Britain ‘A Nation of Fitness Fibbers’

Brits are becoming a nation of fitness fibbers, with one in four admitting to lying or exaggerating about the exercise they do, a study has revealed.

Researchers found a quarter of Brits who shout about their fitness regimes are embellishing the truth or even making it up completely.

How far they have run or cycled, how often they exercise and general fitness levels are all among the things Brits lie about or big up to sound more impressive than they really are.

Some even admitted to telling people they have exercised when they didn't, with more than one in ten saying they have 'checked-in' at the gym on social media, when really they were nowhere near it.

But it doesn't always go to plan as 46 per cent have been caught out by friends and work colleagues when they weren't being honest about their exercise habits.

Brand manager Hugo Pengelley of Nelsons® arnicare® Arnica Cooling Gel, which commissioned the research, said: "Thanks to social media, there is a new culture of shouting about when you exercised, how far you have run or if you have done something particularly ambitious or unusual.

"But this means those who don't exercise, or don't do quite as much as others can feel the need to pretend they do more than they do to keep up with their friends or work colleagues.

"No one wants to be the only one who doesn't go to the gym or for the occasional jog, and when everyone at work is talking about the exercise they did the night before, it can be easier to lie than admit you did nothing.

"However, it's a dangerous game, as you will only end up more embarrassed if they find out you are lying about your exercise habits.

"Contrastingly, almost three quarters of the people surveyed reckoned they needed to exercise more often or put more effort in when they do head to the gym.

"Therefore, if you do feel a sudden surge of exertion and want to indulge in an invigorating workout, a thorough cool down is a must.

"Nelsons arnicare Arnica Cooling Gel is designed to be massaged into muscles to cool and revive them after any sporting activity.

"A proper cool down will also save you from hobbling around the next day."

The study of 2,000 Brits found 26 per cent have lied or exaggerated about the amount or type of exercise they do - an average of three times a month.

How many times a week you exercise is most likely to be exaggerated, followed by how long each session lasts for and the distance they run or cycle.

Pretending to exercise when in reality they haven't been anywhere near a gym completed the top five.

Others admitted to lying about the type of exercise they do, how fit they are, the last time they exercised, the number of press-ups or sit-ups they can do and the weight they can lift.

And it's work colleagues Brits are most likely to lie to when discussing their exercise habits, followed by their best friend and even their partner.

Worryingly, more than one in ten have fibbed about how fit they are, or what exercise they do, to a health professional or their doctor.

It also emerged almost six in ten have fibbed about their gym habits to someone during face-to-face conversations, while almost a quarter exaggerate the truth on Facebook.

But while 43 per cent of people lie to avoid looking like they are lazy, almost one in five feel they need to fib to keep up with their friends.

Another 16 per cent don't want to seem like the only person who doesn't take part in any kind of exercise.

Other reasons for the fitness fibs include wanting to impress people, not wanting others to think they can't do it and wanting people to think they are better or fitter than they really are.

Researchers also found 29 per cent of people regularly boast about how fit they are, or how much exercise they have done, either face-to-face or on social media.

Seventeen per cent often post maps of their run or cycle online so others can see what they have done, while 16 per cent publish photos before, after or during their exercise.

But not all of those are truly working out, with 24 per cent admitting they go to the gym, but often end up spending more time sitting around in the sauna or Jacuzzi than they do actually exercising.

And 15 per cent have signed up to a gym class, and then ended up in the pub instead.

Hugo Pengelley for Nelsons arnicare Arnica Cooling Gel added: "We want to help a nation of fitness fibbers become a nation of fitness fanatics.

"Nelsons arnicare Arnica Cooling Gel is favoured by running enthusiast and Heart FM radio presenter, Jenni Falconer, who made it her kit bag essential while training for her 5 ^th London Marathon this year.

"The product is specially formulated to be easily absorbed, making it ideal for massaging into tired muscles post exercise.

"Therefore whether or not you want to give away how much exercise you're really doing, make Nelsons arnicare part of your workout regime, and you'll never need to exaggerate your physical efforts again."

Top 10 things we lie about or exaggerate