FITNESS FUN DAY

5th July 2004

FITNESS FUN DAY AT SPORTING EDGE

Edge Hill?s Sporting Edge community sports complex is supporting the Government?s drive to reduce soaring obesity rates in the UK. To celebrate its first seven years as a sporting complex, a free Family Fun Day, on Sunday 18th July, will launch the newly refurbished and extended fitness suite, and offer a range of activities for all the family.

St Helens Rugby League stars Darren Albert and Paul Wellens will be throwing their weight behind the Sporting Edge?s campaign to fight the flab, when they officially open the new gym at 12.45pm.

Fitness Manager Rob Stewart is hoping that people will take the opportunity to try out some of the activities on offer.

He said: "The Government is promoting the importance of regular exercise and its role in reducing the risk of illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. Here at Sporting Edge we can help to make healthy activity an enjoyable part of your lifestyle. The Family fun Day will offer free and fun activities suitable for everyone. There will be swimming, badminton, fitness classes, charity challenges in the fitness suite and sports challenges such as rugby goal kicking and netball. There will also be displays of martial arts and dancing as well as tours of the facilities."

As an experienced fitness specialist, Rob has worked at the Sporting Edge for two years and helped many to gain a new lease of life through weight loss and activity programmes.

Jean O?Brien from Ormskirk has reaped the benefits from using the free personal training service, having lost over four stones in two years, as well as reducing her dependence on medication.

Jean said: "I had started to lose weight before I joined Sporting Edge but I had some way to go before reaching my target. The staff developed a personalised exercise programme for me that includes cardiovascular as well as resistance work. I am still losing weight and I don?t have to rely on medication to reduce my blood pressure, as that is now under control. My gym visits have become a way of life now and I feel much happier and healthier as a result. The staff have been really supportive and because my programme is changed on a regular basis, I don?t get bored with the same work out."

The Sporting Edge also hosts a range of activities for children from swimming lessons to mini soccer coaching, as well as school holiday play schemes. Local and regional sports clubs are also making the most of the first class facilities, holding regular classes in athletics, basketball, football, tennis, fencing, dancing and gymnsatics.

For further information about Sporting Edge please call 01695 584745.

ENDS

EDITOR?S NOTES: Photographers and Journalists are invited. Please report to Sporting Edge reception at 12.30pm on Sunday 18th July and ask for Rob Stewart.

For further press information please contact: Roisin Rowley-Smith PR Manager Tel: 01695 584509 Fax: 01695 584355 E mail: rowlesr@edgehill.ac.uk or pressoffice@edgehill.ac.uk