goods toward spending on services, while leaving the majority of residents better off.

The DC Tax Revision Commission spent a year and a half studying taxation in the district and believes the changes could leave taxpayers US$225m (€166m, £134m) better off over the next five years.

The DC Council initially backed the proposals during a meeting at the end of May, with a final vote due to take place later this month.