A new year excuse not to get on your exercise bike

BUYING an exercise bike to beat the post-Christmas bulge is unlikely to result in the desired fitness benefits, according to new research by consumer watchdogs.

Sales of exercise machines, including bikes and cross trainers, soar in the new year as consumers strive for a new healthy lifestyle regime. But a series of tests organised by consumer magazine Which? found that the machines failed to help people improve their fitness.

Which? gave seven volunteers a selection of equipment, costing between 400 and 1,300, and asked them to use the machines at home for three months. At the end of the trial period the testers reported that they had enjoyed the convenience of being able to exercise at home whenever they wanted. However, most thought that having the machine had not made them fitter or healthier or even encouraged them to exercise more.

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The single biggest problem cited by the testers was that the good-quality exercise machines simply took up too much space and didn’t provide varied enough exercise.

Those who lived in flats or terraced houses found their regime limited by concerns that the noise would disturb neighbours. Another two testers admitted that they missed the gym’s encouraging environment and the air conditioning.

Avril McKenzie, an Edinburgh-based personal trainer, said people who buy exercise machines often do it without considering their goal.

"People don’t really know why they’re buying it," she said. "Many of them don’t realise what it actually takes to get fit. In fact, in my experience, some people buy the machines without even trying them to see if they’re any good or even what they really want.

"In the end, they last just two weeks and either abandon it through boredom or because they’re not seeing the results they hoped for - which are usually pretty vague, anyway. The machine just becomes something to dry clothes on."

Mrs McKenzie said part of the problem, beyond will power, was that people tended to either underestimate or overestimate their ability, which resulted in them either hurting themselves by overdoing it, or not making sufficient effort to have an impact on their health.

"Using one machine really isn’t enough," she added. "You need to get some variation into any exercise regime. Runners do things other than just run.

"Ultimately, it comes down to expectations. If people go in expecting to lose two stones within a month of exercise, then it’s not going to work. They have to look at their diet as well.

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"Owning an expensive piece of fitness machinery on its own isn’t enough."

In its conclusion, Which? echoed Mrs McKenzie’s opinions, and warned against anyone hoping that the purchase of an exercise machine would be the key to fitness.

The report said: "Our testers’ experience suggests that a single exercise machine is not going to be the magic solution to your fitness worries.

"So, before splashing out on one, think about whether you have the space, time and motivation to make an exercise machine work for you."

However, while Which? warned about making such purchases, for those who do sell exercise machines, the pressure at the beginning of the year to get healthy is unavoidable.

"January is always an excellent time for the exercise industry," said John Flemming, owner of the Airdrie equipment shop Fitness Takeaway. "There’s absolutely no need to advertise during this month; it’s all on television - people being encouraged to get out and get fit, and they come to us for help."

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