'What’s a gyme? Ooh, a gyme!'

I’ve been forced to confront a bias. All entries to date have been about food. But just like Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow – diet and exercise are an uber couple, who are meant to be together, no matter how hard people try to split them up.

I love food, food is fun, writing about food makes me happy. Loving exercise is just that little bit harder. For me, exercising is like watching The Simpsons – it’s not until I get into an episode that I remember I quite enjoy it. And like Homer I’m not really a fan of the gyme/gym. Gyms make people think exercise equals an expensive locked-in contract they don’t actually want, sold to them by an excitable 20-something in an outfit made from a patented sports fabric.

But has anyone else noticed that the rate at which these gyms mushroom across the country is equal to the growing ‘obesity crisis’? Could it be that cost per use, these gym contracts work out to about 250 bucks a visit for most people. It seems upon joining, all physical activity ceases, because they tell themselves ‘It’s OK, I go to the gym - I have the backpack to prove it.’

It’s also possible the reason small outlying islands in the Pacific Ocean are about to disappear might have something to do with the fact we get in our cars, drive to an indoor venue and pay to run on a machine. Yes folks, more gyms than ever = fatter population, planet in crisis.

Melissa Sweet, in her book The Big Fat Conspiracy argues this point strongly, linking modern urban planning trends (smaller blocks, no communal spaces for play, lack of public transport etc) with growing obesity rates, especially among children. In short, we’re on a fast track to emulating our US friends - heading out in our SUVs and driving 500 metres to pick up a Big Gulp half litre of soft drink.

Enough of the Morgan Spurlock-style rant - I supposed to be here to make us all feel warm and fuzzy about ourselves and a healthy lifestyle. Which is why I’m saying Death to The Gym! Unless you’re training for a body building contest, there is plenty you can do to stay fit without saving your two dollar coins for a locker. Surfing, running, team sports, tennis and walking will all get you moving.

It’s about finding what works for you and getting as much incidental exercise as possible. My top get-results activity is group training – pick a qualified trainer who mixes resistance training, cardio and core work. You’ll be pushed to your limits, interact with other humans (and not your iPod) and enjoy the great outdoors rather than the hum of a carbon-producing treadmill.