People can access leisure centres across London and the Southeast for free for up to five days as Places Leisure encourages everyone to get active for National Fitness Day.
Places Leisure, which has almost 50 facilities across London and the Southeast and 100 in total in England, is giving away free five-day passes to the public which would allow people to access gyms, swimming, exercise classes and more. This is being done to support National Fitness Day on 18 September – an annual UK Active initiative to encourage people to reap the physical, social and mental benefits of physical activity.
Now in its 13th year, National Fitness Day will again this year have a theme of Your Health is For Life – after great success last year.
To support the initiative and to encourage new people to introduce fitness into their life, Places for People is offering free five-day membership passes to all of its leisure centres. It is also offering current members the opportunity to give a five-day free pass to a friend or family member.
Tony Penge, Places Leisure Contractor Manager in Wokingham, said: “Fitness is for absolutely everyone and if there is one message we want to make loud and clear this National Fitness Day, that is exactly it.
“There are sadly a great deal of barriers standing in people’s way when it comes to staying active and we feel a duty to break them down and to make everyone feel comfortable and confident.
“Places Leisure is part of the Places for People group, the UK’s leading social enterprise, which means our profits go back into helping communities and our number one focus is the health and wellbeing of the public.
“We know that for a lot of people the idea of joining a leisure centre or a gym can feel quite daunting if it is something they have never done before so we have decided to offer a five-day free pass which allows people to have full access to all facilities at their local leisure centre and our friendly on-site staff will be on hand to offer inductions to ease people in. This will not just include pool and gym access, but those taking up the free five-day pass will be able to take part in the huge variety of classes we have available too across nearly 50 centres in London and the Southeast.
“Fitness is not a one-size-fits-all approach and people need to try what works for them and what they enjoy. We really encourage everyone who can access a Places Leisure facility to take up our free five-day pass offer and make fitness a part of your life and future. Your gains start here.”
12-year-old Dexter Rosier recently took on a 230-mile cycle challenge to Paris for the opening of the Paralympic games to raise £10,000 for charities close to his heart. Setting off from his hometown of Woodley on 25 August, Dexter rode for three days, covering 65 miles on day one, 85 miles and day two and 74 miles on day three, joined by his mum Sam Rosier.
Dexter Rosier’s 230-mile ride was a fundraising adventure of a lifetime to support Sport in Mind, Fanconi Hope, and Wheelpower. To train for the mammoth challenge, Dexter began training earlier this year with the support of Places Leisure’s Bulmershe Leisure Centre who offered him a free strength and cycling programme and use of the gym to help his fundraising efforts. Dave Covey, Group Workout Instructor at Places Leisure, even rode alongside Dexter and Sam to Paris.
Dexter said: “Being fit and active can mean something really different from one person to another. I took on my 230-mile cycling challenge because I wanted to raise money for charities that mean a lot to me, but it also meant a lot to be able to inspire others to chase their dreams. This is the power physical activity can have.
“As well as the feeling of achievement, the feeling of physically pushing yourself and growing stronger and fitter is hard to compete with. All journeys like mine start somewhere and I was so grateful to have the support of Places Leisure’s Bulmershe Leisure Centre from the start to the end of my challenge. I urge everyone to take advantage of the free five-day pass being offered this National Fitness Day – this could be the start of your very own fitness journey.”
Dexter has raised over £10,000 (his initial fund-raising target). Just visit Dexter’s Pedal to Paris fundraising cycle ride | Total Active Hub to learn more and donate.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “ukactive members are the driving force behind National Fitness Day, hosting thousands of free events to reach even more people and help spread the message around the importance of lifelong physical activity.
“It’s brilliant to see this initiative from Places Leisure offering free five-day passes to encourage people from all communities to get involved on the day, and beyond.
“Millions of people will be heading down to their local leisure centres, gyms, sports clubs and facilities to try something new and we’re looking forward to seeing all the different ways the nation will be celebrating this year’s theme, Your Health is for Life.”
Find your nearest Places Leisure Centre and sign up for your free five-day pass today.
