New research1 from the Vitality American Express® Credit
Card has revealed that Manchester and Edinburgh are the UK’s fittest cities. More
than a quarter (26%) of respondents in Manchester exercise at least 4-5 times
per week compared with Edinburgh close behind at 23%. This compares to a
nationwide average of 17% exercising 4-5 times per week, with the most common
response being 2-3 times per week nationally (25%) – or an average of 3.5 times
a week.
Cashback motivation
When it comes to motivation for staying fit, almost half of Brits (46%)
agree that earning cashback (for example getting money credited to their bank
or credit card) would encourage them to exercise more.
Vitality American Express Cardmembers earn 0.5% cashback on purchases on
their Card up to £10,000, then 1% after that2. New Cardmembers could
earn an additional £100 statement credit, when they spend £2,000 in the first
three months of Cardmembership.
On top of that, Cardmembers can earn cashback linked to how active they
are. They can earn up to an additional £10 cashback monthly with the Vitality
Cashback Booster, which tracks monthly activity points with Vitality before
converting them into cashback. Assuming an average spend of £1,000 a month,
this means a new Cardmember, exercising regularly, could earn up to £290 cashback
in their first year. If Cardmembers have more than one qualifying plan, they
can double their Vitality Cashback Booster and can earn up to an additional £20
monthly.
American Express and Vitality have created a UK cashback map showcasing
the UK’s activity and fitness trends, as well as a calculator to show how much
cashback can be earned through exercise. Both can be viewed here:
https://map.americanexpressvitalitycalculator.co.uk/
https://www.americanexpressvitalitycalculator.co.uk/
A nation of walkers
34% named hiking as one of their favourite ways to exercise. A nation of
walkers, respondents took an average of 7,550 steps a day with a third (33%)
choosing to exercise in rural areas.
Gym workouts take the silver medal for most popular exercise activities,
1 in 5 (20%) UK adults listed gym workouts as one of their top ways to workout.
Leeds loves the gym the most, 82% of gym-goers in Leeds visit their gym twice a
week, with 9% going every day.
A team game in Glasgow, and
Sheffield the combat fitness capital
Glasgow is the UK’s top city for team sports, over one-quarter (27%) included
a team sport as one of their top ways to exercise. Football is the most popular
team sport in the UK, just under one in ten (9%) named the beautiful game in
their top five ways to exercise. Bristolians love a kickabout more than anyone
else though, with 22% of respondents in Bristol playing football.
The social aspect of team sports is a big motivator for lots of Brits,
19% of those surveyed claimed socialising with friends and meeting new people
were reasons to exercise. Birmingham tops the list in this regard, with 44%
preferring to exercise with others.
Sheffield beat Bristol and Brighton to the punch as the UK’s boxing
capital. It is home to more boxers than anywhere else in the UK, according to
the research.
Mind over muscle
70% of London respondents practice mindfulness activities, making it the
UK’s most mindful city. In the UK capital listening to music (34%) is the
preferred way to practice mindfulness but breathing exercises (21%), yoga (20%)
and mindful walking (16%) were also popular.
Caring for mental health is also a key reason why Brits exercise.
Amongst respondents that exercise, almost half (46%) cite improving their
mental health as a reason for exercising.
Caroline
Bouvet, Vice President at American Express, comments: “The Vitality American Express Credit Card is a
great way for Cardmembers to earn cashback on their spending and be rewarded
for staying active at the same time. With almost half of Brits saying cashback
would encourage them to exercise more, the Vitality American Express Credit
Card could help Cardmembers stick to and even exceed their New Year’s
resolutions.”
Nick Read, Managing Director of the Vitality Programme, comments: “The New Year is a great time to reset and think about your health and
wellbeing goals and it’s really refreshing to see such a variety in the types
of exercise people are doing – from hiking, to football, to heading to the gym.
It’s particularly interesting to see the amount of Brits choosing to exercise
together, which we know can strengthen relationships and community ties.
Whichever activity you choose, getting more active does so much for both your
mental and physical health.
“This all aligns with our core purpose, to
help people live healthier and happier lives, and our partnership with American
Express is just one of the many ways we are sharing the benefits of healthy
living.”
The Vitality American Express Credit Card has a representative 39.3% APR
variable. 18+. Terms Apply. Subject to status.
ENDS
1Omnibus research was conducted by Opinium,
2000 UK adults were surveyed between 4 November and 8 November 2022.
2Subject to minimum spend, eligibility
criteria and approval. Visit Vitality.co.uk/rewards/partners/ for terms and conditions. Representative APR is correct as at
11/01/2023. Interest rates link to the Bank of England base rate. See
amex.co.uk for details. Vitality Corporate Services Limited acts as a credit
broker. Exclusive lender is American Express Services Europe Limited. American
Express Services Europe Limited has its registered office at Belgrave House, 76
Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9AX, United Kingdom. It is registered in
England and Wales with Company Number 1833139 and is authorised and regulated
by the Financial Conduct Authority.
About Vitality
Vitality is part of Discovery Limited, a worldwide
insurer and investment manager impacting more than 30 million members in over
40 markets worldwide, across Europe, the United States, Australia, South
Africa, Canada and China.
Vitality pioneered the ‘shared-value’ insurance
model, a unique approach based on the scientifically proven principles of
behavioural economics. Through this model, Vitality helps members take a more
active role in managing their own wellness, encouraging them to develop healthy
long-term habits that are good for them, good for the company and good for
society. The effect is positive for all stakeholders – members benefit from
better health, financial rewards and additional incentives; employers benefit
from healthier, more productive, and more engaged employees; and Vitality
benefits from a healthier membership base.
Vitality Ambassadors Jessica Ennis-Hill, Heather
Knight, Tracey Neville, Ellie Simmonds, Jos Buttler, Maro Itoje, Joe Root
and Jonny Wilkinson are role models who embody the company’s values. They use
their passion for living a healthy, active lifestyle to motivate others to
make positive changes, promoting the message that taking small steps today can
dramatically improve wellbeing over the long-term.
In the UK, Vitality operates as three distinct
businesses: VitalityHealth, VitalityLife and VitalityCar
employing more than 2000 people in London, Bournemouth and Stockport.
CONTACTS:
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Jack Calway
Jack.F.Calway@aexp.com
Nick Richardson
Nick.Richardson@fourcommunications.com