More Exercise? How About An On-Site Gym? Say 77 % Renters

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorChicago–The majority of renters lead a healthy lifestyle by eating right and working out on a weekly basis, but would also prefer to step up their current workout routine with convenient access to workout facilities, according to a fitness and nutrition survey of 536 renters nationwide, conducted by Apartments.com during February, the national heart awareness month.The survey found that an overwhelming majority of renters surveyed (77 percent) would increase weekly workouts with the addition of on-site workout facilities offered by the apartment community.While almost 60 percent of renters surveyed exercise on a regular basis, 36 percent get exercise three times a week and 18 percent do so more than five times a week. The two most common reasons for not exercising were not having a gym nearby and lack of on-site gym facilities cited by 31percent of the respondents.Some of the other reasons included getting motivated (28 percent) and working long hours at work (26 percent).In addition to maintaining an active exercise routine, renters maintain a healthy diet. Sixty percent of renters surveyed said more than 50 percent of the food stocked in their apartments is both healthy and nutritious.While 74 percent of the renters surveyed said they would still rent an apartment if a fitness center were not included, Apartments.com has observed a nationwide renter demand for on-site workout facilities over the past year. The company found that renters across the country searched the term “Health facility” more than 3.4 million times on its Web site in 2007.This survey was part of Apartment.com’s monthly “What Renters Want” research series.”Apartments.com wants to contribute to property managers by being a thought-leader, educator and mentor thus providing them with more insight into the minds of renters across the country,” Tammy Kotula, promotions manager tells MHN.