(BPT) – As 2021 approaches, the importance and urgency of physical and mental health are at an all-time-high due to COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Regular physical activity helps you feel better, sleep better and reduces anxiety. It can also help with preventing weight gain and when combined with calorie reduction, helps with weight loss. It can also help boost immune function and help prevent diseases that also increase a person’s chances of having severe illness from COVID-19 such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.” The CDC also advises exercising regularly for improved mental health.
Anytime Fitness is making the journey to better physical and mental health more safe, accessible and social. To support the communities it serves, the franchise is announcing new virtual programming and resources that will inspire and enable new and current members to make healthy happen in 2021.
This month, the HeartFirst Charitable Foundation has awarded an initial $300,000 grant to the Movemeant Foundation, a nonprofit organization that designs fitness and movement programs to enable women and girls to embody confidence and develop healthy habits. By leveraging fitness and physical movement as platforms for social change, the foundation has served as a catalyst to create a new generation of healthy, strong and self-assured young women. It will share $25,000 in grant funds to Fast and Female, a Canada-based charity with a mission to keep girls healthy and active in sports.
In addition to the initial $300,000 grant, the HeartFirst Charitable Foundation will grant $1 for each 30-minute workout logged in the “Move With AF Event” on the Kilter mobile app during December (up to $50,000). In January, when new members sign up to join Anytime Fitness for $1 at participating locations, Anytime Fitness also will donate $1 (up to $90,000) to the Movemeant Foundation in addition to an initial $50,000 grant.
“At Anytime Fitness, we know that fitness is essential to living a healthy life — physically, emotionally and mentally,” said Stacy Anderson, brand president. “We’re proud to support Movemeant Foundation, an organization that believes, as we do, that fitness and physical movement is essential to unlocking the values of self-confidence, resiliency, commitment, balance and community.”
Anytime Fitness is partnering with Movemeant Foundation founder, fitness expert and confidence-life coach Jenny Gaither for the “Stronger for Good” virtual fitness event. The event offers an opportunity to move, learn and feel better together while strengthening physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event begins at 11 a.m. ET, Saturday, Jan. 2. Participation in the event is free, and open to all.
The event is part of the fitness franchise’s larger commitment to empower members to stay active and connected while remaining safe during the pandemic. The Anytime Fitness mobile app gives members access to thousands of online training programs. The app also offers several ways to virtually connect with a local coach who can help develop individualized workout plans to help start the new year off strong. Additionally, daily free workouts led by franchise coaches are available on Facebook at 9:30 a.m. ET
“Our coaching service and individualized fitness planning are what set us apart,” said Anderson. “We will continue to do everything we can for our members to deliver our service safely and at their convenience.”
For more information, visit www.anytimefitness.com.