Health Club Workouts Prove More Effective Than Any Other Weight Loss Method
October 14, 2004
More than 127 million Americans embarked on a weight
loss program in 2003 and according to research conducted
by American Sports Data (ASD) and sponsored by the International
Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA),
those who did so in a health club setting were more
likely to report satisfaction with their weight loss
results than those who attempted to lose
weight by other methods.
"Health club members are at a distinct advantage when it comes to weight loss," said John McCarthy, executive director of IHRSA. "This is because the health club setting is totally unique - both in the way that it provides full-time staff and services that are specifically designed to assist members to achieve their individual fitness goals - and because the health club atmosphere fosters a sense of community, a community that is totally focused on health and well-being."
Respondents in the nationally representative survey, the IHRSA/ASD Obesity-Weight Control Report, employed a number of weight loss techniques, but the great majority of those who tried to shed bodyweight (80 percent) kept it simple by being more careful about their eating habits. Nearly half (46 percent) worked out at home, while 38 percent opted for outdoor exercise. 20 percent placed their faith in a formal diet and a similar number (19 percent) or 24.2 million embraced health club exercise as a weight loss strategy.
The results of the study prove that health club members - especially those who exercise frequently - are far more than likely than others to report successful weight loss experiences. 25 percent of all health club members who attempted to lose weight were "very" or "extremely" successful, compared with only 19 percent of weight reducers who did not attend a club. For members who exercised at their club at least 100 times throughout the year, the success rate soared to 30 percent.
Comparing weight loss methods: Percentage of Americans who reported being "very/extremely" successful by strategy:
-- 30 percent of frequent health club exercisers (more than 100 days/year);
-- 26 percent of formal dieters;
-- 21 percent of outdoor exercisers;
-- 19 percent of home exercisers;
-- 12 percent of those using diet
pills.
Additional information about the IHRSA/ASD Obesity-Weight Control Trend Report can be obtained by contacting IHRSA at (617) 951-0055.
The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is a nonprofit association dedicated to the growth, protection, and promotion of the health club industry, and represents more than 6,500 clubs worldwide. IHRSA is an international leader in health club industry education and research.
Source:http://home.businesswire.com
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