Health fears as weighty gym costs force Britons to give up their daily workout

• Trainer Mikey Mair puts Karyn McLaughlin through her paces at Bannatyne's gym in Edinburgh Picture: Jane Barlow

But research released today shows that while Britons are being put off regularly working out by the high fees charged by many gyms and leisure centres, they are ignoring vital health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer.

Health experts say those wary of paying hefty upfront joining fees or being shackled to monthly membership fees whether they use the gym or not could look at low-cost options such as "pay-as-you-go" 24-hour no-frills" gyms where fees can be as little as 9.99 a month.

A survey by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) found that a third of people of all ages think they are too expensive, rising to 42 per cent for 18-to-24-year-olds. This compares to 19 per cent of those aged over 55 who do not exercise because of the cost.

The survey of more than 2,000 people also shows 18 per cent blame the British weather for their lack of activity.

Time pressures caused by work and family commitments are another major reason why people do not exercise, with 36 per cent citing it. Students said they did not have enough time, with two-fifths blaming busy lifestyles for not getting active.

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The laziest group appeared to be the 18 to 24-year-olds, with a third saying they just could not be bothered to exercise.

Experts at the WCRF are worried the public are ignoring the health benefits of exercise, including the evidence that it reduces the risk of cancer.

Dr Rachel Thompson, deputy head of science, said: "It is a concern that so many people feel that cost is stopping them being more physically active."

"People can take up brisk walking or running, or start playing a sport that they enjoy.Even hobbies such as dancing or gardening can count."

Dr Thompson added: "Scientists estimate that about 10,000 cases of breast and bowel cancer could be prevented every year in the UK if we all did regular moderate physical activity.

"Studies show that regular activity can help to keep our hormone levels healthy, which is important as having high levels of some hormones can increase our cancer risk."

Helen Bogue, 28, a trainer at the Virgin Active gym in Edinburgh, said: "Many people in the 18-to-24 age range would prefer to spend their money on things like fashion or nights out.

"But what some younger people don't realise is that even if you are slim it doesn't mean you are leading a healthy lifestyle.

"People who haven't done exercise before don't know how it feels to feel good."

Ms Bogue said that as well as help fighting disease, workouts were beneficial for all age ranges.

"If you have a sedentary lifestyle sitting at a desk in an office all day you tend to get postural problems. Resistance exercises can help with this. Cardiovascular workouts are good too. It all increases the muscle mass in your body and keeps your metabolism at a good rate."

Steven Mure, general manager at Pure Gym in Glasgow, one of the low-cost range of facilities opening across the UK, said: "With the low-cost model we strip all the extras away meaning we don't have a swimming pool, sauna or steam room.

"You join online and enter by a pin number meaning we don't need a receptionist. That way we can provide a very, very good 24-hour gym at very low cost, about a third of what a normal gym would charge.

"The joining fee is 25 and the average charge is 16.99 a month, but the newly opened one in Aberdeen is 9.99 per month."