Hull – Wellness Zones

Hull City Council was often at the top of the entire league tables you don’t want to be top of – high levels of deprivation, high levels of obesity, health inequalities and low levels of activity in sport and physical activity.

Well this has now all changed and they are winning the race for creating a lasting Olympic Health Legacy.

Hull has used the power of the Olympics and the eight adiZones that they have installed across the city to create what they are calling ‘wellness Zones’. This is now having a massive impact on the health and well being of residents in Hull, some of whom have really felt the benefits of the adiZones and the TGO gym equipment within them.

When David Hawkins, from West Hull, lost his job in June, the effects were immediate.
“I just suffered a big blow to my confidence and started not wanting to go out or do anything. I have always been a big lad but the weight really started to creep on and I stopped walking the dog. I felt really flat all the time and couldn’t see the point of trying to do anything.”

In desperation, David went to Health Central on Ferensway and was advised by one of the Health Trainer team to pop along to his local adiZone, outdoor multi sports gyms which are free and open all year round.

“I was told that they have free sporting activities including gym equipment, dance areas and climbing walls.” He said.

So, despite the fact that he’d never used a gym before, David decided that he had nothing to lose and dropped in to the adiZone at Pearson Park where he was welcomed by one of the adiZone instructors who showed him around the equipment and invited him to take part in a 6 week long summer programme.

“I was well impressed! There is never any pressure and I’ve been shown how to use the equipment properly and given loads of useful tips like how to breathe properly when I’m exercising. It’s all outdoors and it’s all free, it’s just brilliant!”

David now visits his adiZones gym every day for about 45 minutes, using the resistance based equipment and the cardio equipment, especially the cross trainer.

“I really like that there are different people there of all ages. I really look forward to going and when I don’t go I miss it. I feel fitter and more confident now than I ever have.”

David has absolutely no hesitation in recommending adiZones:
“I can’t tell you what a difference using the adiZones gym has made. I have got my motivation back and that feels wonderful. If I can do it, anyone can. I’ve gone from rock bottom in terms of confidence to really feeling like I’m on the way back up in life and that’s all down to getting fit with adiZones.”

To see more details on the Hull experience please click here to view the whole Hull case study.