OUR GUT INSTINCTIVELY knows when something is afoot. Whilst everyone knew about last week’s National fitness Day, only a handful of others knew that something very major slipped in under the radar.
Among the many events that happened on National fitness day, there was one that went unnoticed.
The intergenerational Hood Fitness challenge saw the two giants of the UK Fitness industry: David Lloyds and Nuffield Health compete against each other in a fitness challenge alongside two different teams.
Local community football club West Fulham and Super-A, a group of over fifties competitors.
Does the participation of the two behemoths mark the beginning of a new event on the fitness calendar?
Kristen Westwood and Mo Bouamari, the respective General Managers of the competing clubs, agreed that it was ‘Hood Fitness is leveller’: for the young, old, fitness newcomer and the seasoned athlete.
All age groups can participate from various backgrounds and levels of ability, and they celebrate their accomplishments together at the end of the challenge.
The exercises called Super-6 covered the components that make up total fitness. Cardiovascular Endurance, Muscular Strength, Muscular endurance and Flexibility.
The community interaction raised the awareness of the importance of physical activity and how it will help the whole UK lead healthier lifestyles.
The 1-Minute Cycle, Row, Run Challenge!
The Super-Six-exercise challenge was super short and brutally simple: to see how far you can cycle, row, run, sit-up, press-up and squat in one minute to record the furthest distance or number – an assessment of your anaerobic power and strength.
Science says that, over three months, as little as one minute of intensive exercise could have the same health benefits for the heart, respiratory fitness and muscles as 45 minutes of more typical continuous exercise.
Young competing against old?
Push-ups, sit-ups and squats are a universal test of body strength because they are easy to learn and don’t require any equipment.
Depending on your age, you should be able to do a specific number of push-ups, squats, and sit-ups in one minute.
The goal of Hood fitness
Long gone are the days when gyms were places for the fittest few. The scene has changed in recent years, and the rise of community activities has meant fitness is now far more collaborative and inclusive.
It means that you can now find community events and gyms that support you in ways that extend beyond getting fit.
1. Support is the secret
If you’ve ever hit the wall in a training session, you’ll know what it’s like to lose all hope mid-workout.
For those moments, training in a group environment or with a partner can be a saviour who keeps you going. We only need a word of encouragement, like Well done, Go for it, or You’ve got this.
2. The inspiration from everyday people
It is not always straightforward or realistic to relate to pro athletes or fitness influencers, but fitness heros can appear anywhere, including you, in your group training sessions.
Invaluable advice and experience that can inspire you and help you grow, and remember, even when you feel average, chances are you’re inspiring someone else too.
3. Fitness transcends language
No matter where you are in the world – in your gym, on holiday or in a new city – there will almost certainly be a community of fitness enthusiasts that you can join.
When you connect with people from all over the world, and you’re there, sharing your time with them, it’s heartening.
How good is it to be able to spend some time with the local community when you go on holiday, and you can train with them? You don’t even need to speak the same language fitness is universal to connection.
4. Staying focused
When life gets tough, so does training. It’s easy to let a few training sessions slide here and there when things at work are stressful or if you’ve had a change in routine. If you’re working towards a goal, though, you’ll need to stay focused.
Training on your own can be challenging if your head isn’t there, but if you’re training with others, you somehow find an inner strength to keep pushing as everyone else is.
5. Like-minded people
Surrounding yourself with people who have similar goals and mindsets will not only keep you motivated but provide you with a team of permanent cheerleaders who’ll appreciate every fitness ambition you work towards and achieve.
Plans are already in place for the next Hood Fitness Challenge to take place in March 2022.
That in itself tells you it’s probably here to stay. Finally, congratulations to the winners of the Hood fitness Challenge local community football club West Fulham.