Free kick-start to your health and fitness journey
A charity is offering free fitness showcase events to encourage local communities to get active and live better
YMCA Fylde Coast has a host of offers throughout January to help you start the new year on the right foot – whether you are already an exercise fanatic or looking to start your fitness journey.
The charity is offering free one-day membership passes, free January fitness showcase events and a sale on a selection of annual memberships. That means access to 8 fitness studios, 5 swimming pools and over 400 fitness and relaxation classes per week.
“We aim to get our communities active by taking the next step to a new you and starting your health and fitness journey with us,” said Michael Harrison, from YMCA Fylde Coast.
“As a charity, we reinvest back into our community. Over the last couple of years and together with our partners, we have recently invested over £1 million into our centres with the latest state of the art equipment and fitness technology.”
In addition to January’s special offers, throughout the year the YMCA offers a 12-week ‘Your Move Programme’.
People and families concerned about their health and meeting the criteria can complete a self-referral form to join a variety of programmes from physical activity to weight management.
“Our mission is to enable all sectors of our community to live better through physical activity and get active to improve their health and wellbeing,” said Michael.
“Ultimately, our mission is to build stronger individuals and families through physical activity, because we believe this plays an essential part in developing more socially connected and healthier communities.”
Michelle, 37, broke her back while horse riding and was left in hospital for five weeks completely immobile.
Before starting the YMCA Your Move Weight Management Programme, Michelle was sceptical as she had been on other diets which hadn’t worked for her.
However, once she had attended her first session she was surprised at how different and effective the Your Move Programme was.
“Within the group sessions I enjoyed the setting, it was friendly and supportive,” she said.
“There was plenty of group interaction and I never felt like I was being talked at or judged by anyone."
Since joining the programme, Michelle says her mental well-being has improved and she feels more positive and motivated having lost 4stone and 11lbs.
Linda, 64, attended the Weight Management and Physical Activity Programme.
“I was relatively inactive before the programme and felt quite lonely after the recent passing of husband,” she said.
“After speaking with my friend, she recommended joining the programme. I thought it would help me get out and socialise.
“I have loved using the cardiovascular machines in the gym and can now spend up to 30 mins on the cross trainer.
“Also attending a supervised gym session where I saw my referral officer on a regular basis gave me motivation to carry on coming in.”
The Your Move programme emphasises just how different the YMCA is from other gyms. The YMCA is an independent charity forming part of the worldwide YMCA movement and has been established on the Fylde Coast since 1922.
Over the last 95 years, it has extended its work into nine communities and manages 18 sites working on four main areas – physical activity, housing, young people and outdoor education.
“Our services are designed to support all sections of society, but in particular young people, with the intention of helping everyone to achieve their full physical, social, cultural and spiritual potential,” said Michael.
“We aim every day to change and enhance lives by providing opportunities for growth and development of people in body, mind and spirit.”
To find out more about the January offers and the work of YMCA Fylde Coast visit ymcayactive.org.For more information on the Your Move Programmes visit yourmoveprogramme.co.uk