We returned to the Fitzherbert Community Hub to help our friends from the Real Junk Food Project with some essential cleaning and tidy up work of this popular venue for local communities.

It was a special evening for GoodGym Brighton as we were invited by ITV Meridiam to shine our best smile and speech in front of a camera – we were all stars yesterday evening!

What do you gain from your GoodGym volunteering session?, … and what does motivate you to stay fit more than doing traditional exercise?

Stefania:

"As an Area Activator of GoodGym Brighton Community, I am enthused by the charity mission of creating happier, healthier and better connected communities by getting Brighton & Hove moving. Personally, I have been active in sports for as long as I can remember. Sports have been always a source of inspiration in my life, taken me through the good and the challenging times, allowed me to meet people, develop friendships and transferable skills.

I am a strong believer of the significant role that both physical activities and volunteering can play in everybody’s confidence development, and I feel empowered to share my values and develop empathy, not only for local community causes but the wider sport for development agenda. In my role, I most enjoy empowering my passions in other enthusiastic GoodGym-ers for a circular good while keep being active sustainably.

Brighton GoodGym-ers keep surprising all our beneficiaries (and me) with our unconditional good heart, always prepared to do everything – and get our hands dirty! Keep moving together fuels our goodwill and fulfils us with incredible satisfaction. Burning calories (or stress 😉) while moving, just help – that’s for sure!"

Research has shown that participating in GoodGym has a positive effect on both GoodGymers and organisations that we support each week with our GoodGym group runs and community missions. GoodGym increases wellbeing and reduces mental distress, and older people who GoodGym supports are less lonely and happier.

Yesterday, we run a relatively short distance from our meeting point in Brighton, in Victoria Gardens, led by our star Rosie, who is not only a keen ambassador of GoodGym but also a GoodGym Fitness Run leader, like Pippa and Michael who are all contributing to make GoodGym thrive in Brighton Area with the help of a wonderful Task Force.

Thanks Real Junk Food Project for hosting us! We most enjoy coming to yours. Good luck with the BRAVO Awards! It’s already a success to be nominated for five awards, including sustainability - prioritising the planet and people as much as profit. Bravo! Voting in ON from 4th February!

WHAT's ON NEXT at GoodGym Brighton?
Plenty to amuse you to join us soon.

EVERYBODY is welcome!

Last night 13 GoodGymmers made their way to the Brighton Community Workshop and Tool Library, to help them with some cleaning and sorting as they prepare for some renovations and improvements.

We also welcomed Sarah and Annie at their first GoodGym session in Brighton!

Some of us were on shelf duty – offloading and clearing the units before putting everything back neat and tidy, while the rest of us were on wood-sorting duty – reorganising hundreds of pieces of board, timber and off-cuts to make them more accessible for those using the workshop.

Many hands make light work, and within just half an hour we’d made a huge difference to the space and our hosts were so grateful. When our work was done, a few of us headed over the road for our monthly social, and our return to the infamous Pub Quiz at The Kemp. After an epic music round and a lucky guess about the number of whiskers on a cat (it's 24...) we came 5th and won a whole TEN POUNDS to put into the social kitty 😊

In honor of our winnings, we asked ChatGPT to write us a poem…enjoy!

A group of runners, swift and bright, Laced up their shoes and took to flight. But on this day, they faced a test, Not of speed, but of wit’s best.

With knowledge wide, and minds astute, They gathered round, ready to loot The answers that would win the prize, With focus sharp and gleaming eyes.

Questions flew, a tricky race, But these keen minds kept up the pace. From history’s depths to science’s core, They answered all and then asked for more.

At last, the scores were tallied high, A cheer rang out, a joyful cry. They’d conquered both the mind and mile, Their victory earned with clever style.

So here’s to the runners, fast and wise, Who crossed the line with quiz-winner’s prize. They proved that brains and speed unite, For every challenge, they take flight.

Here is WHAT's ON NEXT at GoodGym Brighton!

Plenty to amuse you to join us soon for the GoodGym January Challenge!

On a cold, wintery Sunday morning, 8 brave souls gathered outside Falmer station. There were hats, gloves, cups of coffee and even some leg warmers - we were ready for our 10km run around the perimeter of Stanmer Park.

When asked which direction we wanted to go in, one response was "whichever way starts with the uphill". But in Stanmer Park, every option starts with an uphill...so climb we did!

Thankfully, the steady uphill track took us through some beautiful woodland and we were rewarded with panoramic views of Brighton when we finally reached the top. And we all know that what goes up must come down, and the second half of our trail run was a pleasant downhill jaunt through more woodland before opening out into the rolling hills of the lower park. But, that wasn't the end - we still had 1km to go before we reached our end destination - the local pub in Falmer Village and a warm plate of food!

The GoodGym crew gathered for a run and fitness session on Tuesday. After a quick briefing, we ran to the pier to warm up with a game of Captain’s Coming. It was a ship-shape start to the evening, with everyone running from port to starboard, and climbing the rigging. Once we’d got our sea legs sorted, it was time to set sail and run to the Brighton i360. The weather was chilly, but spirits were high as we took in the fresh air and the stunning seaside views.

At the i360, the fitness fun began. Everyone worked hard on step ups, press ups, squats, sprints and burpees (a real jump in difficulty). Everyone powered through with that classic GoodGym determination. By the end, we were all planked out and ready for the cool-down. Thank you to Pippa for leading this fitness session, and a warm welcome to Phil who arrived for his first session already wearing a GG t-shirt!

We’ll be hammering out another session at Brighton Community Workshop next week!