Becoming active on National Fitness Day
Today is National Fitness Day (Wednesday 26 September) and organisers are encouraging the nation to celebrate the fun of fitness and physical activity across the UK. Activity Alliance works with the fitness sector to increase the number of accessible facilities and opportunities for disabled people. To celebrate National Fitness Day we are highlighting the important work we do to break down barriers and promote disabled people's stories about being active.
Activity Alliance is a passionate advocate of exercise and the many benefits it can bring disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. Here, we take you through some of our programmes, campaigns and individuals' stories.
Sharing disabled people's stories on being active
Me, Being Active films
December 2017 saw the release of our new collection of Me, Being Active films. Viewers met seven disabled people with a range of impairments and long-term health conditions, who all lead active lives. Meet Sam and Tesfai.
Sam – personal trainer and Zumba instructor
“My hope for the future is that the fitness industry becomes much more disability friendly. Offering more memberships for disabled people and employing disabled fitness instructors to help promote inclusivity all around.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiPLdWDTK4M&index=6&t=22s&list=PLA7MMK5VqkdrmtoMd0SYc93xPGx8-iu_S
Tesfai – takes part in yoga at leisure centre
“Fear of the unknown can hold many people back, I believe that this can be eradicated by being active and supporting disabled people to participate in all of life's activities.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CDAeuVjXOU&list=PLA7MMK5VqkdrmtoMd0SYc93xPGx8-iu_S&index=7
Blogs
Earlier this month, 17 year-old Sami, told us how he is now confident enough to go to the gym on his own.
“My journey in this started last year when I met Ben Andrews from Empower You which supports disabled people to lead more active lifestyles. Ben showed me how to use equipment and helped me feel more comfortable in the gym. 12-weeks after working with Ben I was confident enough to go to the gym on my own and one-year on I am still going to the gym independently or sometimes train with my mum.”
In August, 61 year-old gym goer, Christine told us how being active has been essential in improving her mobility.
“I regularly attend the gym and make use of the hand-trike, other equipment and participate in a few classes. I get assistance where needed but I’d say I’m pretty confident now to do most of it myself. I really enjoy being active because it makes me feel I am taking back control of my life. Being active has been essential in improving my mobility as I need my upper body strength to just move around. Basically, my arms are my legs and my wheelchair act as my toes.”
If you want to be more active but aren't sure how to start, visit our dedicated webpages for advice.
Guiding providers on delivering more appealing opportunities
Talk to Me – Ten principles
In June, we released the Ten Principles film to guide providers to deliver more appealing and inclusive opportunities. If embedded within planning and delivery, the principles can be the vital ingredient for delivering activities that will support disabled people to be and stay active for life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kFKuFcNQMM&list=PLA7MMK5VqkdpFY5hCV-rKIuc2KJ3BNLlj&index=4&t=0s
Watch the Ten Principles film below.
You can watch our Ten Principles on our YouTube channel.
Supporting the leisure sector
This year, Activity Alliance joined forces with Quest, the UK’s leading quality scheme for sport and leisure, to mainstream our Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) Mark programme and ensure more leisure operators can access helpful information to include disabled people.
The IFI has been established for many years, supporting leisure centres to become more welcoming and accessible environments for disabled people. The programme continues to be an important part of our work to make active lives possible.
2017-2018 saw 25 facilities across 11 leisure operators complete the IFI Mark accreditation via Quest.
Caroline Constantine, Operations Director at Quest said:
“This partnership is a win-win for everyone involved. Operators taking part in Quest no longer have to pay for a separate award to demonstrate their inclusive fitness credentials, while Activity Alliance can reach and support a wide range of facilities and organisation that want to include disabled people more effectively.”
If you are a disabled person looking for an inclusive gym near you, visit our facility search.
If you are a facility or equipment supplier looking to find out more about the IFI Mark, visit our IFI website section.
Join the conversation and show your support for National Fitness Day on social media, use #Fitness2Me and #FitnessDay. Find out more about National Fitness Day.
