Losing weight and feeling strong among top New Year's Resolutions: GoodLife Fitness Survey

LONDON, ON, Jan. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadians from coast-to-coast are getting ready to ring in the New Year by making resolutions for the year ahead. When it comes to health and fitness, a new survey reveals that losing weight and feeling strong are top priorities. Respondents also indicated that going to the gym and eating well or changing diet habits were the two most popular approaches to achieving their goals.

In December, GoodLife Fitness, Canada's largest fitness club chain, surveyed more than 600 Canadians to find out more about their New Year's resolutions and how they plan to embrace health and fitness in 2016.

The majority of respondents (41%) identified losing weight as their top goal, followed by improving strength or feeling stronger (25%).  When it comes to incorporating health, fitness and wellness into their lives, nearly half of respondents (48%) plan to go to the gym, 23% will focus on eating well or their changing diet habits, while 10% will work with a Personal Trainer or Coach

"These results reinforce the idea that going to the gym and eating well go hand-in-hand with living a healthier lifestyle," says Maureen 'Mo' Hagan, Vice President of Program Innovation and Fitness Development at GoodLife Fitness. "Whatever your goal is, the important thing is to stick with it and avoid quick fixes to ensure your success long after January has ended."

While losing weight is the top goal across all provinces, some regions have unique differences when it comes to other goals and ways to incorporate health, fitness and wellness into their lives:

• In British Columbia, 40% plan to eat well/change diet habits to reach their goals, while 10% plan to do outdoor activities, such as walking, cycling or swimming.
• Nearly a quarter (22%) of Manitoba respondents have a goal to improve strength /feel stronger and 16% say they want to feel more energetic/get more sleep.
• 10% of Ontario respondents have a goal to enhance their athletic performance. That same goal was more popular in New Brunswick (18%).
• The coasts – East (48%) and West (65%) – have the highest number of respondents who have a goal to lose weight. Saskatchewan respondents (57%) also rated higher than the national average for this goal.

"In Canada, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving health and fitness goals," says Hagan. "We have such a diverse landscape and climate from coast-to-coast, so things like outdoor activities year-round in British Columbia might not be possible in another region. The best way for all Canadians to get started in 2016 is to meet with a certified fitness professional to build a plan customized to their goals, lifestyle, preferences and schedule." 

About GoodLife Fitness
Proudly Canadian since 1979, GoodLife Fitness is the largest fitness club chain in Canada and the fourth largest in the world. With over 350 clubs from coast-to-coast, including GoodLife Fitness, Énergie Cardio, Fit4Less and ÉconoFitness Clubs, approximately 14,400 employees and more than 1.2 million Members, GoodLife is helping to transform the health and wellness of 1 in 30 Canadians every day.

About the Survey
The survey was conducted through GoodLife Fitness' membership database, social media tools and the GoodLife Fitness website between December 15, 2015 and December 30, 2015. Responses from 633 individuals were captured online. For more information about the survey, contact [e-mail].

SOURCE GoodLife Fitness

Image with caption: "GoodLife Fitness Members' Top Fitness Goals for 2016 (CNW Group/GoodLife Fitness)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160101_C4749_PHOTO_EN_590675.jpg

For further information: Media Contact: Adam Roberts, Public Relations Senior Specialist, GoodLife Fitness, [e-mail], 226-377-1815