Get involved

How to host an event

“Whether you are a gym, school, workplace, running club or any organisation that wants to encourage people being active, hosting an event doesn't need to be a major undertaking. It could be something you already do—simply framed around National Fitness Day (Wednesday 16 September). The aim is to encourage more people to be active on National Fitness Day by following a few simple steps:

Decide what you will do for National Fitness Day

This will vary depending on your organisation type. For example, a gym may offer free guest passes for the day, while a children’s activity provider might host a sports afternoon.

Take inspiration from the ideas below or create something that works for your setting. The key is encouraging more people to get moving and take part.

Decide how long your event will run for

Use your usual channels—email, SMS, WhatsApp or app notifications—to share your plans with your staff and members first.

Spread the word! Early communication helps drive sign-ups and encourages people to share the event with friends and family, helping you reach a wider audience organically.

Consider prizes and incentives

Depending on your organisation, you may wish to offer incentives to encourage participation. This could range from small rewards such as vouchers to larger prizes like discounted or free memberships.

The approach is entirely flexible and should suit your audience.

Ideas for your National Fitness Day event

Individuals

Whether you’re a regular gym-goer or have never been active before, there’s something for everyone on National Fitness Day. It’s all about getting moving!

Go for a walk on your lunch break, take a friend to a class or visit your local gym/leisure centre to try something new.

Whatever you decide to do, we’d love to hear about it by tagging @FitnessDay and sharing what how you got active.

Gyms & facilities

Taking part is easy, and we’ll help you along the way!

Engage your audience and create a local media buzz by following these simple steps to get involved:

Decide what you will do for National Fitness Day.
Be sure to update your website with what you’ll be doing on the day, so people know what’s on offer and how to sign-up and join in!
Download and use the FREE National Fitness Day toolkit with social media assets, banners and everything you need to support you in promoting your event and involvement.
Put on an awesome activation and tell us about it using #FitnessDay

Here are some ideas for how to get involved:

Offer free/discounted day passes.
Offer ‘bring a friend’ sessions.
Provide free/discounted access to taster sessions for anyone to join.
Host competitions with your members.
Set up a challenge for staff and members to get involved.

Schools & children's activity providers

Take part in the UK’s biggest celebration of health and fitness and teach children and young people the importance of physical activity through planning something for this year’s National Fitness Day.

Engage children and young people in different types of physical activity, sports and movement. Last year we inspired more than 4 million children and young people across the UK to be active on the day – let’s try and beat it!

How to get involved

Download the FREE toolkit on our website, designed specifically to provide you with ideas, assets and inspiration for getting children and young people involved.
Host an event in your school or childcare facility and share it with us using #FitnessDay

Think about hosting events such as:

10@10 – 10 minutes of running, jumping, dancing or whatever exercise you can get children involved in at 10am.
Complete an Active Mile – Children (and teachers!) can run, walk or skip their way around a mile.
Create specific National Fitness Day theme for PE sessions to create something new for children to get involved in.

Workplaces

This year we are delighted to partner with Total Active Hub to provide a workplace specific activation to encourage workplaces to get their employees more active and support healthier workplaces this National Fitness Day.

It is easy to get involved, simple sign-up to Total Active Hub’s 20/20 and get your workplace (or encourage your employer) to take part!

The challenge is simple, 20 minutes of activity (any activity) for 20 days to encourage the biggest movement in workplace activity. Sign up today!

Physical activity suppliers

Join in with National Fitness Day and promote your brand and products by being a part of the UK biggest celebration of health and fitness.

Taking part is easy, and we’ll help you along the way!

Engage your audience and create a local media buzz by following these simple steps to get involved:

Decide what you will do for National Fitness Day.
Download and use the FREE National Fitness Day toolkit with assets to support you in promoting your involvement.
Shout about what you’re doing by using #FitnessDay and join the industry in encouraging people to get active.

Here are some ideas on how to get involved:

Engage your staff and client base through your marketing channels.
Help your customers realise the ROI from investment in your solutions through the lens of National Fitness Day.
Create a challenge for customers and/or staff to get them involved.
Create a give-away for consumers to enter and win/get discount for your product(s).

Promote your event via your digital platforms

Update your website

Make sure your website clearly explains your National Fitness Day activity, including what you are doing and how people can get involved or sign up. This is especially important for users discovering you through the National Fitness Day location finder.

Communicate with your members

You can run your activity for the full day, or focus on a specific time such as the morning, afternoon, or evening. This will depend on your organisation and audience.

Choose what works best for your members, employees, or participants.

Share on social media

Promote your activity regularly across your social channels in the lead-up to National Fitness Day to build excitement and maximise reach.

Be sure to share your plans, activities, and success stories, and use #FitnessDay in your posts. We love seeing how organisations and communities get involved and will share as many posts as possible throughout the campaign.

In person

National Fitness Day Posters

Included in this toolkit is a selection of customisable National Fitness Day posters that can be edited with your logo and event details. Display them around your facility, workplace, school, or community space to help raise awareness and encourage participation.

Brief Your Staff

Whether you’re a gym, school, workplace or activity provider, ensure your staff are fully briefed on your National Fitness Day plans. Those who regularly interact with members, parents, employees, or participants can play an important role in spreading the word and encouraging involvement.

It’s also an opportunity to share the purpose of National Fitness Day and inspire more people to become active.

National Fitness Day Merchandise

National Fitness Day merchandise, available through our partner P81, can help build visibility and excitement around your event. Consider displaying merchandise around your venue or encouraging staff to wear National Fitness Day t-shirts in the lead-up to the day.

Community engagement

Invite your local MP

Show your local MP the fantastic activity taking place in your community. A template letter is included within the toolkit to help you invite them to attend and support your National Fitness Day event.

Invite the local press

Let local media know about your plans and invite them along to cover your event. Sharing details of your activity in advance can help raise awareness and showcase the positive impact you’re having within your community.

We’ve also created a draft press release to help support you reach out to local media in the National Fitness Day toolkit.

This year’s tagline celebrates the people behind National Fitness Day: Powered by you. You can tailor this to reflect your activity or audience, for example:

Make it your own and keep it relevant to your audience.

FREE Assets and support

Access a range of digital assets and promotional tools to help you promote your event with ease. From social media graphics to posters, everything is designed to help you build awareness and encourage participation on National Fitness Day.