The London Aquatics Centre has today been named as the venue to kick-off National Fitness Day 2024 (18 September), with the summer of sport set to reach its climax during celebrations in communities across the nation.
National Fitness Day is the UK’s most active day of the year and ukactive has partnered with operator Everyone Active to host the kick-off at the famous Olympic venue which is now used to support people to lead healthy and active lifestyles.
The kick-off event at the Aquatics Centre will see special guests join a series of group classes and sessions designed to help people of all ages to be more active, whether they aspire to win gold one day or simply to have fun and stay healthy.
Thousands more activities will be taking place across the nation on Wednesday 18 September, as ukactive’s members use the campaign’s theme, ‘Your Health is for Life’, to help millions of people from all communities, ages and backgrounds to celebrate the benefits of physical activity at every stage of life.
Now in its 13th year, National Fitness Day sees gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres, sports clubs, studios, schools, workplaces, and online providers encourage as many people as possible to try something new and reap the physical, social and mental benefits of being more active.
Last year, 10.2 million people in the UK were directly motivated to participate in some form of activity on National Fitness Day and the campaign had a global media reach of 57.2 million, with 31.3 million engaging on social media.
The kick-off was hosted at Salford Sports Village with GM Active and participants from its Prehab4Cancer programme.
Today’s announcement comes as ukactive launches its new National Fitness Day website, featuring fresh new branding for the campaign.
It includes a new digital campaign toolkit which is available to download for free so activity providers of all sizes can benefit from handy tips and resources, such as a guide to hosting and promoting events, posters and social media tiles.
The website includes a shop, hosted by P81, offering National Fitness Day merchandise such as hats, t-shirts and water bottles, available at wholesale rates.
This year National Fitness Day concludes a summer of sport during which Team GB competes at the Olympics Games in July and August and the Paralympics in August and September, following Scotland and England competing at the men’s Euros.
Everyone Active’s London Aquatics Centre, at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, was home to countless events during the London 2012 Olympics and now attracts more than a million visits annually for community use and its ‘learn to swim’ programmes.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “We’re delighted to announce the London Aquatics Centre as the launch venue for this year’s National Fitness Day.
“Twelve years ago, this place brought joy to the whole nation and today its pools, studios and gyms play an even greater role, supporting the physical and mental health of people in the community, alongside thousands of other facilities in communities across the UK.
“National Fitness Day is a reminder that your health is for life, and this is a chance to recognise and celebrate the array of incredible options and places that can help us to be active from childhood to our twilight years.
“Whether it’s your first time trying a new activity, a chance to rediscover a passion or making a commitment to maintain the habit year-round, we want everyone to get involved to make National Fitness Day 2024 our biggest celebration yet.”
Jacqui Tillman, Aquatics and Wellbeing Director at Everyone Active, said: “Hosting the launch of National Fitness Day 2024 at the iconic London Aquatics Centre is an incredible milestone for us.
As long-time supporters of this campaign, there’s no better way to celebrate our management of this world-class venue than by hosting such a respected event.
“The venue has transformed from an Olympic stage to a vibrant community hub engaging with the neighbourhood in which it resides.
Launching this nationwide celebration here allows us to honour both our Olympic heritage and highlight the diverse array of activities available to all.
“We stand firmly behind this year’s theme, ‘Your Health is for Life’ which perfectly aligns with Everyone Actives Purpose: Working together to Transform the Wellbeing of Communities.
We’re committed to supporting lifelong fitness journeys, reinforcing that health and wellness are truly lifelong pursuits.”
National Fitness Day 2024 will take place in partnership with men’s mental health charity, Movember, and fitness brand Endurance Zone.
Movember will help the campaign to raise awareness around the importance of mental health and the links between being physically active and improving our mental health.
The Fitness Day Rewards App from Endurance Zone is available to download from all app stores – the more you move, the more points you acquire that can be redeemed on prizes and discounts on the nation’s favourite brands.
National Fitness Day was founded by énergie Fitness in 2011 before being gifted to ukactive in 2014 to expand as the UK’s trade body for the physical activity sector.
For more information and to download your free toolkit check out the new National Fitness Day website: www.nationalfitnessday.com