NATIONAL NEWS RELEASE

Almost half of Brits have injured themselves in a desperate bid to shed the pounds for summer, according to a new report.

New research has revealed more than one in ten Brits have sought medical attention for an exercise related problem.

And with millions of us hitting the gym to get ‘beach body’ ready – the study has revealed almost half the nation (41 percent) have suffered a “gym-jury” in their quest for the perfect physique.

In fact, 12 percent have seen the doctor or visited A&E at least once after a work-out went wrong – with one in twenty now visiting a physio or chiropractor after developing long term exercise related injuries.

Worryingly, 9 percent of fitness fanatics have carried on working out at the gym, despite being in excruciating pain.

The study by personal injury solicitors, Hayward Baker, found that when it comes to their health, one in twenty British adults admit they don’t know how to use gym equipment correctly suggesting that they might never have been shown at the time of signing up for their membership.

Worryingly, 38 percent claim they never bother to warm-up before exercising, going against the expert advice from their gym or PT.

The research also revealed one in ten have gone full throttle and not built up their miles when attempting long distance running and many are attempting to lift weights that are far too heavy for them.

A spokesperson for Hayward Baker, said: “This is the time of year that everyone panics and tries to lose weight and get in shape for summer.

“These stats prove losing weight is a recipe for disaster and that injuries and accidents can happen. It’s vital you understand how all the equipment work and that you know your limits.”

According to the report, 45 percent of all British adults are hitting the gym or exercising in a bid to get shape for their summer holiday, with one in 10 claiming they are undergoing a vigorous fitness regime in order to shift the pounds in time.

The survey of more than 1,500 adults found working in the gym was the most popular way to exercise, followed by power walking and swimming.

One in five are cycling in the hope of losing weight and ten percent are relying on football to fight the flab.

A more serene 11 percent are hoping regular yoga sessions will leave them toned in time for their annual holiday.

The study showed the most common injury Brits inflict on themselves is a sprained ankle (21 percent), but 18 percent struggle with a back-problem due to badly executed exercise.

16 percent have broken either their arm, leg or hand after sport or physical activity – and worryingly one in ten claim to suffer from chest pain and five percent have slipped a disc.

The survey was commissioned as many gym members do not know that, if a gym-injury or accident occurred in a leisure facility, the management could be liable to prosecution following a claim as it’s their responsibility to reduce the risks.

The personal injury solicitor’s free to use interactive injury compensation calculator provides estimates of how much compensation you could be entitled to following an ‘gym-jury’ or accident in a leisure facility.

A spokesperson for Hayward Baker added: “It seems that going to the gym and working out incorrectly could seriously damage your health.

“Our easy to use injury compensation calculator gives people access to information which could really help them decide if they have a valid claim to make.”

The study also found that 28 percent of respondents said the phrase ‘all the gear, but no idea’ probably applied to them.

And over a third said they often wonder why they bother to keep fit as they often end up feeling worse post exercise.

A realistic 40 percent said they will never achieve their ‘beach body’ in time for their summer holiday.

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