Fit to bust

In-door exercise has cost women up to ?1.3 billion in accidental damage in the past year alone

With the rising popularity of motion-controlled consoles such as the Wii Fit, female homeowners are warned to exercise with caution as the cost of accidental damage to the home - due to indoor exercise has increased by over 700 per cent in the past twelve months.

The research conducted by Sheilas' Wheels home insurance, found that a fifth (20 per cent) of women polled have had an accident in the past year while exercising or being active in the home.

Perhaps unsurprising as the average living area contains just two metres of free space.

The survey's findings suggest that working 'in' is the new working 'out' as over 13 million women (43 per cent) across the country now own a motion-controlled console such as a Wii, or live with someone who does - compared to 8.7 million women (28 per cent) who currently hold a gym membership or have held one in the past year.

Consequently, nearly a fifth (19 per cent) of those polled stated that saving money was the main incentive for 'in-lounge' work-outs.

The average brand gym membership costs a heart-stopping ?796.82 for 12 months subscription - and with almost half (47 per cent) of female gym members surveyed revealing that they go just once a week or less, women are forking out an estimated ?15.32 each time they work-out.

Furthermore, the poll reveals that one in five women (20 per cent) spend less than half an hour at the gym at a time.

With only 16 per cent working out for more than an hour.

Fun cost-cutting alternatives now appear to be women's top priority as Sheilas' Wheels reveals the top five favourite forms of exercise: Walking (63 per cent) .

Swimming (34 per cent).

Wii / Wii Fit (22 per cent).

Cycling (17 per cent).

Going to the gym (17 per cent).

Despite the home being a hub for personal injury and accidents, almost one in ten (8 per cent) female homeowners prefer to work-out in the privacy of their own home to avoid feeling inferior at the gym.

A further four per cent of women don't like the way they look when they exercise and 28 per cent are embarrassed about being caught exercising outside - turning to consoles such as the Wii for exercise privacy.

All this indoor action has meant that living rooms are becoming a potential minefield with 8 per cent of women polled having tripped over children, 18 per cent slipping on flooring or tripping over rugs and 3 per cent even smashing windows or hitting the TV screen.

To help women get active in the home without having to fork out extra money for accidental damage, Sheilas' Wheels has compiled a few top tips to ensure home safety: Make sure your allocated exercise space is completely clear.

Stand well back from the TV as over-enthusiastic movements can lead to collisions with the screen.

Make sure your exercise zone is safe - with no slipping rugs or rogue footstools in the way.

Ensure the pets, and preferably the children, are in another room before embarking on your work-out.

Jacky Brown at Sheilas' Wheels home insurance, commented: "Our research shows that more and more women are shying away from the gym and are increasingly keen to exercise at home to save time and money.

In-home computer consoles such as the Wii Fit can be a great fun way to get the heart beating without having to fork out a pricey annual membership.

However, it's essential that women prepare their at-home keep fit area thoroughly beforehand.

"Sheilas' Wheels urges women to make sure that they have adequate cover against accidental damage in their home before embarking on any indoor fitness regimes.

Regional Differences: Londoners are being forced to pay the highest price for in-home misdemeanours with an average of ?64 a year compared to women in Scotland who have to fork out a less damaging ?38.32.

Over a quarter (27 per cent) of Welsh ladies like to 'get active' in the comfort of their own living rooms compared to just 15 per cent of the East coast.

Women in the South West chose walking as their favourite form of exercise with 68 per cent of the votes - compared to spinning classes which got a painful 2 per cent.

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