In-home fitness market worth £238m in 2002

According to a new report from market research and consumer intelligence group Mintel, the British spent £238m during 2002 on in-home fitness equipment.

This was a market increase of 37 per cent from 1998’s figures.

The report, entitled In-Home Fitness, also stated that Mintel expects the amount of money spent by the British on in-home fitness equipment to rise to almost £340m by 2007, a growth rate of around 33 per cent.

Over half (53 per cent) of adults in the UK have some sort of fitness equipment at home while the most popular pieces of equipment are exercise videos, books and magazines.

Mintel consumer analyst, Jenny Catlin, said: “Exercising at home is becoming increasingly popular because people are now more aware of their health and are also changing the way they exercise.

“Doing exercise at home could also be seen as a quick fix for a bit of exercise in an age when time is often at a premium.”

A spokesperson for LA Fitness said the group strongly advises people to seek professional fitness advice before embarking on their own exercise programme.

He said: “LA Fitness has long recognised the opportunities available in the home fitness market, understanding the pressure of the real world, beyond the walls of the health club.

“Capitalising on this boom, the group has an online shop open to members and non-members, selling everything from exercise videos to stability balls and yoga mats.

“LA Fitness is also in discussions with a leading mail order company to sell own-branded home-fitness equipment.” Details: www.mintel.com or www.lafitness.co.uk