Checkfit is the brainchild of Stephen Edgerton and Michael Holden and contains details on more than 2,000 gyms, sports clubs, fitness classes and personal trainers across Merseyside. Jennie Lewis reports

 

Fast-growing tech start-up and online fitness and wellness directory, Checkfit, is speeding the wellbeing message across Merseyside by forging key partnerships.

Checkfit is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Stephen Edgerton and Michael Holden and contains details and reviews on more than 2,000 gyms, sports clubs, fitness classes and personal trainers across Merseyside.

It utilises blogs, images, reviews, facilities, amenities and brief, detailed descriptions and has been likened to a “Trip Advisor for gyms”.

Checkfit is teaming up with Knowsley Council, more specifically its not-for-profit fitness services provider Volair to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in the borough.

Concerned with rising levels of obesity and lack of activity, the leisure provider is keen to utilise Checkfit’s services in order to help people in the borough start making healthier choices.

A growing epidemic

Obesity is associated with a range of health problems estimated to cost the NHS around £6.3 billion per year, with wider costs to society estimated to be £27 billion per year.

A report published in September 2017 following an adult health and lifestyle survey jointly undertaken by Knowsley Council, the Clinical Commissioning Group and Knowsley Health and Wellbeing Board found that the proportion of Knowsley residents categorised as being obese was 22% in 2012/13, marginally higher than across the whole of Merseyside (21%).

More than a third of Knowsley adults (37%) were classed as obese or overweight and only 4 in 10 (39%) of Knowsley adults are deemed to have a healthy weight, slightly lower than across Merseyside (41%).

Knowsley females are marginally more likely to be obese than males, 23% compared to 21% respectively.

Healthy lives, healthy people

Knowsley Council and its leisure centre operator Volair will be directly involved in rolling out the national initiative, Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Call to Action on Obesity.

The aim of the strategy is to sustain the downward trend in the level of excess weight in children by 2020, and drive down the trend in the level of excess weight averaged across all adults by 2020.

In support of this and in a deal agreed between Volair and Checkfit, schools in the borough will direct pupils and parents to the website when the need for an exercise programme is appropriate.

 

Similarly, GPs whose patients need to increase their levels of physical activity, will also be recommended to check out Checkfit.

And the company will also use the website to promote greater use of sports facilities, provided by Volair, as well as promoting green spaces across the borough.

Returning to our roots

One of the founding partners of Checkfit, Stephen Edgerton, who is from Kirkby said: “This is a great partnership for us. We are all from the area and passionate about promoting the benefits of exercise and generally being more active to people across Merseyside.

“After meeting with Volair we could see how much they bought into our ethos and realised that Checkfit would be a great fit for them and the borough’s residents.

“We are adding more and more clubs, classes and trainers all the time to the site and you will not find a more comprehensive guide anywhere else.”

In the spirit of promoting more active lifestyles, Knowsley Council are also hosting a free family activity day this Thursday, 5 April at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park from 9.30am until 1pm.

The Family Active Fest programme has been developed to coincide with the school holidays and will include a range of fun activities to get families from the borough active.

From Disney-inspired work outs for the littlest participants, to BMX track taster sessions, Nordic walking sessions and smoothie masterclasses, there’s something for everyone!

You can reserve places for your family by visiting www.knowsleyactivefest.eventbrite.com

For more information or to find a club, class or gym in your area, visit www.checkfit.co.uk