Fitness World Canada Brings Accessible Exercise Classes to Youth In Need

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Fitness World Canada partners with Covenant House Vancouver as part of the Active Community Initiative, providing accessible fitness opportunities to underserved communities.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fitness World Canada and covenant house vancouver We’ve partnered to host free, inclusive exercise classes for youth in need. This four-week program is a continuation of Fitness World’s Active Community initiative, which aims to create fitness opportunities for communities that face barriers to daily exercise and healthy movement.

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According to Covenant House Vancouver, up to 40,000 young people experience homelessness in Canada each year. This has left many young people facing barriers to accessing recreational and fitness facilities that are vital resources for long-term physical and mental health. This obstacle has inspired Fitness World to invite young residents of Covenant House Vancouver to join their personal trainers in a guided exercise class every Saturday throughout the month of July.

A Covenant Youth House Vancouver Those who participated in this series of lessons shared their thoughts, saying: “Not only did these classes teach me how to exercise properly, they also made me feel confident enough to continue exercising and find an active daily routine.”

Classes featured a series of core movements and exercises using simple equipment, and were strategically formatted to encourage continued interest in incorporating a regular exercise routine. Since the gym can be an intimidating environment for new participants, especially for youth who have previously faced homelessness or human trafficking, this class format fostered a safe and welcoming environment to support a variety of fitness levels. To promote an inclusive learning space, the program was delivered with small class sizes and a dedicated class for female-identifying and gender diverse youth. This allowed all youth the opportunity to improve their mental and physical health in a safe and supportive environment.

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“I feel honored that my job not only allows me to do what I love, but also to share that interest with curious young people who aren’t in a position to easily get into fitness.” He said Saba Niakhalili, Personal Trainer at Fitness World Canada Who taught youth classes at Covenant House Vancouver. “The youth have benefited from this program in improving their health and it has created a roadmap for them to work toward their long-term wellness goals.”

Poverty rates remain a concern across British Columbia and Canada, with them being particularly high in Vancouver. A report by First Call Association for Children and Youth In 2021, 62,380 children in the Vancouver metropolitan area were found to be living in poverty, representing 13.8 per cent of Vancouver’s youth. While housing is the most important component in supporting the future of at-risk youth, regular exercise can have a significant impact on building confidence, resilience, and alleviating depression and anxiety.

“We at Covenant House Vancouver are deeply grateful to Fitness World for their generous support in hosting four free youth fitness classes in our programs.” He said Marc Savard, Philanthropy Officer at Covenant House Vancouver. “Fitness is a cornerstone of mental health and overall well-being, and your commitment helps empower our youth to build resilience, confidence and a healthier lifestyle. Thank you for making a positive impact and supporting our mission to provide a brighter future for those we serve.”

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The collaboration between Fitness World and Covenant House Vancouver stems from their shared mission to improve and support underserved communities across the Lower Mainland. This partnership follows Fitness World’s collaboration with Retirement Concepts, the first Active Community Initiative program to offer weekly exercise classes to seniors in South Surrey. Fitness World is committed to continuing to partner with community organizations to create greater access to fitness for all.

About Fitness World Canada:
Fitness World is a value-for-money, low-cost gym with 16 locations throughout the Lower Mainland. Committed to helping people achieve their fitness goals, Fitness World offers comprehensive spaces, state-of-the-art equipment, personalized programs and many amenities starting at just $9.99 per 2 weeks. Visit fitnessworld.ca for more information.

About Covenant House Vancouver:
Covenant House Vancouver provides love and hope to youth who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness or human trafficking. They help approximately 124 youth each day, ages 16-24, who have fled physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; those who have been forced from their homes; and those who have aged out of foster care. All services, including meals, clean clothing, medical/mental health care, substance abuse, employment assistance, and more, are provided free of charge to protect youth.

Media Contact:
Yolo Public Relations
fw@yulupr.com
+1.604.558.1656

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