People living in the Golden Valley area are being encouraged to shape up and visit a new mobile fitness bus, at two taster days arranged by Herefordshire Council.
The shape trailer is a mobile fitness vehicle which contains hi-tech gym equipment including treadmills, bikes, rowing machines and fitness testing facilities. It will be parked up at the Ewyas Harold Memorial Hall on Thursday 24th May and at Peterchurch Fire Station on Friday 25th May from 12noon-6pm.
The trailer comes with a dedicated fitness instructor, and for the taster days, will be accompanied by a team of training consultants, sports development officers and health staff who can advise on diet, fitness and lifestyle changes including support for giving up smoking.
Visitors to the trailer will be able to have their fitness levels checked and see some of the equipment demonstrated by the trailer’s fitness team. The team will also be talking to health and education professionals about how the facilities can be used as part of a wider programme to improve the health and fitness of the local population.
The trailer belongs to Whitecross High School and Specialist Sports College, which is working with the council to take the facility out into the Golden Valley area on a part-time basis for community use.
It is hoped it can be used as part of a exercise referral scheme known as LIFT (Lifestyle Improvement for Today), which aims to increase the physical activity of those medically prescribed exercise by health professionals. But it could also be used by local schools and community groups to encourage children and their families to get in shape.
Joy Williams, exercise referral & physical activity development officer, said: “The trailer is a great way of getting fitness facilities and the LIFT programme out to the rural communities. It takes a lot of organisation and time to transport the trailer to rural venues, so we need to make sure we get it right and maximise its use.
“We’re open to ideas and want people to drop into our taster days and tell us what they need from the service.
“With a nationwide drive to tackle obesity and encourage healthy lifestyles, particularly in schools, there are great opportunities for children and young people, GPs and local community groups to use this opportunity and get the Golden Valley in shape.”