THE number of people visiting council-owned fitness facilities has increased by just over a third since the 2014 Commonwealth Games, according to data gathered by the SNP.
The party has collated membership figures for the past decade from 22 out of 32 of Scotland’s local authorities.
The majority of councils have experienced significant increases in membership or attendances during the 10-year period, with the SNP focusing on rises since 2014, when Glasgow hosted the games.
The data, collected through Freedom of Information requests, shows an overall 36% increase in last three years.
Glasgow has recorded a 13.7% rise in memberships since 2014, while in Edinburgh the figure is up 10.1%.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen has seen a 90.5% increase since 2014, Orkney is up 137%, and Dumfries and Galloway and West Dunbartonshire both recorded rises of around 70%.
SNP MSP Ivan McKee said: “It is fantastic that not only has Glasgow Life seen a 157% increase in its membership since the SNP came to office and a 14% increase since we hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games, but that this positive pattern of growth has been repeated across the country.
“The overwhelming increase in gym-goers across Scotland over the last decade is testament to the Scottish Government’s commitment to investing at a school, community and national level in order to create a Scotland where people are more active more often.
“Our Daily Mile challenge is in its sixth year now and encourages children across Scotland to pick up healthy habits that will hopefully last a lifetime.
“And as a keen runner and a firm believer in the cognitive and health benefits of exercising more regularly, I am delighted that the number of gym-goers is ever increasing under this SNP Government.”
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