We Can Be Active Strategy
We play a strategic role in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Date: 21 August 2024 Author: Energise Me
National Fitness Day is an annual celebration of health and fitness taking place on Wednesday 18th of September. It’s dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to embrace a more active lifestyle.
Now in its 13th year, National Fitness Day is the nation’s most active day of the year. It involves a wide range of organisations opening their doors and hosting free sessions to encourage as many people as possible to try something new and reap the physical, social and mental benefits of physical activity.
According to UK Active, in 2023, ‘10.2 million people in the UK were directly motivated to participate in some form of activity on National Fitness Day, whether for the first time or the hundredth time.’
The theme ‘Your Health Is For Life’ has rolled on from last year. Regardless of age, ability or fitness level, this theme emphasises the role physical activity can play in our physical and mental health at every stage of our lives.
National Fitness Day is a great opportunity for the physical activity sector to demonstrate its importance in creating happier and healthier lives.
Happy and healthy workers deliver results. This day is an excellent opportunity to support your workforce’s health and wellbeing. You can either encourage them to participate in a National Fitness Day event or host a team activity. Energise Me enjoy organising team walks!
We have a Workplace Wellbeing Toolkit that can help you do this all year round.
By demonstrating your commitment to health and fitness and hosting taster activities, you can have a positive impact on the wellbeing of your local community. (And be remembered for it!)
We know our children and young people need positive early experiences to live active lifestyles. National Fitness Day is a great opportunity to highlight the importance of physical activity and shift the narrative from competition to having fun.
You can also do this by hosting your own We Can Week to increase children’s understanding of their physical and mental health.
Last year, Energise Me learnt some Indian dancing from our Marketing and Communications Officer, Akshayaa, and shared how members of our team enjoy getting active. And we will surely be doing something similar in 2024! So, what can you do?
Organise activity classes, workshops or wellbeing seminars for your workforce or local community.
Do you have a workplace bulletin you could sign-post to some local physical activity sessions? Do you have a social media platform where you can share tips on staying active or highlighting the benefits of being so? Every voice increases the noise!
By opening up about your challenges, successes and the steps you’ve taken to be active, you may inspire those who feel an active lifestyle is out of reach. When people see someone they can relate to – whether that’s the thing stopping them, finding time in a busy schedule or being afraid to start – they may realise that physical activity is for everyone.
You could write a blog post, share a caption on social media, engage in a conversation with a friend or co-worker, or submit your physical activity stories by filling in our Good News From You form.
If you’re an activity provider or leisure centre hosting a session for National Fitness Day, you can upload them to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Activity Finder for free so that Energise Me can help to promote your offer.
Here’s how to do that if you’re an activity provider.
Here’s how to do that if you’re a leisure centre.
In preparation for September 18th, download the toolkit on the National Fitness Day website.
So, lace up those trainers, gather your team, and get ready to celebrate National Fitness Day with enthusiasm, energy and, of course, movement!
Helping us tackle inactivity to boost health and happiness
