The lazy month?

Have you been to the Flitwick gym this year? Maybe in January? Got a fright on the scales on January 4? So the good resolutions kick in and you go in search of your younger slimmer self.


Then March comes along. I got this press release this morning which sums it up. Of course its a puff for the no contract Simply Gym chain but there is some truth in it.

March Named The Official Lazy Month 

The nation falls into "Laziness Trap" as New Year resolutions run out of steam

March has been named the month in which gym users are most likely to break their exercise routine, according to figures obtained by a nationwide fitness chain.

Over a third of those who join a gym in the New Year rush are no longer exercising by the end of March, figures showed, with many slipping back into unhealthy habits. 

"We always notice a decline as March presses on so that by April, regular gym goers are significantly fewer," said Andy Tee, Director of simplygym.co.uk, "We see people hit the 10-12 week mark in March and if they haven't seen the results they want by this point they often drop off the radar. 

"Similarly, if people do achieve their desired results they see their efforts as successful and stop going, believing they have accomplished their fitness goals". 

"Just one half an hour session can help rejuvenate your body and keep you motivated through out the day"

In addition to this, the end of March also sees the clocks go forward so lighter nights and warmer days draw people away from the gym and into more social environments such as pub gardens.

According to figures, the number of people walking away from their gym contracts is double that of previous months. Of the people who sign up for gym membership over Christmas and the New Year, 50% leave in March.

Former gym members admitted that they had fallen back into old bad habits. A third said that they now take no exercise at all; while nearly half said they had also dumped healthy eating. 

Additionally, 20% said they were drinking as much alcohol as before, while 5% had resumed smoking, despite knowing the health risks.

Former gym user Jayne said: "It was fine for a couple of months after Christmas, but it just seemed too much like hard work. I know I'm putting the weight back on, but I've got other things to do with my time."

Andy says many people are unaware how much exercise an adult should take each day, and after a short burst of fitness at the beginning of the year they still leave themselves at risk of weight gain which is strongly associated with heart problems, diabetes and many other conditions.

"March is clearly the danger month for many gym-goers," he said.