Argos confirmed as lead partner for National Fitness Day 2016

Argos the new headline partner of National Fitness Day: the biggest annual celebration of fitness and physical activity across the UK.

The event takes place on Wednesday 7 September 7, coinciding with the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games).

The initiative is run by ukactive: a not-for-profit health body with the aim of championing the fun and enjoyment that physical activity can bring to all the family. In 2015, 12,000 people took part in over 2,000 events organised across the country.

The new partnership with Argos provides a platform to reach new audiences, with ranges of products that include healthy grills and juicers, sports, fitness, outdoor toys, and will involve the retailer’s 30,000 colleagues across 800-plus stores

Argos marketing director Stephen Vowles said: “Argos is committed to helping customers achieve their well-being goals, and we are encouraged by their increasing desire to be more active, eat and feel healthier, as the demand for products like Fitbit [a wristband that tracks the wearer’s heart rate], has taken off.

“Through our sponsorship of National Fitness Day we want to encourage people to realise the benefits of doing a little bit more every day – walking in the park, cycling, taking an exercise class – and we will be encouraging our staff to do the same.”

National Fitness Day will promote and allow people to engage in physical activity on the day through free gym passes, exercise classes, outdoor events, taster sessions and a host of physical activities from health and fitness operators around the country.

Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch added: “With lots of taster sessions and free events, National Fitness Day is a fantastic opportunity to encourage greater participation in physical activity, in line with our sports strategy.

“It’s great that ukactive is partnering with the private sector and that Argos will be helping to spread the message across the country to both consumers and their own workforce.

“Sport and physical activity can have a really positive impact on people’s lives, improving both physical and mental health. I hope as many people as possible get involved on the day.”

Further details about National Fitness Day and information on how to sign-up to deliver events can be found here:www.nationalfitnessday.com