Exercise in Wales

Almost 70% of people take some form of exercise Only 29% exercise enough to benefit health 31% never take any exercise at all

And while standards of public facilities vary greatly, the high cost of private health clubs was putting many people off taking up a more active lifestyle.

Two thirds of people in Wales take part in some form of physical recreation - but less than a third do enough exercise to benefit their health.

Almost a third of the population never take part in any form of exercise - one of the reasons why half the population is classed as obese.

The council's figures also show huge variation in the provision of leisure facilities across Wales.

Lack of information

The council concluded that public leisure centres varied significantly with regard to opening times, prices, and the provision of activities and equipment.

It also found that, while private health clubs were on the increase, there was little information provided about them.

The survey indicated that private clubs were only used by a small percentage of the population.

More than one of five of those who did exercise said the main reason they did not use private facilities was because they were too expensive.

Partnership

The Consumer Council's Dr Chris Llewellyn said the provision of affordable facilities across Wales needed to be reviewed.

"We can't have a situation where people's access to facilities depends on the money they have at their disposal," he said.

The council criticised the lack of any clear policy to promote individual exercise in Wales

It said there was a gap in health promotion policy that excluded those who were not already "sporty and fit" or who were not "sick and vulnerable."

The council recommended that strategies to improve health through promoting increased exercise needed to take in place in partnership with the health authorities and social services as well as the leisure and fitness industry.

It called for a complete audit of both private and public leisure facilities to provide a breakdown of the nature and type of current exercise levels.

It also hoped to discover where and when exercise took place.