Breaking barriers and negativity surrounding exercise

A free mental health and exercise coach fest is taking place in over 30 locations in the UK to break down barriers around exercise and promote it.

Jo Conneely, 36, living in Newark, is organising the first Newark MHEC Fest 2024 on April 20 at Fuse Fitness on Queens Road, Newark.

The qualified personal trainer and certified mental health coach hopes to spread the message of the power of exercise and movement for positive mental health and break down exercise barriers.

From 10am to 12noon, there will be presentations, a 30-minute exercise class accessible and adapted to all different abilities and a time for a Q&A or private conversations.

Jo said: “It is a safe place for people who may not have exercised before or who need support to find that enjoyment again and to realise they are not alone.

“We may have all had some negative feelings around exercising or our general health so I’ll be sharing my personal experiences and how we can break down these barriers and get moving to feel good.”

The free event is open to anyone, but people need to sign up to save their space.

“We, as personal trainers and coaches are given the education and training to speak openly and positively about mental health with our clients,” added the organiser.

“Moving away from only exercising to look a certain way but to feel good.

“The aim is to allow exercise to be accessible to everyone and for people to understand the barriers to exercise and how we as coaches can support them to break down these barriers and have a much more positive experience of exercising and the gym.”