FIA response to criticism
May 22nd 2008
Andree Deane, chief executive of the Fitness Industry Association (FIA), responds to Peta Bee’s article in Tuesday’s G2 magazine about her preference for exercising outside. Andree argues that the Bee’s image of the “world outdoors” is far too idyllic and says that, for much of the population especially those in urban areas, green spaces are “less of a mental and physical sanctuary than a wasteground or a piece of wishful thinking”. She says running outside in dark backstreets buffeted by winds, car fumes and rain is a far cry from the idyll described by Bee. Andree points out that the “obscure sports” such as “grass boarding” that Bee applauds are expensive and for most a luxury rather than a staple of a fitness regime.
Andree goes on to argue that the safety, comfort and motivation afforded by gyms or leisure centres should be applauded rather than condemned and regarded as a complement rather than an alternative to outdoor activities. Andree says the FIA’s 30,000 gym instructors can tailor a workout to increase performance in other areas such as running or football with targeted resistance training, interval training, guidance in posture and heart-rate maintenance. Andree claims that this explains why the number of people taking part in outdoor exercise and extreme challenges has occurred alongside a growth in gym retention. Andree says that, contrary to what Bee states, gym membership has increased, not decreased throughout the industry – Deloitte has publicly admitted that their figures refer only to a very small percentage of the private sector. Andree states that overall membership levels are up on last year and there has been an increase in the number of facilities opening in the past 12 months.
Andree finishes by saying there is genuine concern in the fitness industry that levels of the inactivity in this country have pushed obesity to catastrophic proportions. She feels it is time for critics to stop demonising health and fitness clubs and to recognise that they provide a valuable service that actively encourages and benefits exercise of all kinds.
(Guardian, p41, Andree Deane 12 col.”)
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