Say no to quick fixes and yes to a lifetime of wellness

Every January, one-fifth of British adults try to lose weight, with 15% feeling more pressure to do so than at any other time of year. According to a new study of 2000 people in the country commissioned by David Lloyd Clubs, nearly 64% of people admit that they have never seen success from diet and fitness fads that promise a quick fix for weight loss and wellness. With the average individual trying 17 new diets and spending over £3290 on health and fitness products in their lifetime, it's perhaps no surprise that this can leave someone feeling worse mentally.

At David Lloyd Clubs we believe that health and fitness isn’t just for January. We believe that long term health, fitness and happiness comes from a sustainable, balance and long term approach to wellness. This January we say NO to the fitness fad and YES to a lifetime of wellness.

As the UK’s fitness industry leaders, this is why we're making a pledge to highlight our commitment to only encouraging healthy habits in 2022 and beyond. We’re teaming up with Actress and TV Personality, Nadia Sawalha, to launch our brand’s leading Wellness Pledge to urge the fitness industry as a whole to adopt and embrace a commitment to responsible wellness.

David Lloyd Clubs Wellness Pledge

• We will not work with influencers who promote rapid weight loss diets and/or exercise plans or any other unhealthy or potentially dangerous fitness quick fixes

• We will not promote our clubs as a short-term, rapid weight loss solution in any of our advertising or marketing materials, but rather as a place to feel happy and healthy in your body, and achieve your long-term wellness goals

• We will train all our fitness team to coach members to develop long-term healthy habits which will empower them to be mentally and physically healthy and well for life

• We will continue to provide a wide range of activities and group exercise classes that feel inclusive and encourage people of all ages and fitness levels to be active and live long-term healthier lifestyles

• We will not promote unrealistic body standards in any of our advertising and marketing materials, and will not digitally enhance any images to alter body shape

A quick fix to disappointment

Looking back on the history of fitness quick fixes and the impact they have on our long-term health; It is now more important than ever to reject quick fixes and transition to a longer-term happier and healthier lifestyle – a lifetime of wellness.

The most common diet and fitness fads tried were Meal Replacement Shakes (18%), the Atkins Diet (17%) and the 5-2 Diet (16%), with one in ten (12%) Brits even admitting to trying Weight Loss Pills. The fitness specific fads included the Abs Toning Belt (7%), the Ab Roller (5%) and the Waist Trainer (4%). Some of the more bizarre fads included the Cabbage Soup Diet (10%), the Ice Cream Cleanse (3%) and even the Tape Worm Diet (2%).

These fads are anything but helpful however, with success seen less than a third (31%) of the time and the nation on average only lasting 56 days using them. Over two fifths (41%) cite the reason for this was because it was a quick fix rather than being manageable long-term, meaning they lost weight initially and then put it straight back on.

David Lloyd Clubs’ industry first Wellness Pledge highlights how the brand is committed to encouraging the nation to focus on their wellness and feeling happy and healthy in their bodies, rather than just trying to lose weight. It also calls on the fitness industry to join it in advertising responsibly and encouraging healthy habits this January and beyond.

A lifetime of wellness

David Lloyd Clubs provides the perfect destination to stay fit and healthy this January and beyond. With state-of-the-art gyms, heated indoor and outdoor pools, top-class racquets facilities, well equipped group exercise studios and luxurious spas, there is something for everyone to help them refresh, re-balance, relax and re-connect.