From this September, East Riding residents will be able to borrow gym equipment from the East Riding Mobile Library service through the new ‘Gym in a Box’ scheme.
Funded by Libraries Connected, the new scheme will provide people with gym equipment suitable to use from the comfort of their own home. The aim is to encourage people to try exercising who don’t otherwise engage in exercise, or who want to but don’t have easy access to local resources.
The equipment can be used for both cardio and weight training workouts with the box also containing guidance and suggested exercises for each piece of equipment, making it suitable for users of all fitness levels.
Each box includes:
- Mini exercise bike which can be used as a traditional bike while sat down and an arm bike for a low impact cardiovascular workout
- Resistance bands, small dumbbells and gym ball to be used for weight training
- Yoga mat, Pilates ball and Pilates bricks to be used for stretching and flexibility training
The project ties in with National Fitness Day, which takes place on Wednesday, 16 September, and aims to address health inequalities in rural communities by providing exercise equipment and guidance free of charge.
National Fitness Day is an annual campaign run by ukactive that highlights the role physical activity plays across the UK, helping to raise awareness of its importance in assisting us to lead healthier lifestyles.
Through taking part in this project, participants can become more physically active, see improvements in their mobility as well as their mental health and have more confidence to take part in other activities.
To encourage residents to continue their fitness journey, East Riding Leisure have provided free one-week gym passes to all borrowers once the Gym in a Box kit is returned to their local mobile library. These passes can be used at any East Riding Leisure centre.
The boxes are available to all East Riding Library members and will be available for an eight-week loan period, giving the customer time to adjust and build on their new fitness routine.
Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: ‘’We are pleased to bring the ‘Gym in a Box’ scheme to residents in the East Riding. The project allows residents to borrow gym equipment and explore exercise no matter what their fitness level may be, from a Mobile Library in their area.
‘’This inclusive scheme broadens the offer of our popular Mobile Library Service whilst helping people to improve their fitness, gain confidence and move towards a healthier lifestyle.’’
The equipment will be available on all East Riding Mobile Libraries.
To find out more and reserve equipment, see: Exercise at home with Gym in a Box! - Exercise at home with Gym in a Box! - East Riding Libraries
The East Riding Mobile Library Service visits more than 160 stops every single month, bringing books, and more into local communities, visit: Mobiles and At Home Service for more information.
