September is the new January for fitness - GoodLife Fitness challenges Canadians to #MAKEITHAPPEN

New brand campaign shares stories of overcoming obstacles to reach fitness goals

LONDON, ON, Sept. 15, 2015 /CNW/ - With another school year underway, now is the perfect time to establish a fresh fitness routine – but physically getting to the gym is often the hardest part of getting started. A new brand campaign from GoodLife Fitness is encouraging Canadians to overcome their fitness barriers by showcasing real-life examples of Canadians who did just that.

The Struggle is Real. #makeithappen campaign shares stories of Canadians who overcame their own struggles and found the motivation to achieve their health and fitness goals.

According to a new survey conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of GoodLife Fitness, the most common barriers to going to the gym among Canadians are financial considerations (30%), lack of time (27%), fatigue (20%) and other commitments, such as work, family and volunteering (20%). When the same Canadians were asked what would motivate them to start going to the gym regularly, one in four respondents (25%) cited setting a personal goal or life choice as their top motivator.

"Everyone has something that motivates them, and finding it is a key to success," says David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans, GoodLife Fitness Founder & CEO. "Let these stories inspire you, motivate you and encourage you to push past your own barriers to make fitness and activity a part of your life. Get out there and make it happen."

Survey results also showed that the best motivators to get Canadians to the gym include a reliable training partner or friend to go with (20%), a health scare or doctor's recommendation (18%) and convenient location of the gym (18%).

Real Members. Real Stories.

As part of the campaign, GoodLife tapped into its 1.2 million members and over 14,400 employees to identify and profile members and employees in a number of inspiring stories. Throughout the fall, videos will be released online and on social media profiling the real stories of Canadians across the country who overcame their struggles to succeed in living a healthier lifestyle.

The video series is hosted on the GoodLife YouTube channel and is made up of 19 different videos profiling GoodLife member and employee stories across one campaign video, four mini-documentaries and 14 GoodLife member and employee story videos:

• The campaign video incorporates real tweets from Canadians that show the struggle – and the success – Canadians face every day by living a healthy lifestyle.
• The four mini-documentaries profile GoodLife members and employees from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax and their personal stories. In one video, Joel from Toronto shares his story of surviving a heart attack and how it helped him make a change to healthy life choices. 
• GoodLife member Lisa from Calgary is one of the 14 Canadians who share their stories in the member video series.  Like many Canadians, Lisa spends a lot of her time at a desk during the day and finds maintaining a healthy routine is key to achieving her fitness goals.

Canadians are invited to share their own stories and words of encouragement on social media using #makeithappen.

"You don't have to change your entire schedule; even making small changes and establishing small short-term goals can have a very positive impact your life," says Patch. "We want Canadians to know that the struggle is real, and that GoodLife is here to help them achieve their health, fitness and wellness goals."

Between the over 350 locations across Canada, low-cost membership options through Fit4Less by GoodLife, and a wide array of industry-leading fitness classes and personal trainers available, GoodLife sets members up for success and helps Canadians achieve their goals every day.

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. Pick up the new 2015 edition of Living the GoodLife: Health and Success for You – For Canada, by David Patchell-Evans to learn more about his life story and how challenges can actually be the best opportunity to gain greater persistence, patience and compassion.  

About the Survey
The survey was conducted through Ipsos Reid's online omnibus among a sample of 1,507 Canadians between July 30 and August 5, 2015 from Ipsos' online panel of respondents who were interviewed online, including 1,221 who do not currently go to a gym on a regular basis. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe.

About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader and the country's leading provider of public opinion research. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in Canada, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and on-line panels. Ipsos Reid's Canadian marketing research and public affairs practices are staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, offering the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada—all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group. To learn more, visit http://www.ipsos.ca/.

SOURCE GoodLife Fitness

Media Contact: Amy Shanfield, North Strategic on behalf of GoodLife Fitness, 647-629-2402, [email protected]; Adam Roberts, Public Relations Specialist, GoodLife Fitness, 226-377-1815, [email protected]