New Research Adds Weight to Exercise Helping Dieters Shed Pounds

LONDON, November 25, 2010 - Dieters should add regular exercise to their programmes in a bid to shed
those extra pounds - and keep them off.

Latest research reinforces the importance of combining healthy eating and
exercise with more than 90 per cent of those opting for this combination
reporting it as a successful weight loss formula in the Fitness First study.

The research into the effectiveness of diets alone, and alongside regular
exercise, also gives a resounding thumbs up to the sensible approach of
steady weight loss and exercise with dieters shunning the more extreme and
niche diets as ineffective in the long term.

Exercise three or four times a week was judged to provide the best
complement to dieting, a realistic aim for those looking to lose weight.

Fitness First surveyed more than 2,000 people on their diet and fitness
habits and the results also reinforce how many more women than men sample
different diets with 55 per cent of women dieting and just 23 per cent of
men.

However both men and women favour diets such as WeightWatchers, Slimming
World and Slim Fast over lesser known options such as the Duken or Maple
Syrup diets.

Derek Crawford, UK national fitness manager for Fitness First, said, "It
is good to see so many people taking up exercise to help keep them in shape
but the key is to incorporate an enjoyable fitness regime into your lifestyle
which is a common sense approach to keeping fit and healthy.''

He said men were keener to incorporate fitness into the weight loss
programme but said that it was important for everyone to exercise regularly.

    Five most popular diets

    Women

    WeightWatchers
    Slim Fast
    Slimming World
    Atkins
    Rosemary Conley

    Men

    WeightWatchers
    Atkins
    Slim Fast
    Slimming World
    Rosemary Conley

Notes to editors

Twitter: www.twitter.com/FitnessFirstUK

Fitness First is the largest privately owned health club group in the
world with over 540 Fitness First clubs worldwide reaching over 1.4 million
members in 21 countries. In the UK alone there are 159 Fitness First clubs
with over 405,000 members.

Fitness First is a member of the Fitness Industry Association (F.I.A),
the industry trade body which represents both private and public
organisations that are involved in the fitness industry, visit
www.fia.org.uk.

For further information please contact: Alyson Marlow at Leepeckgroup on +44(0)23-8063-2211 or email: alyson at leepeckgroup.com