We all know that gym memberships soar and healthy eating plans come to the fore at this time of year. 

It's been reported that Google searches for 'gym membership' this month have risen to the highest level in internet history.

And this is having an impact on the way we search for properties, because homes with fitness facilities have become some of the most sought-after on the market.

'People are generally spending more time at home and this has led to buyers wanting more from their home in terms of amenities,' says Annabel Blackett of Strutt & Parker.

'A country house with the full works, including a pool, gym and tennis court is the ultimate rural ideal.'

It was the leisure suite that first attracted property developer Adam Thompson to his six-bedroom mansion, Newfield House, near Morpeth, Northumberland.

'It has an 11x6m pool that I use three times a week,' says Adam, 36, who used to play rugby union for Gosforth. 'Then I use the weights, benches and cross trainers to work out.'

Adam's sons, Max, six, and Leo, four, have swimming lessons in the pool, which also has a steam room, sauna and doors opening onto the gardens. 

Newfield House is on sale for £2.5 million (with Sanderson Young). Should you want to build your own leisure suite at home there are specialist companies who can help. 

Luxury Home Gyms installs a range of fitness equipment, including floor-to-ceiling mirrors, air conditioning and non-slip impact flooring.

Guncast, meanwhile, supplies indoor swimming pools from £120,000, although £350,000-£500,000 is the average outlay.

Having your own gym can beat joining a health club. You spend more time training and less travelling. It also repays some of its cost over time as you don't have to fork out for health club membership fees.

However, suites given over to leisure facilities have their critics. 'A gym and pool won't necessarily add value to a property in the long-term,' says James Greenwood of Stacks property search. 

'They may date quickly and there's something very sad about an unused, half-empty pool and a musty smelling gym.'

Modern apartment blocks now try to outdo one another in the range of amenities they offer. In the Colmer Estate, near Modbury, Devon, where The Gate House East is for sale at £229,950, residents have two pools, a tennis court, gym and fishing lake (marchandandpetit.co.uk).

Barratt London's Hayes Village, West London, has a 200m running track and a mile-long walking trail as well as an on-site gym.

Built in the grounds of the former Nestle factory next to the Grand Union Canal, the development consists of 1,500 one- to three-bedroom apartments priced from £332,000 (Barratt Homes).

Leisure suites in modern developments are usually run by management companies and buyers are advised to study the contract small print to check how much they can expect their fees to increase.

One Home Counties management company virtually doubled its fees in recent years, so watch out.