BTCV are running a scheme for people called a ‘green gym‘.
They give people the chance to ‘work out’ in nature with conservation or gardening work.
So an opportunity for those who haven’t got a garden or don’t feel up to tending a whole plot on their own. Also seems an alternative to attending projects that are solely aimed at ‘mental health’ people. Although of course specialist projects are needed and are a life saver for many, sometimes it is refreshing for someone to be part of a group where membership is based on something other than ‘craziness’ – just people who wanna get fit and love a bit of nature…
Social workers and other professionals involved in drawing up Community Care Plans/support plans should be encouraged to think outside the box. I, personally have trained mine to realise that ‘care in the community’ does not mean re-creating institutions in the community.
Anyways..
Green gyms are held once a week, you will receive teaching and support from a trained leader and groups are open to all. It don’t cost a penny neither!
A Green Gym group is taken through warm-up and cool-down exercises. Helping to avoid aches and strains and minimising the chances of developing gardener’s hunch back..
Green Gyms have also been proven to work – increasing physical, mental and social well-being. Research has been carried out at Oxford Brookes University and details about the positive outcomes for green gymers can be found here. There is also a graph proving that gardening is much better than rubbish aerobics!! Or as they put it – working out in a green gym burns a third more calories than a step aerobics session.
There is a list of available groups to attend on the BTCV website…
What a great idea!
