by Gabriela Yorgova and Alexandra Flores
First we had the pandemic, when many gyms and fitness classes were told to shut down, as a series of lockdowns meant that people across the UK could not leave their homes.
Now we have the cost-of-living crisis, where spiralling inflation means that gym membership is an expense that many Britons have been forced to cut from their budgets.
Will we become a nation of couch potatoes – or are people looking for more inventive ways to stay fit?
A YouGov research conducted in May 2022, revealed that as a result of the cost of living crisis, 42% of the people who previously had a gym membership (or 11% of all the adults in the UK), have cancelled it to save money.
Many young people try to find alternatives to those facilities; however, Dr Chris Papadopoulos, principal lecturer in public health and director of health research at the University of Bedfordshire, told iNews that “the cost of living crisis is in danger of creating a health and fitness crisis that would very likely worsen the nation’s wellbeing even further”.
Are free gyms the future?
At London Metropolitan University, students have access to a free-of-charge gym that is open seven days a week.
Freya Snelling, 26, an Illustration and Animation student, said: “I would have started [a membership] if I couldn’t come to this one [the London Met gym]. Usually, I’m quite lucky, my partner is a PT (personal trainer) so I would go to his gym for free… Otherwise, I don’t think I could afford to go to the gym.”
She added that she is a very active person. “I’ve had to adjust some of my training… I’m a bit of an equipment hog. I do lots of different exercises, so for me, it’s got the basic stuff.”
Lydia Bryant, 20, a Dietetics and Nutrition student, who works at the London Met gym, said she also visits the free-of-charge facility. “I go to this one and I train at the London Olympic Weightlifting Academy.”
Bryant said that she is paying for a coach. “If I was running out of money, then I would cancel [it], and try to find somewhere cheaper.”
She added that the same number of people have been visiting the university gym for the past year, even though the increase in private gym membership prices is visible.
More information about the gym facility for London Met students can be found here.
Working out at home
Naveen Rasheed, 28, an International Relations student, said: “I do like seven miles, at least 10k [steps]. I try to do 15. Gym is one of the things [I do] when I have time, but netwalks are a more social thing for me.”
Naveen doesn’t need to pay to keep fit – she does netwalking – walking in groups as you network – and she shared that it is “the best of both worlds” to her.
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