GoodGym Adventure to Barnwood Community Garden – A Night of Fun, Fitness, and Forest Paths

Last night, GoodGym Barnet hit the streets for a session unlike any other! The goal? Make a difference at Barnwood Community Garden, a beautiful green space devoted to connecting people through woodland crafts and Forest Schools. This hidden gem offers people of all ages a place to hone craft skills, enjoy nature, and grow as a community. For us, it was a chance to get outside, work up a sweat, and make some real impact!

We kicked things off with our usual meetup at the Phoenix Cinema, where all but one of us gathered. It was inspiring to see new faces and many others opting to walk, showing GoodGym’s inclusivity in action! To mix things up, we played a quick round of “Two Truths and a Lie” in the cinema foyer, sparking hilarious debates that lasted the whole evening. Rachael’s detective skills were truly tested, especially with the help of her trusty head torch!

After a challenging warm-up, with hill sprints, heel kicks, and crossovers to get our blood pumping, we divided into running and walking groups. George led the runners, taking them on a longer, scenic route, while Paul led the walkers. Along the way, Paul’s group stopped for static squats, building quad strength and some friendly competition. At one point, the walkers challenged the runners to try their squats, which kept spirits high and added some laughs as they raced ahead.

When we finally arrived at the garden, Leo greeted us with a quick briefing on the amazing work Barnwood does, including an inspiring project pairing community mentors over 60 with young people. The night’s task? Laying down fresh woodchip on paths to keep them safe and mud-free for Barnwood’s upcoming Halloween event, complete with pumpkin soup cooked over the open fire!

Jack met us at the venue, despite being on the injured list, as he trains for his marathon. We all pitched in, shoveling and spreading woodchip until the garden looked ready for its Halloween debut. The walkers made an early exit and reached Phoenix just in time to meet up with the runners for a warm-down. Almost everyone stayed afterward to relax, share laughs, and continue the debate over who told the best lies!

This week’s squad of GoodGym heroes:

• Francesco Ruvolo: Braving the autumn heat in a T-shirt!
• Tom: Fast becoming a GoodGym regular and proving his runner’s endurance.
• Jack Da Silva: Cheering us on from the sidelines as he heals for his marathon. Good luck, Jack!
• Rachael Melinek: Walking group back-marker and social media wizard, helping GoodGym spread the word.
• Beattie: Star woodchip shoveler and part of the running crew.
• George Ttoouli: Our fearless running leader!
• Paul Salman: Leading the walkers with strength and skill.
• Lucinda: Opted to walk this time but no stranger to running.
• Hamid: Taking every chance to practice his English and join in.
• Kirsten: First-timer, who we hope will join us again—perhaps in the running group next time?
• Anthony: Another newcomer. Looking forward to having him back for more adventures!

Reflecting on the night, it’s these quirky conversations and shared moments that make GoodGym so unique. Imagine telling your coworkers how you ran through East Finchley, laid woodland paths by night, and debated lies over tea in a cinema lobby. Only at GoodGym! Join us next week for more fun, fitness, and community spirit—walking or running, everyone’s welcome!

Last night’s GoodGym group run was a delightful mix of community spirit, fitness, and fun. We set out to meet Linda from the Friends group, who had requested our help to clear the area around the children’s playground and fitness equipment in Coldfall Woods.

The evening was warm and beautiful, perfect for a summer run. We gathered at the Phoenix Cinema, chatting excitedly about our upcoming holidays, before numbering up and setting off on a 4km run through the charming backstreets of East Finchley. Despite the heat, we took breaks to catch our breath and stay together, embodying GoodGym’s philosophy of social, inclusive running.

Upon reaching Coldfall Woods, Linda welcomed us and provided tools and bags. We spent a productive 40 minutes clearing weeds around benches and equipment, and picking up litter. It was rewarding to see the area looking tidier and more inviting for the community.

As the sun began to set, we headed back, the golden light filtering through the trees. We couldn’t resist playing a bit of frisbee on the recreational ground, laughing and enjoying the simple pleasure of throwing and catching as we ran.

We finished back at the Phoenix for a good stretch, savoring the last moments of the glowing sunset. Some of us then went to the pub for a well-deserved drink and a chat. To top off the evening, we watched the final of the freestyle relay event where Great Britain won the gold medal.

In our own way, we felt like we had won a medal too. Thanks to everyone who came out, ran, and helped make a positive impact in our community!

What a turnout! Over 30 GoodGym enthusiasts rallied together for an evening of fitness and goodwill, all in support of the Finchley Food Bank. It was a sight to behold, with both familiar faces and a plethora of new ones joining the cause. Despite the cool breeze, the sun decided to grace us with its presence, making our mission even more delightful. We gathered outside the iconic Phoenix Cinema, eager to embark on our journey but not before a quick snapshot and some words of inspiration about the GoodGym spirit.Who says it's all about running? Not us! Penny and Franky led an equally enthusiastic group of walkers, while Paul and Moya took the reins for the running squad. The runners dashed off first, blazing down the left-hand side of the High Street, while the walkers strolled along the right.In a twist of fate, the walkers and runners reached the Food Bank simultaneously. How's that for timing? Well, it turns out the runners had been making pit stops for some impromptu exercises, from paired squats to synchronized pushes. With Anna, the Food Bank manager, welcoming us with open arms, we wasted no time unloading our bounty of food donations. The Food Bank was in dire need, and we were determined to make a difference. But why stop there? Feeling the adrenaline, the runners voted for an extended route through Coldfall Woods. Picture this: a breathtaking sunset peeking through the trees as we conquered hills and valleys, our spirits soaring higher with each step. Homeward bound, we weaved through the backstreets, pausing only to push our limits with three sets of sprints and well-deserved recoveries. As the night drew to a close, we reconvened at the Phoenix for some much-needed stretches, basking in the warmth of camaraderie and accomplishment. Until next time, Finchley Food Bank - you can count on us! Keep on running, walking, and spreading the GoodGym love!

Great to meet Tan & Tom on their first group run with Barnet.

Throughout January, GoodGym members took on a special community mission: cleaning up their own neighborhoods. With litter picking they showed that small actions make a big difference.

One member, on holiday in Dorset, encountered a local scuba diver emerging from the sea. The diver happily posed with a litter picker.

This encounter inspired a couple of puns : "Dive into Cleanliness: A Splash of Environmental Action" or "Making Waves: GoodGym's Dive into Litter Pick-Up."

Thanks to all those that took part we will look to go next month.