Cost of working out at home revealed

Research has found women who exercise may be doing more harm than good, with one in five having an accident while exercising in their home during the past year.

According to home and car insurance provider Sheilas’ Wheels, not only is keeping fit causing a number of accidents but the incidents are proving costly, with an average of nearly £55 worth of damage being caused.

Figures show that 22% of women choose to work out at home using a computer console, such as a Wii Fit, because it is cheaper than gym membership, but 18% of people said they had slipped on the floor or tripped over rugs during the process.

A further 8% of women questioned said they had collided with their children and 3% had smashed windows or hit the television screen.

Although working out at home proves to be an accident mine field, women say they prefer the privacy, with 8% saying they feel inferior when exercising in the gym and 28% say they are too embarrassed to exercise outdoors.

Walking was chosen by two-thirds of people as their favourite exercise, 34% liked swimming and 22% preferred using a Wii Fit to work out.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

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