Trafford Leisure runs free events for UK’s National Fitness Day

Trafford Leisure is encouraging its local community to get involved in National Fitness Day through a series of free activities this Wednesday, 20th September, including the ‘move more every hour challenge’, as well as a unique walk being led by the Trafford Leisure staff between its centres in Trafford.

 

The special activities have been designed to encourage people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to recognise the lifelong physical and mental benefits of being active, and support Trafford Council’s Moving Strategy.

 

National Fitness Day is an annual campaign, co-ordinated by ukactive, which sees millions of people across communities inspired to be more active, through thousands of free activities hosted by gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres, sports clubs, workplaces, schools, and online providers. The theme for this year’s National Fitness Day is ‘Your Health is for Life.’

 

Trafford Leisure’s staff and stakeholders will be completing a special walk between its sites on Wednesday 20th September, encouraging the local community to join them,  either for the entire walk or smaller segments between locations.

 

The route will be as follows:

 

Start – Altrincham Golf Course at 9:30am

Leg 1 – Altrincham Golf Course to Sale Leisure Centre – 9:30am till 11:30am

Leg 2 – Sale Leisure Centre to move Urmston – 11:30am till 1:30pm

Leg 3 – move Urmston to Stretford Sports Village – 1:30pm till 3:30pm

Finish – Stretford Sports Village at 3:30pm

 

During the walk, the Trafford Leisure team will be making numerous stops to engage with the community, including popping into local community centres and medical practices.

 

Jo Cherrett, CEO, Trafford Leisure says: “We are really excited about our wellbeing walk through Trafford.  It’s a very visible way to promote the benefits of being more active in a safe and sustainable way. We welcome everyone to come and join us.

 

You’ll be guaranteed smiles and a warm welcome.  Just remember to dress weather appropriately, wear comfy shoes and bring water!”

 

Trafford Leisure has also collated a series of exercises and activities that can be found on their website, as part of its ‘move more every hour challenge’.  Trafford Leisure is urging stakeholders within Trafford, be that teachers, community and business leaders to get their pupils and staff etc to participate.  The exercises are fun and simple, and everyone can have a try.

 

Trafford Leisure also recommends local residents download the MYWELLNESS App, from the Apple App Store or Google Play, which will allow them to track their daily movement. The app can be used everywhere, not just at Trafford Leisure’s gyms or centres.

 

Jo Cherrett, continues: “National Fitness Day is an timely opportunity to highlight the levels of inactivity in our borough, which can impact the health of our community, including reducing life expectancy. Recent data* has found that 25% of the Trafford Community, aged 16+ are inactive, with 70% of children aged 5-16 years not meeting the recommended guidelines for physical activity. It’s telling that today in Greater Manchester, 30% of trips under 1km are made by car, which equates to a four minute cycle or 15 minute walk.

 

“Trafford Leisure’s purpose is to help people to move more every day. We take our role in the community seriously; we want to have a positive impact on the people living and visiting Trafford.

 

“We understand that National Fitness Day is just one day of the year, but we hope the activities and challenges can inspire people in Trafford to start making small changes to their wellbeing. We don’t need to be perfect, but we do need to move a little more. Together we can celebrate, inspire and maybe even get a few people to either get back into doing some physical activity or take that first step.”

 

Cllr Cath Hynes, Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said: “Trafford Council and our partners are totally committed to improving the health and wellbeing of residents in our communities .There is, of course, nothing more important than our health and that is why we are so fully supportive of the Your Health is for Life! National Fitness Day campaign.

 

“We want to see as many people as possible getting involved in the campaign by visiting our sports centres and swimming pools and getting more active. Put on your trainers and tracksuits and come and see us – we can’t wait to see you! Moving more every day will improve physical health and mental health – it’s a winner all round.”