BEARS TO DELIVER FREE COMMUNITY FITNESS

Bears in the Community Free Park Fitness Sessions

Bears in the Community are excited to launch fun and FREE Park Fitness sessions starting this week across Coventry.

In line with the Government’s ‘tackling obesity’ drive, Bears in the Community coaches are offering FREE fitness sessions in three Coventry parks spread across the city to try to encourage young people to get more physically active. The aim of the fitness sessions, designed for and ideally targeted at 11 – 24 year olds (although younger children are welcome to join in), is to encourage participants to get fit whilst having fun outdoors. Fitness can easily be built up with virtually no equipment and most of all it is really positive for both the mind and the body. This is why the sessions will be delivered by our expert Coaches, accessible for any level of fitness (complete beginner to more advanced) and will be totally free to turn up to and get involved.

On Tuesdays, Bears in the Community coaches will be in Edgewick Park in Foleshill. The first session will begin at 1pm, running for 45 minutes and is suitable for young people – all levels of fitness will be catered for. Another session will start at 2pm and a third at 3pm. Participants are welcome to watch a session before they join another one if they are uncertain. Covid precautions will be in place including social distancing and hand sanitisation before and after sessions. Participants are free to just walk up and join in (but please wear suitable footwear and bring a water bottle).

On Wednesdays sessions will similarly take place at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm at the Memorial Park, Earlsdon. Finally, Thursdays, coaches will be running sessions at Primrose Hill Park in Hillfields at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Sessions will run weekly on the same days and at the same locations throughout the summer holiday period, aiming to build up good habits of weekly exercise to make a real difference to the young people taking part.

The UK Government set out a strategy to tackle obesity on Monday 27th July after Public Health England research found that being overweight or obese puts people at greater risk of serious illness or death from Covid-19. (Source: BBC News). With nearly two thirds of the UK population estimated to be above a healthy weight, physical exercise is a great way to start the journey to a healthier lifestyle. Following recent months of the population being in lockdown coupled with the Midlands seeing higher than other parts of the country with obesity related hospital admissions (Source: BBC News), what better way to use the summer months and the beautiful outdoor green space in Coventry Parks – than to get fit for FREE!

Please support this project by signposting young people you know to join in #InThisTogether

This project is made possible with funding from the Heart of England Foundation via Positive Youth Foundation. No booking is necessary to take part in the Park Fitness sessions, but if you would like any further information please contact debbie.watson@coventrybears.co.uk or call or text 07718 365465.