Most BC and Alberta Residents Have Abandoned Last Year's Fitness Resolution

Vancouver, BC - A new Ipsos Reid online poll conducted on behalf of Fitness Town Canada reveals that British Columbia and Alberta residents haven't done a good job at keeping up with their fitness and healthy lifestyle resolutions from last New Year's. Only one-third (33%) of those who made a fitness or healthy lifestyle resolution say they are still sticking to it, with British Columbians (37% sticking to it) doing a little better than Albertans (27 sticking to it). One-quarter (24%) of those making a resolution kept it for a month or less. Another quarter (26%) kept their resolution for two to three months, and 16% kept at it for four to eleven months.

Among those who have stopped keeping their resolution, the top reasons cited are a "lack of motivation" (42%) and a "lack of time" (25%). Only 7% say they stopped because they "actually achieved their goal".

Overall, about one-quarter (24%) of British Columbians and Albertans made a New Year's resolution last year regarding their fitness or healthy lifestyle, including 26% of BC residents and 21% of Alberta residents. Women (33% vs. 15% of men) and younger residents (30% among 18-34 years vs. 23% among 35-54 years, 20% among 55+ years) were more likely to have made a resolution about fitness or a healthy lifestyle last year.

Among those who made a resolution last year, the top motivations for continuing with their resolution would be "having a regular schedule/program created for me" (47%) and "having personal support such as a trainer or nutritionist" (38%). Other motivations mentioned include "having better equipment" (13%) and "more knowledge about fitness/working out" (11%).

Home Fitness Equipment

However, the survey also revealed that only one-quarter (25%) of British Columbians and Albertans with home fitness equipment actually use that equipment for regular workouts (21% of BC residents, 29% of Alberta residents). Others use their home equipment for irregular workouts (49%), to supplement their gym membership (6%) or for hanging clothes/laundry (5%). Thirteen percent say their home equipment never gets used.

About Fitness Town

Fitness Town specializes in supplying the home and commercial markets with mid to high-end fitness equipment and accessories. With eight stores across British Columbia and Alberta, Fitness Town prides itself on providing an unparalleled selection of brand name equipment, accessories, supplements and educational materials for customers at all levels of fitness. For more information on Fitness Town, please visit www.fitnesstown.ca

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid online poll conducted between December 17 and 23, 2009. For this survey, we interviewed 1,551 adults (802 in British Columbia and 749 in Alberta) from Ipsos' Canadian online panel. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population in British Columbia and Alberta according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size (n=1,551) and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20 of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in BC and Alberta been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Comments on Survey Findings
Fitness Town
Betsy Cooper
Vice-President
b*co communications
778-329-7389
[email protected]

OR
Comments on Methodology
Kyle Braid
Vice-President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
778-373-5130
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca .

About Ipsos

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2008, Ipsos generated global revenues of e979.3 million.

Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.

Ipsos, listed on the Eurolist of Euronext - Comp B, is part of SBF 120 and the Mid-100 Index, adheres to the Next Prime segment and is eligible to the Deferred Settlement System. Isin FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP