National Fitness Day: Wednesday 18 September

National Fitness Day is the most active day of the year. A day when people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities come together to celebrate the fun of fitness and also recognise the incredible benefits being physically active can have on our lives.

Free activities

This year we will be celebrating National Fitness Day with a range of FREE activities at each centre so that members and non-members can participate side-by-side. Please ensure that you’re following your local centre on social media for updates on what activities will be available and to be the first to see the timetable for the day.

Refer a Friend

We also have a membership referral offer. Bring a friend or family member to participate in an activity on National Fitness Day and and if they become a member, you will be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad Pro! For more information about our referral campaign, see here. Winners will be announced the first week of October. 

And finally, for all those people out there that like to push themselves hard in the gym, we are hosting a one-off national gym challenge with some fantastic prizes provided by Life Fitness, Les Mills and Jordan Fitness. See below for further details.

GYM CHALLENGE

This year, to celebrate National Fitness Day, we will be encouraging members to perform four simple exercises TWICE back-to-back in the fastest possible time, to enable us to crown the fittest male and fittest female.

PRIZES

We have some amazing prizes for the winners, provided by our key fitness equipment suppliers, Life Fitness, Les Mills and Jordan Fitness:

  • Fastest overall male & female each win a Jungle Gym XT
  • Fastest male 50+ and female 50+ win MyZone Switch Heart Rate Belt
  • 10 entrants drawn at random will receive 1 month free Les Mills+ On Demand Membership

400m Run

The first exercise in the challenge takes place on a treadmill which should be set with a 0% incline. The speed is dependent on your own ability and should be set manually by yourself throughout the exercise. Please remember to stop the treadmill at the end of the 400m.

20 x Alternating Dumbbell Snatches

The next exercise is alternating dumbbell snatches. For this exercise, men are required to lift 16kg and women need to lift 10kg. You perform this exercise by pulling the dumbbell up from the floor with one hand and pressing it overhead by extending your arm to full extension. Your elbow and knees must be locked out at the top of the repetition before placing the dumbbell back down and repeating with the other arm. The dumbbell must touch the floor between each repetition to count. You must alternate between arms for each repetition. Repeat 20 times.

20 x Goblet Squats

Goblet squats come next. For this exercise participants should use the same dumbbell as on the previous exercise, 16kg for men and 10kg for women.

The single dumbbell should be picked up from the floor and held vertically at chest height with palms facing upwards. The dumbbell should remain in this position throughout the exercise. Lifting the dumbbell from the floor to the upright starting position does not count as a repetition. At the top of the movement the knees should be locked straight and at the bottom of the movement the upper thighs must be at least as low as parallel to the ground to ensure a full range of movement. Focus on maintaining a straight back throughout. Repeat 20 times.

20 x Alternating Dumbbell Rows

The final exercise is alternating dumbbell rows which is again performed with the same dumbbell, 16kg for men and 10kg for women. With a wide shoulder-width stance, straight back and approximately a 45 degree hip angle, the dumbbell should be lifted off the ground with one hand and raised vertically until it is inline with the torso. It should then be lowered back down to the floor before the movement is repeated on the opposite side. The dumbbell must touch the floor between each repetition. Repeat 20 times.

Rules:

  • Repeat all 4 exercises for a 2nd round before stopping the clock in the fastest time you can.
  • The clock starts as soon as you press quick start on the treadmill during the first round and doesn’t stop until you finish the last exercise on the second round.
  • The clock must continue running as you transition between exercises.
  • You may rest as much as required but the clock must continue.
  • The attempt must be witnessed by a member of staff, who will officially log your time.
  • Any failure to adhere to the movement standards will result in repetitions not counting or disqualification from the competition. The decision made by the member of staff is final.
  • Where sites do not have a 16kg available, men may substitute with a 15kg dumbbell and their time will still count.
  • You may have multiple attempts.
  • The stop button must be pressed on the treadmill before you progress to the next exercise in the interest of safety, you will be disqualified if you leave the treadmill running.
  • You must be 16 years or older to enter.
  • All other gym rules apply.