Free ParticipACTION Open House at GoodLife aims to get Canadians moving

Two leaders in physical activity invite Canadians to get started and #makeithappen November 22-30

LONDON, ON, Nov. 23, 2015 /CNW/ - GoodLife Fitness has teamed up with ParticipACTION to help Canadians get started with physical activity. From November 22 to 30, GoodLife Fitness opens its doors for its second ParticipACTION Open House to give Canadians a chance to try the gym for free. Canadians can sign up at www.goodlifefitness.com/ParticipACTION to receive free access for seven consecutive days to all GoodLife Fitness clubs across Canada.

ParticipACTION and GoodLife – two leaders in physical activity in Canada – started the Open House program to help Canadians take the first step towards a healthier, more active life.

According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey, only 15 per cent of Canadian adults are meeting the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week. Yet, nine out of 10 Canadians believe it is realistic to add an extra 10 minutes of physical activity to their routine.

"The ParticipACTION Open House at GoodLife is all about helping Canadians get started with fitness," says David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans, founder and CEO of GoodLife. "We hope that this free open house will be the spark that Canadians need to get started on the path to a healthier life."

"When it comes to getting active, doing is believing.  Once people become more active, they realize all the benefits—sleeping better, feeling better, making friends and reducing stress—and this provides motivation to do more," says Elio Antunes, president and CEO of ParticipACTION. "Even small increases in physical activity can produce measurable health benefits.  And it's never too early or too late to get started." 

Participants who sign up for a seven-day pass will receive a digital Get Started Kit, which includes a tip sheet for how to start at the gym, workout recommendations, and valuable information about physical activity.

GoodLife Fitness and ParticipACTION is also hosting a week-long fitness challenge on Facebook. The challenge invites Canadians to follow along with daily exercise routines, statistics, and tips on safe and effective form. Join the conversation about getting Canadians active using #makeithappen.

About GoodLife Fitness
Proudly Canadian since 1979, GoodLife Fitness is the largest fitness club chain in Canada and the fourth largest overall in the world. With over 350 clubs from coast-to-coast, including GoodLife Fitness, Énergie Cardio, Fit4Less by GoodLife and ÉconoFitness Clubs, approximately 14,400 employees and more than 1.2 million Members, GoodLife is helping to transform the health and wellness of 1 in 30 Canadians every day.

About ParticipACTION
ParticipACTION is a national non-profit organization that helps Canadians sit less and move more. Originally established in 1971, ParticipACTION works with its partners, which include sport, physical activity, recreation organizations, government and corporate sponsors, to make physical activity a vital part of everyday life. ParticipACTION is generously supported by the Government of Canada. For more information, please visit www.participaction.com.

Media Opportunity
Interviews with representatives for GoodLife Fitness and/or ParticipACTION are available upon request. Visuals of people exercising, interviews inside a GoodLife Fitness club and infographics are also available.

SOURCE GoodLife Fitness

Media Contact: Adam Roberts, Public Relations Specialist, GoodLife Fitness, 226-377-1815, [email protected]; Katherine Janson, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, ParticipACTION, 416-913-1471, [email protected]