Premium health club operator, David Lloyd Clubs, has expanded its range of family activities after identifying that dads are spending less quality time with their kids.

According to research by the company, dads spend an average of six hours of quality time a week with their children and this time is decreasing.

While 73 per cent of those questioned are keen to be more involved in the day to day life of their children, only 36 per cent participate in activities with them.

Forty seven per cent say time is a problem, especially with working late. A stretched family budget is a problem for 27 per cent and being distracted by social media on their phone stops 20 per cent of men from spending more time with their children.

Eighteen per cent say they lack confidence about participating in activities they didn’t learn as a child themselves. However, 89 per cent agree that spending time doing activities with their children helps improve mental and physical wellbeing for both themselves and their kids.

These findings, along with heartwarming viral videos of dads dancing with their kids, have inspired the launch of Daddy Ballet classes.

Martin Evans, chief commercial officer at David Lloyd Clubs, says allowing dads to learn to dance with their children will inspire bonding moments and make memories: “There is a real appetite among dads to be more involved in their kids’ day-to-day at activities at a younger age. But there are still barriers stopping them from doing this and a lack of information of how they can get more involved.

“Ballet is not something which you typically associate dads doing with their kids, but we want to show them the playful nature of what’s possible, launching these light-hearted fun classes for dads and kids to enjoy.”

Olympic gold medal winning long jumper, Greg Rutherford, and his daughter, Daphne, have come on board as ambassadors: “Having the chance to get involved with my daughter by my side has been really special. There’s no quality time like it – neither of us are experts and we can learn together. For me, it’s important to take a genuine interest in my kids’ hobbies. I encourage dads up and down the country to join me in dusting off the dancing shoes!”

A range of new Signature Rebels group exercise classes for children aged eight or older to do with their mums and dads are also being offered, as well as supervised gym sessions.