New research has suggested that children are becoming increasingly sedentary, revealing that a quarter of parents don’t think their kids are doing enough exercise (26%).
Four of the top five most popular summer holiday family activities were sedentary including cinema trips, visits to theme parks, using computers or watching dvds or leaving the kids to entertain themselves.
The one physical activity to buck the trend was swimming, with over half (53%) of British families stating they will be taking a trip to their local swimming pool this summer.
The findings reflect the significant growth in swimming participation growth reported by swimming pools in Better Leisure Centres – up 38 per cent since 2012.
Public leisure brand Better, which operates Bath Sports & Leisure Centre, is now the biggest operator of swimming facilities within both the UK public and private sectors, directly managing 112 facilities with pools.
Attracting 16 million visits per year in 2015, and over 100,000 people taking swimming lessons each week on its Better swim school, the popularity of swimming is returning with these figures representing a 12% like for like increase on the previous year.
Phil Lane, Head of Sports and Participation for Better, said: “As a nation, we’ve got to acknowledge we have a problem with low levels of physical activity – but part of the solution lies on our doorsteps.
“At Better Leisure Centres, we’re banishing boredom with affordable and fun options for parents and kids that can help them stay entertained, fit and healthy over the summer holidays.”
It’s not just swimming that’s on offer – youngsters can also choose from supervised taster sessions for tennis, athletics, gymnastics and much more across the holidays – freeing up parents to do other things.
GLL say they are committed to getting more people more active this summer – kids using their local Better Leisure Centres this summer benefit from a 30% discount and free membership card – helping them emulate their heroes of track and pool.
To take advantage of this offer parents or guardians must sign their child up for a free Better Activities for Kids Card at any Better leisure centre or online at: www.better.org.uk/summer.
Better are also linking up with ‘I am Team GB’ to create the nation’s biggest sports day on 27th August to help welcome back successful Team GB.
