Going to the gym can make you fat – that’s what the UK’s media would have us believe.
Recent headlines have been full of sensational health claims based on comments by Dr Michael Mosley, the 5:2 diet advocate and TV’s go-to health expert. For example, a Daily Mail feature following his appearance on ITV’s This Morning claimed people never lose weight from going to the gym; that the ‘endorphin rush’ of exercise is a myth; and that, even if people do exercise, they may not get fitter.
Is there a case to answer here? Fundamentally no, and to the last point as an example, while it’s true some people will respond better to exercise and gain quicker results than others, research shows even so-called ‘exercise non-responders’ get important benefits from exercise. The key is to tailor programmes to allow for individual body types.
But that’s completely missing the point. The overall message, and the media’s interpretation of it – with headlines in the Mail such as ‘Going to the gym can make you fatter’ – was damaging and irresponsible. Given the UK’s well reported inactivity pandemic, why give people a justification to reject exercise before they even start? As ukactive CEO Dave Stalker said: “These kinds of ill-informed comments set us back years by inaccurately skewing the accepted wisdom for thousands of consumers.”
Because people listen to those held up by the media as ‘health gurus’, especially when their name is preceded by the title of doctor. If someone in this position urges people not to exercise but to diet, offering them a novel way to do so – such as the 5:2 diet – this is what they’re likely to do.
But in the process, they would miss out on all the other scientifically proven benefits of exercise that go far beyond weight loss: the prevention of cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases, as well as mental health conditions such as depression and Alzheimer’s, to name just a few.
The fitness industry has rightly been up in arms. “It’s extremely troubling when so-called experts make controversial statements which secure column inches and book sales but which will ultimately damage our already poor public health,” said Gym Group CEO John Treharne, while Leisure Media’s Liz Terry observed: “Journalists need to be more responsible about the way they report on these challenges or we will end up drowning in a sea of fat.”
Certainly we need more consistent, responsible journalism from the nation’s most-read titles. Only in July, the Mail ran a story with the headline: ‘Lack of exercise is to blame for bulging waistlines and obesity epidemic, NOT eating more calories.’ Such inconsistency is sloppy and confuses people.
And when it comes to the experts, rather than competing for the obesity buck, we need a more collaborative approach, acknowledging that exercise and diet are two sides of the same coin; as our sector has always maintained, it’s all about calories in = calories out.
At a time when the nation is dying from obesity and related conditions, it’s quite simply irresponsible for the media to give people grounds to opt out of activity.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
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Going to the gym can make you fat – that’s what the UK’s media would have us believe.
Recent headlines have been full of sensational health claims based on comments by Dr Michael Mosley, the 5:2 diet advocate and TV’s go-to health expert. For example, a Daily Mail feature following his appearance on ITV’s This Morning claimed people never lose weight from going to the gym; that the ‘endorphin rush’ of exercise is a myth; and that, even if people do exercise, they may not get fitter.
Is there a case to answer here? Fundamentally no, and to the last point as an example, while it’s true some people will respond better to exercise and gain quicker results than others, research shows even so-called ‘exercise non-responders’ get important benefits from exercise. The key is to tailor programmes to allow for individual body types.
But that’s completely missing the point. The overall message, and the media’s interpretation of it – with headlines in the Mail such as ‘Going to the gym can make you fatter’ – was damaging and irresponsible. Given the UK’s well reported inactivity pandemic, why give people a justification to reject exercise before they even start? As ukactive CEO Dave Stalker said: “These kinds of ill-informed comments set us back years by inaccurately skewing the accepted wisdom for thousands of consumers.”
Because people listen to those held up by the media as ‘health gurus’, especially when their name is preceded by the title of doctor. If someone in this position urges people not to exercise but to diet, offering them a novel way to do so – such as the 5:2 diet – this is what they’re likely to do.
But in the process, they would miss out on all the other scientifically proven benefits of exercise that go far beyond weight loss: the prevention of cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases, as well as mental health conditions such as depression and Alzheimer’s, to name just a few.
The fitness industry has rightly been up in arms. “It’s extremely troubling when so-called experts make controversial statements which secure column inches and book sales but which will ultimately damage our already poor public health,” said Gym Group CEO John Treharne, while Leisure Media’s Liz Terry observed: “Journalists need to be more responsible about the way they report on these challenges or we will end up drowning in a sea of fat.”
Certainly we need more consistent, responsible journalism from the nation’s most-read titles. Only in July, the Mail ran a story with the headline: ‘Lack of exercise is to blame for bulging waistlines and obesity epidemic, NOT eating more calories.’ Such inconsistency is sloppy and confuses people.
And when it comes to the experts, rather than competing for the obesity buck, we need a more collaborative approach, acknowledging that exercise and diet are two sides of the same coin; as our sector has always maintained, it’s all about calories in = calories out.
At a time when the nation is dying from obesity and related conditions, it’s quite simply irresponsible for the media to give people grounds to opt out of activity.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Beautylizer Beautylizer brings
its deep aesthetic expertise and
strong R&D focus to holistic wellness,
offeri [more...]
