Get moving more this National Fitness Day
National Fitness Day on 20 September is a chance to highlight the importance of physical activity and remind us of the different ways we can all be more active.
The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Your Health is for Life’ which is aiming to encourage people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to recognise and celebrate the life-long physical and mental benefits of being active.
Being more active and spending less time being inactive, has huge benefits to our physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
Physical activity helps people to fight cancer, type 2 diabetes, skeletal and muscular pain, depression, anxiety, and many other conditions.
It can help to boost our mood and self-esteem, improve concentration and quality of sleep, as well as reducing stress and clinical depression.
It also brings people together from different backgrounds and helps us to enjoy spending time with family, friends and people in our community.
These benefits can be enjoyed by everyone if we build small amounts of physical activity into our daily routines.
It’s never too late to start enjoying the benefits of moving more.
Councillor Bruno de Oliveira, chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board said:
“Being active is good for our physical health and mental wellbeing, and also helps us to connect with others and improve our quality of life.
“But there is no one-size-fits-all. What works for you might not be right for someone else.
“By fitting more activity into our everyday lives – at home, in our schools and workplaces and as we travel – and taking advantage of the opportunities in Brighton & Hove, we can all enjoy the benefits of moving more.”
Take advantage of National Fitness Day offers in our Leisure Centres
Try out the gym or classes at any of the Freedom Leisure centres for free on National Fitness Day and have discounts on membership too. Many other gyms and fitness centres are also running similar offers. Search the National Fitness Day Activity Finder.
Find free activities throughout the year
Search for free sports and activities for people of all ages and abilities across the city in our online Active for Life calendar. Activities include tennis, group sports, dancing, Pilates and running.
Young people aged 18 and under who live or go to school in the city can swim for free in pools in Brighton & Hove. Find out more about the free swimming scheme on the Freedom Leisure website or by calling 0845 803 5519.
Free, guided Healthwalks are a great way for people of all ages and abilities to be active, improve your health and meet other people. The walks vary in location and length, so you can find a Healthwalk that suits you.
Make use of our sports and leisure facilities
There’s wide range of indoor and outdoor leisure facilities you can use in Brighton & Hove including leisure centres and swimming pools.
The Leisure Card offers discounts on some activities at the centres for people in receipt of some benefits.
Look up outdoor sports facilities that can be hired such as tennis courts, football pitches, bowling greens or a cycle track. Or try out your favourite wheeled sports at one of our free skateparks.
Explore our parks, open spaces and seafront
Make the most of our brilliant parks and open spaces by taking a stroll in the fresh air, looking out for wildlife or having a kickabout with friends. There’s also around 8 miles of coastline in the city to explore.
There’s playgrounds in most of our parks and along the seafront for little ones to enjoy too.
Travel actively around the city
Traveling actively is one of the most effective and easy ways to fit more physical activity into your daily life. It’s good for you, saves you money and helps improve air quality for all the city’s residents too.
We’ll soon have almost 800 Beryl BTN Bikes across the city for hire, including electric bikes.
If you download the BetterPoints app and log when you walk, cycle, skate, or use public transport you can earn discounts at local shops and cafes every time you don’t use a car to get around.