Hackney,
29
July
2015
|
15:13
Europe/London

Get fit for free this summer

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Residents are being encouraged to ‘turn up and tone up’ this summer at free exercise classes in parks and community centres across Hackney.

The ‘Our Parks and Spaces’ programme of free fitness activities, which is funded by Hackney Council, has launched its summer programme, with new additions tag rugby, Tai-Chi, Soccercise and boxing yoga joining favourites such as yoga and bootcamp.

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, Hackney Council
The Our Parks and Spaces programme has been a great addition to Hackney’s leisure offer. Since it launched last autumn it has helped to increase levels of physical activity amongst more inactive residents, by providing high quality activities for free, in convenient locations within the community and in estates. We have fantastic parks and community centres in Hackney and it’s great to see residents make the most of these spaces to get fit and healthy.
Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, Hackney Council

Hackney resident Prisca Giordani has been attending hula hoop fitness sessions since they started in the borough last year. She says that the programme has helped her to lose weight and achieve her health goals, adding: “As a single parent, I can’t afford gym membership fees so this has been a life saver for me. My GP recently told me I’ve lost weight and I can feel the difference it’s made to my level of fitness. It’s really good fun too.”

Born Barikor, CEO and founder of Our Parks said: “The programme highlights the importance of exercise coupled with social interaction. We have helped build a community of Parkers (users) that have learnt to utilise their open spaces and change their attitudes towards outdoor exercise.”

Sessions are run by experienced and qualified instructors and are suitable for a range of abilities. Anyone over the age of 16 years can join in, so get fit for free now and sign up at www.ourparks.org.uk or call 0800 111 4464.