Fitness fads rife but not enough exercise

THE nation’s addiction to fighting flab will see consumers splash more than $4.7 billion in 2018 on the latest fitness fads including programs, activewear and sporting gadgets.

While many people will be determined to lose their festive bulge by making a new year’s resolution to get fit and look fabulous, they too are likely to be facing a financial hangover.

New research from the Commonwealth Bank, has revealed 57 per cent of people have a goal to get fit this year but many could simply be wasting their money on fitness fads.

The data, crunched by ACA research and the first of its kind in this field, found Australians spend $712 million a month on health and fitness activities — the equivalent to $38 a person — and only 36 per cent of people say they get good value out of their health and fitness spending.

S t e v e “Commando” Willis, of TV fitness fame, said consumers shelled out too much money on fitness fads and did not focus enough on working up a sweat.

“People are hoping that all of these things whether they are gadgets, clothes or programs are their saving grace and they are investing a lot of personal time and energy and their hard-earned money into it,’’ he said.

“They think it will help them tone up or buff up ... but there’s isn’t enough action.

“It’s the activity that people are overlooking that’s going to get them where they want to be.”

“Be aware of that compulsion just to buy something because someone else has it.”

The research also found we have an addiction to fitness trackers — one in five people purchased a fitness tracker in the past year.

And on Australians’ shopping lists in 2018, activewear (18 per cent) and trainers (17 per cent) are among popular purchases.

CBA’s executive general manager Clive Van Horen said there are plenty of ways consumers can track their spending on banking apps and ensure they are not wasting money on these types of fads.

“A large number of people are spending money on sport and fitness equipment they never use,’’ he said.

Steve ‘Commando’ Willis