Media release: 20 September 2024
A new fitness challenge to help people reduce their risk of heart disease is being led with a new partnership between the Heart Foundation and Fitness & Lifestyle Group (FLG).
A striking new fitness challenge to help people reduce their risk of heart disease is being spearheaded with a new partnership between the Heart Foundation and Fitness & Lifestyle Group, the owner of Fitness First Australia and Goodlife Health Clubs.
The newly inked collaboration will begin on 1 October 2024 with Fitness First Australian gyms running the Hearts First Challenge for members throughout the entire month.
The Challenge invites members to undertake 30 minutes or more of physical activity every day, which is the recommendation for adults as set out in the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines.
Research shows that being physically active for 30 minutes per day can reduce your risk of heart disease by 35 per cent.
Under the initiatives, gym members will raise money for the Heart Foundation to support vital research into heart disease. FLG is committed to matching the first $30,000 raised by its members.
The Heart Foundation National Health Manager, Kym Lang, said fitness clubs such as Fitness First provided a supportive environment to help people achieve their goals.
By going to a gym, people can easily achieve the recommended minimum level of physical activity of 30 minutes per day and two strength-based sessions per week, to boost their heart health.
Kym Lang, National Health Manager
Heart Foundation
Heart Foundation CEO David Lloyd said the partnership leveraged each brand’s strengths and would have a lasting impact on cardiovascular health promotion in Australia.
Our missions are deeply connected: both the Fitness Lifestyle Group and the Heart Foundation want to help people become the healthiest versions of themselves. It’s a partnership in which there’s deep alignment at every level.
David Lloyd
CEO, Heart Foundation
“There is an integral connection between physical fitness and cardiovascular health. Just 30 minutes of exercise a day can reduce your risk of heart disease by 35%. On the other hand, a heart attack is a lifechanging event – and sadly for many, a life-ending one.
“By encouraging people to exercise more often and seek out supportive environments to exercise in, we hope to move the needle on helping people to stay heart healthy for longer.”
Our partnership with the Heart Foundation is a perfect match. Their commitment to heart health aligns seamlessly with our mission. We're excited to join forces and raise funds for groundbreaking research that will benefit Australians everywhere.
Greg Oliver
CEO & Group Managing Director, FLG
For more information and to register, visit the Hearts First Challenge website.
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Last updated20 September 2024