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GoodGym is not your ordinary gym. Put on your running shoes and get active while supporting your community. Weekly outdoor walking, running or cycling sessions include activities such as weeding and watering community gardens and litter picking across Luton.
GoodGym is not your ordinary gym. Put on your running shoes and get active while supporting your community. Weekly outdoor walking, running or cycling sessions include activities such as weeding and watering community gardens and litter picking across Luton.
Summary
Summary
GoodGym is a charity and running club that combines getting fit with volunteering. Instead of traditional workouts, participants run, walk, or cycle to complete practical tasks for local community projects or to visit isolated older people. GoodGym helps you get active while making a difference in your community. No matter your fitness level, everyone is welcome.
Flexible volunteering sessions on weekday evenings and weekends make it easy to take part regularly, or just when you can. The Luton GoodGymers meet regularly on a Wednesday evening, although other times/dates are available.
It is free to take part, but you can make a regular donation if you wish.
GoodGym on ITV News
Picking litter in the dried up River Lea
GoodGym helping keep Luton's nature spaces clean for everyone
Watering the orchard at Wigmore Valley Park
Getting here
Getting here
Address
Address
GoodGym Wednesday sessions take part in a different location each week, but the group meets at 6:45pm outside the Hat Factory and then walk, cycle or run to where the activity takes place.
The Hat Factory is located at:
65-67 Bute Street
Luton
LU1 2EY
Common locations for activities include People's Park, Wigmore Valley Park and Wardown Park.
Public transport
Public transport
Most people walk or cycle to the meeting point. The nearest bus stops is the Luton Interchange Bus Station, Stations Road, LU1 2LT.
Parking
Parking
Nearest public car parks are Midland Road station car park or on-street parking on Guildford Street. However, sometimes people will make their way directly to the task location rather than the meeting point.
Meeting point for Wednesday GoodGym sessions outside the Hat Factory
Who can join activities here?
Who can join activities here?
Anybody over 18 years of age can join, no matter what fitness level, but you'll generally need to be able to cycle, run or walk.
Opening times
Opening times
The Wednesday outdoor sessions start at the meeting point outside the Hat Factory at 6:45pm and end at 8pm.
Other times and dates are available, but these are the most regular sessions, with only a break at Christmas.
Costs
Costs
Activities are free, but you will need to sign up on the GoodGym website.
You'll be able to make a voluntary donation.
Facilities
Facilities
Near the meeting point, there are toilets in the shopping centre and pubs in town. Generally the locations where we go for our task on Wednesdays have no toilets or other facilities, so you need to come ready changed into your sport clothes.
Accessibility
Accessibility
The Wednesday sessions often take place in difficult terrain away from paved paths. But some of our other activities could be suitable for you, for example our indoors work.
If you have specific access needs or are using a wheelchair or mobility scooter, contact us before signing up.
How to book
How to book
GoodGym uses a simple two-stage process. First, sign up on the website and register for a session. You do not need to be a member to attend, but you do need to register online for each activity.
You’ll receive a confirmation email with more details about the session. If you enjoy it and would like to continue, you can then become a full member afterwards.
To register for your first activity, visit the GoodGym website.
About the staff
About the staff
Sessions are organised and led by local GoodGym leader David Mansfield. Some sessions may also be led by experienced members of the group.
David is a trained run leader and first aider, and there is always a qualified first aider present at the Wednesday group sessions.
For activities involving older people or other vulnerable members of the community, volunteers are DBS checked where required. This rarely applies to the Wednesday sessions.
Good to know
Good to know
Wear running shoes and fitness/gym clothes that are flexible and comfortable.
Dress for the weather and remember sun protection.
Bring some bottled water with you to keep hydrated.
All other equipment will be provided, but sometimes you might need to bring gardening gloves (eg for the litter picks). You will receive detailed instructions for each location when you book.
Supporting the People's Park litter pick on a rainy day
"Running with GoodGym is great because I get fit, do good and get to hang with a load of awesome people."
"Running with GoodGym is great because I get fit, do good and get to hang with a load of awesome people."
More about GoodGym
More about GoodGym
GoodGym arose out of a frustration with normal gyms being a waste of energy and human potential - and responding to growing loneliness in cities. It started when founder Ivo started running to deliver the newspaper to Terry, an older Hackney resident in 2007. Terry was housebound and didn’t see any friends on a regular basis. Ivo wasn’t exercising much and needed a reason to run.
In September 2009, GoodGym formed as a non profit company and in 2011 started meeting up in groups to run to help community projects. In 2015, they registered as a charity.
Partner role: provider of nature-based activities
GoodGym website
Still have a question?
Still have a question?
For general questions about this activity, contact the Luton Health and Nature Partnership.
Alternatively, email David Mansfield, the area coordinator on davidmansfield@goodgym.com
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