Olympic viewers urged to compete

An average man can work off eight curries doing the challenge

Britain's couch potatoes are being urged to emulate their Olympic heroes and abandon their televisions.

The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) is offering to enter those who reach bronze, silver or gold levels of exercise into a prize draw.

Its "Going for Gold" challenge is based on swimming, running, rowing, cycling and general gym activity.

ISRM says it will help people achieve the government's weekly recommendation of five, 30 minute periods of exercise.

It points out that an average 82kg man will burn less than 40 calories an hour watching television but could burn over 5,000 extra calories - or eight chicken curries - by completing the Olympic challenge.

An average 69kg women will burn an extra four thousand calories - or three Big Mac meals - by completing the challenge.

Watching your heroes on screen won't help shed the pounds Ralph Riley ISRM

ISRM chief executive, Ralph Riley said: "Most people know that being active benefits health but many are still looking for guidance about the right type of exercise to do.

"To reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer we need the nation to take part in several bouts of moderate exercise a week.

"Watching your heroes on screen won't help shed the pounds," he said.

Participants can download an exercise log from the ISRM website and, when completed, post it back to be entered in a prize draw.

But Mr Riley says there are other rewards:

"Anyone who completes this Olympic challenge will notice an improvement in energy and fitness levels."

"We are hoping the Olympics will see record numbers of people taking advantage of their local sports facilities.