'90% of Brits have post-pandemic fitness or health goal' - Decathlon

While some plan boozy reunions with friends and family, a staggering majority of Brits are embracing the spirit of a new start as lockdown restrictions ease by putting in place saintly health and fitness goals as post-pandemic freedoms are given.

According to a survey of 15,946 UK adults carried out by Decathlon as part of the Decathlon Activity Index, 9 out of 10 Brits (90%) have got a fitness or health goal they intend to pursue when covid-19 restrictions ease.

With many having had their exercise routines disrupted by restrictions – including the closures of gyms and the banning of non-professional team sports – more than 1 in 3 (36%) intend to get back into a regular exercising routine.

Nearly a third (29%) intend to take the opportunity when gyms and leisure facilities reopen by exercising more frequently than they did while restrictions were in place, as 40% admit that they have put on weight since the start of the pandemic and 36% say they don’t feel as fit.

For 1 in 3 Brits, this was due to them falling out of their normal exercise routines, while the closure of gyms and leisure facilities meant 32% felt unable to exercise at all.

More than 1 in 3 (35%) intend to lose weight as restrictions ease, with 43% confessing covid-19 has made them realise the importance of their health, while 39% say it is a good opportunity to start afresh and get into good habits.

Nearly 1 in 4 (24%) say they are being motivated by a desire to feel good ahead of an event they have coming up, like a party, night out or wedding.

With home workouts becoming the norm for many Brits throughout the pandemic, nearly half (49%), say they plan to continue with their home workout routines even when restrictions ease. While 28% intend to workout at the gym or leisure centre on their own.

Nearly a quarter (22%) say they are planning to play organised team sports again as soon as restrictions allow it, while 21% intend on attending a fitness class with other people.

Looking at the most popular sports Brits plan to participate in as lockdown eases, running (33%), swimming (31%) and fitness or the gym (29%) appeared top of the list.

The top 10 sports Brits intend to participate in as lockdown eases:

Running (33%)

Swimming (31%)

Fitness/gym (29%)

Cycling (27%)

Football (20%)

Hiking/trekking (18%)

Yoga/pilates (16%)

Tennis/squash/badminton (11%)

Camping (7%)

Fishing (7%)

The Decathlon Activity Index tracks rates of participation in sport and other physical activities across the year through a national survey repeated every month throughout the year. To view the Decathlon Activity Index, visit decathlon.co.uk/activity-index.

Decathlon has 45 stores in the UK and sells a variety of sports equipment, clothing and accessories perfect for those who want to get active, try out new sports or forms of exercise or simply lead a healthy lifestyle.

For more information, visit www.decathlon.co.uk.