National Fitness Day, which this year falls on Wednesday 26th September, is a UK-wide celebration of the fun that fitness and physical activity can offer in helping us to lead healthier lives. “Strictly Come Dancing” judge, Darcy Bussell, is kick-starting the day in central London with a morning dance fitness workout, and there are lots of other fitness-related events for the public to join in with happening throughout the country.

Playing its own part in raising awareness of this campaign, in which we celebrate getting fitter and feeling better, Welcome Gym is running an Open Day on 26th September at all five of its gyms. Whether or not you are an existing member, you are invited to bring along a friend, work colleague, partner or relative to the gym for a free workout, the chance to participate in some free classes or to look round and have a chat with our friendly staff. A variety of activities are planned and our doors are open all day for tours, drop in sessions, freebies and offers, including a “no joining fee” deal on our popular Flexible Monthly gym membership option.

Individual Welcome Gym clubs are planning their own special National Fitness Day events. These include:-

Cheltenham

• A pop-up stall with personal trainer, Hannah Howell, who will be offering advice on nutrition. As well as food-related competitions, such as "guess the portion size to deliver 25g of protein", Hannah will be offering calorie and nutrient awareness tests and tastings of healthy post-workout snacks and easy breakfast ideas. She'll also be handing out recipe cards.
• A strength competition will be running throughout the day with advice on safe lifting and improving your technique for bench press, squat, deadlift, shoulder press and "farmer's walk" exercises, based on the Wilks formula.
• Free sample personal training sessions will be offered by in-house PT Joel Whippman of "Just Want Fitness", at just an hour's notice. Contact Joel to book a slot at justwantpersonaltraining@gmail.com
• Reduced prices on sports therapy and massage from Fullyfit Therapy; you can sign up at the Reception desk.
• Plus come and see us on the day at our local Regent Arcade shopping centre from 10am - 5pm, with lots of activities and prizes to win, it's well worth a visit!

Maidstone

• Free Apex classes at 10am and 2pm
• Free advice on optimising your nutrition with Assistant Manager, Simon Ottaway and one of the club's in-house personal trainers from 3pm - 5pm.

High Wycombe

• Free entry into a prize draw to anyone trying out the club on National Fitness Day with the chance to win a free One Month gym membership.

Southend

• A fitness class demonstration on the ground floor of the Victoria Plaza Shopping Centre, where Welcome Gym is located, between 12pm and 2pm. Pop along and see us and receive a free gift.
• Fitness challenge in the gym - how many burpees/squat thrusts can you achieve in one minute? Participants will be entered into our free prize draw.

So save the date – 26th September 2018 - and join the nation in its commitment to improving its health and fitness by attending your local Welcome Gym - you'll be very welcome!