ah, now i have found the gym bunny comment i feel i have to address it.
Firstly, most bachelors degrees are funded by student loans or self funded (i am correct aren't i?). Secondly, many post-graduate degrees are self funded, however it is EXPENSIVE, so hardly hobby material. Thirdly, if you have ever done a degree/post-grad qualification you will appreciate that unless you are a genius with a loop hole in time, that "hobby" can turn into something extremely stressful and hard work, this is multiplied by a factor of one million and four when you have children as well. Most importantly, the criteria for achieving a PhD (and masters i think) is that the fisnished research "contributes a significant and totally new contribution to knowledge". In fact, much, if not most of the "basic" medical research carried out in this country is undertaken by post graduate students.
I do understand where the resentment regarding funding arises though, as i have heard of some research programs that i think are pretty useless and a waste of public money, when this money could be available for medical research or social research etc. However, funding comes from relevant government bodies and often charities set up to forward their particular research areas.
Of course, for some, being a gym bunny is a serious commitment, i would imagine paula radcliffe spends a fair amount of time in the gym, and dame kelly holmes, all making a significant contribution to the community as a whole.