‘Children are less fit’ despite €2.4bn spend on exercise

People in Ireland spend €2.4bn on sport and fitness every year, but most adults believe children are doing less exercise than they themselves did as children.

Adults here are spending almost €450m on sports clothing, footwear and equipment and €255m on sports’ club membership.

However, the sport research report, published by commercial law firm Philip Lee Solicitors found the gym industry was flagging. There were 900,000 lapsed gym memberships — 64% of former members said they could no longer afford the fee.