FACESUK
Beginners' Fit Step for women
Beginners’ Fit Step is a project based in Harwich that focuses on helping women find a physical activity that they enjoy and want to pursue. Many women have a barrier and fear of attending a new activity, as they feel their fitness levels won't match that of the wider class. Therefore FACES UK, wanted to overcome this barrier, and ensure a welcome environment for all.
Established by Family Activities Community Engagement Support CIC (FACES), their aim was to help inactive women who were nervous about taking their first steps to an active lifestyle. The group hoped to help participants gain confidence, make new friends and provide education on healthy nutritious food to improve their overall health and wellness.
Providing a space for parents to bring their children was important, as they found that this was often a barrier to parents attending classes. The 8-week programme consisted of 8 different types of activities at a beginner’s level. By connecting with local clubs, they hosted a dance fit teacher to lead a session, a kickboxing/self-defence class, and other instructors who provide opportunities for classes in the local area.
Funded through the Find Your Active small grant programme, by London Marathon Foundation, as a result of the Ford RideLondon-Essex event, the outcomes of the project were really positive. The confidence in all participants have improved, and they now feel more educated in the different physical activities that are available to them locally, as well as healthy meals they can make at home.
A group of women who took part in the programme, are continuing to enjoy working out together, as well as meeting up to go on walks. Participants were added to a Whatsapp group, so this has helped to encourage social interaction between classes, and once the 8-week programme finished.
