We don’t blame anyone who finds it hard to peel themselves off the couch and into their running shoes, especially during the winter months. It’s often cold, wet and dark outside, so once you’re home from work, why on earth would you want to venture back outdoors? But, knowing there was someone else depending on you to get up, get out and help them, may increase your motivation. That’s exactly the idea behind GoodGym, a community of runners that get fit by doing good. We spoke to founder Ivo Gormley to find out a little more about what makes GoodGym tick.
Lots of us run in groups to help with community projects – for example, last night I was in Hackney, London, shifting woodchip to go around trees in the park to help them stay nourished throughout winter. The tasks are usually very physical and last around 90 minutes, which is the same amount of time you’d typically spend in the gym, but you’re putting all your energy into helping others. We also work with isolated older people who aren’t mobile and may struggle to do simple tasks around the home, such as changing a smoke alarm or tending an overgrown garden, but sometimes we’ll just sit and play games. We also work closely with a number of food banks – we’ll run to the location then do a big sort of the food, which can be quite physical and really fun, then we’ll run back.