Key Takeaways:
- GoodGym is a nonprofit organization in the UK that combines exercise with community service, encouraging residents to "get fit by doing good."
- The organization has over 26,600 members in 67 locations across England and Wales, with plans to expand to Northern Ireland and Scotland.
- Members participate in various volunteer activities, such as cleaning up parks, visiting older adults, and helping at food banks, while also getting a workout.
- The organization aims to make exercise more meaningful and accessible, with no expensive gym memberships or equipment required.
- Research has shown that combining volunteering with exercise can have additional mental health benefits, including reduced loneliness and increased sense of belonging.
Introduction to GoodGym
GoodGym is a unique nonprofit organization in the United Kingdom that has attracted thousands of members by encouraging residents to "get fit by doing good." The organization combines exercise with community service, providing an innovative approach to fitness and volunteering. Members participate in various activities, such as cleaning up parks, visiting older adults, and helping at food banks, while also getting a workout. With over 26,600 members in 67 locations across England and Wales, GoodGym is rapidly expanding, with plans to start new groups in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The Concept Behind GoodGym
The idea behind GoodGym is simple yet effective. Founder Ivo Gormley started the organization in 2007, when he began running to deliver a newspaper to an older person in his neighborhood. Gormley wanted to make exercise more meaningful and useful, rather than just going to a gym and lifting weights. He started organizing group runs to places where participants could help with community projects, and the idea quickly gained traction. Today, GoodGym is a registered charity, with members participating in a wide range of activities, from clearing sidewalks of discarded Christmas trees to planting fruit trees and setting up cots for homeless people.
Making Exercise More Meaningful
GoodGym’s approach to exercise is centered around making it more meaningful and accessible. Members do not need to pay expensive gym memberships or use specialized equipment. All they need is a desire to walk, run, or bike and a willingness to participate in local volunteer work. This approach has been shown to motivate members to exercise regularly, as they feel they are part of something positive and are making a difference in their community. GoodGym’s founder, Ivo Gormley, wants to make it as easy as possible for people to stay in shape and give back, with monthly donations being voluntary and members not being pressured to show up.
The Benefits of GoodGym
The benefits of GoodGym extend beyond physical exercise. Members have reported feeling a sense of positivity and belonging, as they work together to make a difference in their community. The organization’s approach has also been shown to have mental health benefits, including reduced loneliness and increased sense of belonging. Research by Christian Krekel, an assistant professor at the London School of Economics, has found that combining volunteering with exercise can have additional mental health benefits, including improved mental wellbeing and a greater sense of connectedness.
A Boost of Positivity
For many members, GoodGym has become an essential part of their weekly routine. Anastasia Hancock, a local GoodGym leader in southwest London, organizes a variety of volunteer projects for members in her area. She recalls how her group once helped shift hundreds of bags of heavy compost up narrow steps to reach a rooftop garden, providing an amazing workout. Members have reported feeling a boost of positivity and energy after participating in GoodGym activities, and the organization’s approach has been shown to be particularly effective in engaging young people and encouraging them to participate in physical activity.
A Unique Approach
GoodGym’s approach to fitness and volunteering is unique, yet simple. By combining physical activity with community service, the organization provides an innovative approach to exercise and volunteering. While there may be other organizations that combine these elements, GoodGym’s approach is distinctive in its focus on making exercise more meaningful and accessible. As the organization continues to grow and expand, it is likely to have a significant impact on the way people think about fitness and volunteering, and its approach may help shape public policies on mental health and wellbeing.