Hull residents are being encouraged to take to the pool to keep fit as part of the City’s Exercise Referral Scheme.
Following a successful series of weekly Aquafit sessions at East Hull Pools, which have been in place since January this year, a further two classes have been added to the scheme and start this month.
Additional sessions will run at Ennerdale Leisure Centre every Monday from 3.30-4.30pm and at Albert Avenue Pools on a Thursday from 2.15-3.15pm. Classes at East Hull Pools will continue to take place every Friday from 10-11am.
The classes have been organised as part of the Amateur Swimming Association’s (ASA’s) Swim for Health initiative, a pilot project that aims to improve the health of residents across Hull and East Riding by increasing opportunities to take part in a variety of aquatic activities.
As part of the Exercise Referral Scheme, the ASA has teamed up with Hull Public Health Directorate and Hull Leisure who are providing the facilities as well as the instructors and lifeguards to ensure the sessions can go ahead.
Hull residents are referred to the sessions by their GP or practice nurse and classes are aimed at people with a range of health needs or those that need to increase physical activity. Attendees pay a contribution of £1.30 per session and classes will run until mid-December.
Aquafit is a fitness class in the pool which provides effective exercise without pain or strain whilst using a variety of muscle groups and helping to tone and shape the body and increase fitness. Exercising in water avoids any high impact damage on the body and the buoyancy provided offers an environment that aids exercise movements.
Hull Swim for Health Development Officer Phil Marshall is delighted a further two classes have been introduced in the area.
“Aquafit is a great activity for people of all ages and levels of fitness,” he explained. “The sessions at East Hull Pools have been a great success and are regularly filled by people on the referral scheme.
“The fact that we have added two extra classes shows the popularity of the Aquafit classes and is testament to the benefits received by those who already take part. It now means aquatic activity represents half of the classes on offer through the exercise referral scheme which underlines the impact it can have on the health and well-being of the people of Hull.”
For further details of Aquafit classes contact Phil Marshall on 01482 318 038 or Heidi Waters in 01482 617 879.
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Swim for Health is a three-year programme across Hull and East Riding funded by the Amateur Swimming Association and the Department of Health which aims to increase physical activity in three key groups: local employees, residents over 50 and pre-school children and their families. It is also hoped that the project will raise awareness of the benefits of exercising in water to people outside of these target groups.
For more information contact ASA media officer Amanda Smith on 01509 632238, 07876 652 318 or email amanda.smith@swimming.org
The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,600 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.
www.britishswimming.org
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