GoodGym York is extending a welcome to anyone of any level of fitness wanting to get rid of the extra turkey pounds and Christmas pudding bulges.

Unlike other  groups for whom fitness is the be-all and end-all, fitness is only part of GoodGym York’s activities.

All year round, once a week, members of the club go for a short group run, walk or cycle that takes them to an organisation that needs work doing, such as painting, conservation work, hanging curtains other help.

After doing the work for 45 minutes or so, they then run, walk or cycle back to their starting point.

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“It’s a wonderful atmosphere, with really lovely people, nice, kind and inclusive,” said joint co-ordinator Ed Woollard.

“We all want to get involved in the community.  We encourage walking groups as well as running. We have walk leaders and back markers for the runners to make sure no-one gets left behind. We also encourage cycling.”

As well as new volunteers, the club wants to hear from any local charity and other non-for-profit organisations with indoor jobs that will enable it to keep up its good work despite the winter weather.

“We love indoor activities in the winter,” said Ed. “The rest of the year we do the normal set of tasks.”

The journey out to the activity is never very long because the group needs to have plenty of energy to carry their tasks when they arrive – and get back safely.

The organised weekly excursion includes people of all levels of fitness with back markers to make sure no-one gets lost or left behind.

Volunteers also get together on a less formal basis including going on park runs on Saturday morning and going to community tasks together in smaller groups.

But the heart of the club is the weekly get together. 

Currently about 20 people turn out regularly for the weekly group run but in total the club has more than 300 volunteers.

Their work can range from giving play equipment a covering of paint, planting bulbs for Spring colour and clearing up outdoor spaces.

It works closely with the city’s environmental team as well as the city’s parks, St Nick’s centre for nature and green living and neighbourhood groups.  Any organisation that is not for profit, such as charities, community interest companies, and local groups can ask GoodGym York to arrive and help them out.

If you want to join the club or have work for them to do, they can be contacted on their website via https://www.goodgym.org/v3/areas/york