Londoners ‘do the least exercise of any region in the UK’

Londoners do the least exercise of any region in the UK, according to a new survey.

People living in the capital do just 56 minutes of exercise every week – nearly two-thirds below the NHS’ recommended amount of 150 minutes.

It is also below the national average of 64 minutes, according to the study conducted by Nuffield Health’s Healthier Nation Index.

The North West was the most active region of the UK with an average of 71 minutes of exercise, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (70 minutes) and the East Midlands (68 minutes).

The study looked at the exercise habits of 8,000 adults aged above 16 across the UK. It defined moderate exercise as activity that “raises your heart rate”, such as brisk walking or riding a bike.

Only one in three (36 per cent) were aware that that the NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week for adults.

Watch: These Exercises Can Help You Build Mental Resilience

In July, charity London Sport warned that nearly half (45 per cent) of all Londoners had cut back on exercise because of the cost of living crisis. And 49 per cent of the city (compared to 33 per cent nationally) said rising costs were discouraging them from using their local leisure facilities.

Dr Davina Deniszczyc, Medical Director at Nuffield Health, said: “This new Healthier Nation Index data has shown that the UK is struggling to get active, but people are also unaware of just how beneficial it can be for both physical and mental health.

“Now, more than ever, we need to help people better understand the benefits of exercise for both body and mind, as well as provide the tools to try new activities and build healthy habits for life.”

Nuffield Health has partnered with double Olympic Champion Dame Kelly Holmes for their “Find 5” campaign to encourage the public to do more exercise.

Dame Kelly said: “Just five minutes of movement can help give you purpose, focus and the ability to feel good about something every single day. Don’t do it for anyone else, do it for you.

“Be the person that calls your friend and asks them out for a walk, to an outdoor bootcamp or to the gym – it all makes a big difference.”