TREADMILLS are the best value exercise gear for those hoping to shed the post-Christmas flab, research has found.

The running and walking machines cost an average of £10 for every pound of blubber lost.

Treadmills cost an average of £10 for every pound of weight lost

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Treadmills cost an average of £10 for every pound of weight lostCredit: Alamy

The next best value for those watching the pennies as well as the pounds are exercise bikes at £17, skiing machines at £19 and rowing machines at £21.

A cross-trainer — set at moderate intensity — will set you back £36 for every pound of weight lost during exercise.

The priciest gym activities for shedding the timber are weight­lifting, at £61 per pound, and water aerobics at £46.

The findings are based on burning 3,500 calories to lose one pound in weight, an average monthly gym membership of £40, and working out for 10½ hours a week.

Rugby is the cheapest outdoor sport for weight-loss, with a cost of just £15 per pound lost.

Horse riding was found to be the least cost-effective, setting those in the saddle back a whopping £365.

Weight­lifting is the priciest indoor activity at £61

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Weight­lifting is the priciest indoor activity at £61Credit: Getty
Meanwhile horse riding is the most costly outdoor activity - setting those in the saddle back a whopping £365

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Meanwhile horse riding is the most costly outdoor activity – setting those in the saddle back a whopping £365Credit: Getty

Prices for standard treadmills on Amazon range from around £299 up to £749. But those from professional brands can reach £1,300.

Industry experts say treadmill sales have gone through the roof this year thanks to lockdowns.

A spokeswoman for Ocean Finance, which conducted the research, said: “We have uncovered the financial cost of carrying out an exercise enough to lose one pound, therefore revealing which workouts are the most cost-effective for weight-loss, helping Brits reach their fitness goals at the fastest and most frugal rate.”

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk

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