How to strengthen community partnerships through exercise, with Notts County

Community exercise opportunities are more than just about the sweat. They bring people together, and often give people who may not move as much the understanding they need to stay more active day-to-day.

Following the partnership announcement between Notts County FC and Myzone, Meadow Lane played host to a community workout that brought bodies and businesses together through the spirit of physical activity and creating better habits.

Led by Myzone master trainer, Billy Burchett, to celebrate National Fitness Day, the workout consisted of boxing and bodyweight movements to take every participant through their heart rate zones for a mix of intensity and recovery.

Class participants and Myzone crew were also supported by local David Lloyd and Wagamama staff as the event showed just how communities can come together to strengthen their bonds through exercise.

Encourage more communities to get active

“We had a great day hosting National Fitness Day in The Nest at Notts County FC,” Gareth Wallen, account executive at Myzone, explains. “It’s a cracking venue to host it and it was great to have many local businesses involved to encourage our community to move more and stay active.

“The team at Notts County FC have been amazing since the start of the partnership and I'm looking forward to seeing what's to come. A personal highlight was seeing Eric, 81, come and get involved.

“He'd already had one hip replacement and is due another but he showed up and participated throughout which was what these kinds of events are all about.”

Challenge yourself at any age

Ant and Eric are both season ticket holders at Notts County, and joined the session after their club invited them to take part.

“I really enjoyed the workout,” says Ant. “It was hard, though! The lunges were the hardest as I’d already trained legs this morning, but it was all really good fun.”

“I’ve had a hip replacement and I’m due another one,” explains Eric. “I wanted to know how fit I was, with some level of assessment. At 81 there’s not many places you can go. When Notts County invited me to this, I wanted to come and give it a go. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it!”

Notts County uniting people through sweat

“It was great to see members of the Notts County community coming to support their club with the National Fitness Day initiative,” adds Billy. “I can’t really put into words how positive it is to see a community moving together, united by a passion for something as important their football club.

“It was so good to train alongside so many people of different ages with such a variety of abilities. Initiatives such as this go beyond the traditional scope of fitness, really showing how important it is to bring people together for an experience where everyone can exercise, achieve, and celebrate afterwards.

“These are the moments that make the difference with getting more people moving.”