Heart health experts are urging Britons to embrace one key fitness goal this spring and summer - having fun. A survey of 4,500 people by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) found more than two thirds believe there it too much emphasis on how exercise makes you look. Seven in 10 agreed they would be more motivated to stick with fitness habits if they focused more on enjoying themselves.
BHF senior cardiac nurse Emily McGrath said: "Exercise is really important when it comes to taking care of your heart health. Research shows that getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week can significantly cut your risk of heart disease, yet many people aren't achieving that. Focusing on having fun and enjoying yourself could be the motivation so many of us need to fall in love with exercise and movement. With the gloom of winter finally over, now is the perfect time to seek some joy and make movement something you love and look forward to."
Around eight million people in the UK live with cardiovascular disease. Being physically active can reduce the risk of a diagnosis by up to 35%.
However, an estimated one in three adults do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity.
Hugh Hanley, personal training and fitness director at PureGym, a BHF partner, said people are more likely to stick with exercise when they genuinely enjoy it.
He added: "The industry has often focused heavily on calories burned or how exercise makes you look, but the real key to long-term consistency is finding movement you actually look forward to doing.
"At PureGym, we see members succeed when they discover something that makes them feel good, whether that's a class, training with a friend, or working towards a personal challenge.
"When fitness becomes something people enjoy rather than something they feel they 'have to' do, it's far easier to build habits that last."
Survey respondents were also asked what, if anything, they believed was more important than fun when it comes to fitness.
One third said nothing was more important, while 35% said the number of calories burned was more important than enjoyment, and a fifth were more concerned about how quickly exercise builds muscle.
The BHF is also calling on the nation to sign up to a fitness challenge that could help keep them on track.
The charity offers a range of options, including the London to Brighton Bike Ride and Off Road Bike Ride, the Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim and the Strong Woman Challenge.
Sarah Choudhry, BHF director of fundraising events, said: "It's fantastic that a quarter of Brits say having fun and enjoying themselves is their top fitness goal this spring and summer.
"Creating a fun, welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who joins 'Team BHF' and takes part in our challenge events is really important to us.
"Every single person who joins 'Team BHF' is playing a vital role in helping us fund lifesaving cardiovascular research. They're also boosting their own health and wellbeing in the process - and often discovering a passion for fitness too, which can be life-changing."
