GoodLife Fitness and ParticipACTION team up to get Canadians moving

GoodLife to host ParticipACTION Open House Day on June 6th to celebrate National Health & Fitness Day

LONDON and TORONTO, ON, May 28, 2015 /CNW/ - Two national leaders in physical activity have joined forces to get Canadians moving and active just in time for National Health & Fitness Day on June 6^th. In a unique public/private collaboration, ParticipACTION and GoodLife Fitness, Canada's largest fitness company, aim to get Canadians started on the path to active, healthy lives using evidence-based recommendations on how to get started and keep moving.

In the first phase of the collaboration, Canadians are invited to the ParticipACTION Open House Day on June 6^th at GoodLife Fitness clubs across the country, including at GoodLife's banner in Quebec, Énergie Cardio. It will be the first of several opportunities for Canadians to try the gym for free as part of the collaboration and offers an incredible opportunity in a caring and supportive environment for those who are ready to make a lifestyle change.

"This is a joint effort between the non-profit and business sector to promote fitness among inactive Canadians," says David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans, Founder & CEO of GoodLife Fitness. "ParticipACTION has made a strong case for why Canadians should get moving and active and we will show Canadians how to take that first step. We are proud to work with ParticipACTION toward a common goal of giving Canadians the opportunity to live healthier lives."

"Canadians aren't moving their bodies enough to reap all the good things that come from being active, such as reduced risk of chronic disease, better fitness, more fun, healthy body weight, self-confidence, new skills and better mental health," says Elio Antunes, President & CEO of ParticipACTION, a national non-profit organization that helps Canadians sit less and move more.  "The great news is that even small increases in physical activity can produce measurable health benefits—and GoodLife and ParticipACTION are here to help you get started."

The collaboration also creates opportunities for Canadians to learn about physical activity and to put learning into practice. It will give Canadians access to fitness and lifestyle tips, provide research about the value of physical activity to overall health, reinforce what the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines are, and give advice for beginners. Those wanting to get started can access videos on Instagram and YouTube, tips posted on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #FitCanadian, infographics, and advice-filled blog articles available on each organization's website: goodlifefitness.com and participaction.com.

 "This is a great opportunity for all Canadians who have been thinking about getting healthier and more active to take the first step towards moving more," says Hayley Wickenheiser, five-time Olympian and Member of ParticipACTION's Board of Directors.  "Congratulations to GoodLife and ParticipACTION for their leadership." 

The entire network of 350 GoodLife Fitness and Énergie Cardio clubs across Canada will welcome Canadians on June 6^th for ParticipACTION Open House Day. Visit goodlifefitness.com or energiecardio.com to find a location near you.

About GoodLife Fitness
Proudly Canadian since 1979, GoodLife Fitness is the largest fitness company in Canada and the fourth largest in the world. With over 350 clubs from coast-to-coast, including 70 Énergie Cardio and ÉconoFitness Clubs in Quebec, approximately 13,000 employees and more than 1 million Members, GoodLife is helping to transform the health and wellness of one in 34 Canadians every day. www.goodlifefitness.com

About ParticipACTION
ParticipACTION is a national non-profit organization that helps Canadians sit less and move more.  Originally established in 1971, ParticipACTION works with its partners, which include sport, physical activity, recreation organizations, government and corporate sponsors, to make physical activity a vital part of everyday life.  ParticipACTION is generously supported by the Government of Canada.  For more information, please visit www.participaction.com.

SOURCE GoodLife Fitness

Video with caption: "Video: GoodLife Fitness and ParticipACTION team up to get Canadians moving. Coach Kim Lavender, Team Training Director at GoodLife Fitness, and Allana LeBlanc, Exercise Physiologist at ParticipACTION, are working in collaboration to get Canadians started with physical activity.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20150528_C8555_VIDEO_EN_17165.mp4&posterurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20150528_C8555_VIDEO_EN_17165.jpg&order=1&jdd=20150528&cnum=C8555

For further information: Media Contacts: Natalie Little-Rowe, Public Relations Manager, GoodLife Fitness, 1-800-790-9269, [e-mail]; Katherine Janson, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, ParticipACTION, 416-913-1471, [e-mail]; Renaud Beaudry, Director of Marketing and Communications, Énergie Cardio, 450-979-3623 ext. 2305, [e-mail]

Related Links

www.goodlifefitness.com