Free health MOTs this National Fitness Day

National Fitness Day, Wednesday 20 September, is reputed to be the UK's most active day of the year, with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities taking part. This year's theme is 'Your Health is for Life', and the council is encouraging people to recognise and celebrate the life-long physical and mental benefits of being active.

This year's national campaign is taking a wider view of the importance of health and wellbeing, focusing on three key areas: mental health, nutrition & recovery, as well as physical activity itself.

Physical activity is helping millions of people in the UK to fight cancer, type 2 diabetes, skeletal and muscular pain, depression, anxiety, and many other conditions. Despite this, more than a quarter of the population in England is classed as inactive - averaging fewer than 30 minutes of exercise a week - according to Sport England's latest Active Lives Survey (opens new window).

Council leisure centres will be offering free health checks for the public between 18 September to 22 September. Those taking up a health check will also receive a free seven-day pass to access all leisure centres.

Health checks will include:

• Blood pressure check
• Resting heart rate
• Body Mass Index
• Consultation into exercise and healthy lifestyle.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Leisure said, We aim to help residents to prioritise and optimise their health and mental health, whilst also helping the people of Wiltshire to increase their activity levels. National Fitness Day highlights the importance of taking up physical activity, and we want people to view the day as a start of a bigger journey, to see that health and fitness is for life.

I encourage everyone to take up our free health MOT. Being physically active is key to physical and mental health.  It can reduce the risk of major illnesses and lowers the risk of early death by up to 30%.

Recently, during a routine gym induction, one of our customers at Devizes Leisure Centre took up the option of a blood pressure check, which highlighted some abnormalities. After a visit to her GP, she is now having regular check-ups and on a treatment plan for high blood pressure, which she had been unaware of.

With your free seven-day pass, please take the opportunity to see the facilities and have unlimited access to the gym, swimming pool and group exercise classes. Our staff will be happy to discuss your best membership options.

To sign up for a free health check, or try our facilities for free with a 7 day pass, people should contact their local leisure centre Leisure - Wiltshire Council.

To find out more about National Fitness Day, visit the National Fitness Day website (opens new window). Share your fitness inspiration on social media using the hashtag #FitnessDay and tagging @FitnessDayUK