Stairs too challenging for unhealthy Brits

The average adult is so unhealthy they are left gasping for breath after running up a flight of stairs, a study found recently.

This shocking statistic emerged in a report into Brits' level of fitness which also found 31 per cent - or 15 MILLION - feel ‘puffed' after rushing to catch a bus.

Three in five went as far as to admit they often feel ‘shattered' after running the hoover around the house for just 15 minutes and 37 per cent 'need a sit down' after mowing the lawn.

Staggeringly, they can only manage to run 88 metres before coming to an abrupt halt.

Yesterday Neil Barnes, a spokesman for one of the UK's leading mutual healthcare providers, Benenden Healthcare Society, which carried out the nationally representative survey of 2,000 Brits, said: ''It's clear that Brits are finding the simplest exercises a challenge and it's quite shocking to see such relatively short distances putting people quickly out of breath.

"Small wonder, then, that an easy stereotype arises of Brits being ‘couch potatoes' slumped in front of the television.

"We believe that an active attitude towards health and wellbeing can help towards a positive lifestyle and good mental wellbeing."

Jane Abbott, Hospital Director for Benenden Hospital, a subsidiary of the Society, advised: ‘'Simple activities such as cleaning, gardening and washing the car are day-to-day activities that can contribute to a daily exercise regime, but to avoid exercise altogether, as many Brits seem to be doing, is unhealthy and a risk to your overall wellbeing.

‘'We should not be afraid to weigh ourselves as this is one indicator of our state of health. Being overweight can indicate an unhealthy lifestyle and doing some exercise is really important. Start small by getting off the sofa and doing a bit of housework or taking a quick stroll around the block and gradually increase the activities you do and notice the difference it makes to how you feel.''

The study quizzed 18-65 year-olds on their levels of fitness including; how far they can run, how many are left feeling puffed out doing what and how much exercise they do.

It found eight in ten have been ‘left sweating' after running for the bus to work with the typical Brit walking up just 20 steps before needing to stop to catch their breath.

Another three in ten said they feel achy after lifting shopping in and out of the car or to the house.

And 29 per cent work up a sweat cleaning the bathroom and toilets and one in six get breathless simply rushing to get ready for work in the morning and getting out the front door.

The research found Brits typically walk an average of two miles a day - one in twenty admit they feel shattered and one in six say they need to put their feet up when they return back at their desk or get home.

More than half (54 per cent) would always choose the lazy option of jumping in a lift or onto an escalator rather than face trudging up a set of steps.

And a feeble seven in ten would get the car out of the garage to drive one mile or LESS, which would take just ten minutes to walk.

One in ten get off the bus one stop early, and only 18 per cent would consider cycling to work.

The extent of the nation's lack of fitness was highlighted in the study - with one in five who try and avoid any forms of exercise.

Worryingly, only a doctor's warning (48 per cent) or struggling to fit into a piece of clothing (43 per cent) would trigger Brits to overhaul their lifestyle or eating habits.

And a foolish six in ten would only be sparked into action if they had a heart attack.

The average Brit does a measly two forms of exercise a week, with each session lasting 37 minutes, totalling one hour and 14 minutes.

But a dismal one in ten hasn't worked up a sweat for a year or more.

Taking a stroll, walking the dog or going for a swim topped the list of weekly activities.

But just one in ten have signed up to fitness class and 13 per cent regularly jog.

One in five of those surveyed don't know their weight - claiming not to set foot on a pair of scales in fear of the reading - but reckon they're overweight by one and a half stone.

And seven in ten don't know how many steps the average should take in the typical day.