PayasUgym, the online gym pass provider, is trialling a programme that will see private gyms receive GP-referred patients and help tackle the UK’s inactivity epidemic.

With inactivity estimated to cost the UK £10bn a year, the onus is on the health and fitness sector to step forward and harness the power of exercise to tackle related conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

At present, NHS exercise referrals can be made by GPs to just 300 local authority centres across the entire UK for people with certain conditions. However, the PayasUgym programme enables GPs to refer patients for a free exercise session at a much wider range of gyms and leisure facilities than the current NHS scheme allows.

Under the scheme, patients receive £5 free credit from PayasUgym – in line with the average cost of a day pass bought through the site – to use at any of the 2,200 gyms in its network. PayasUgym has also said it will donate £5 to charity for every referred patient that visits the gym.

The programme is currently being trialled by 8,000 GPs in London, with plans to roll it out across the UK if it proves a success.

The big question mark hangs over whether a free visit will provide enough motivation for inactive people to change their lifestyles. After the first session, participants will be able to purchase passes through PayasUgym, with £5.70 the average cost for a UK one-day pass on the site – compared to the subsidised rate of £1.50-£5 currently offered under the NHS exercise referral scheme.

Another challenge will be demonstrating the effectiveness of the programme – an area that has so far proved problematic for exercise schemes – however one GP believes the ease of use will be a hit with patients.

“Having used PayasUgym.com before I became aware of this trial programme, I can see how the huge choice of gyms will benefit patients,” said London-based GP registrar Dr Feyi Taiwo.

“Convenience is a large factor in the likelihood of a person becoming a regular exerciser and if a patient is in need of or could benefit from prescribed exercise, I wouldn’t hesitate to refer them using this programme as there is so much to choose from.”