Jesmond Pool and Gym is hoping to get local people fit again wth a 60-second daily challenge next month that offers a chance to win a free membership.

As part of May’s Jesmond Community Festival activities, the challenges will involve a series of different exercises that get progressively more difficult as the month continues. The challenges are being run by Craig Johnson, a personal trainer at the gym, who says the aim is to return the local community to fitness and encourage local people back into regular exercise routines.

Johnson is asking participants to post videos of themselves doing the daily challenge, to stand a chance of winning a free month’s pool and gym membership. The more challenges you post, the more times you will be entered into the draw.

Johnson told JesmondLocal: “Everyone can see that we’re having a laugh and we’re struggling to do the exercises too, so anyone can get involved regardless of their fitness level. There’s no pressure. We’re doing them in the gym so you can get an idea of the atmosphere and meet the staff to see what a closely knit team we are. It may help people who are unsure about coming back.”

In previous years, Jesmond Pool and Gym has provided taster yoga, Zumba and mermaid classes for the festival but has opted this year for online activities, because of COVID restrictions. The challenges will be posted on the organisation’s Facebook page.

The Pool and Gym, which has been renovated during the lockdown closure, is also offering free 30-minute taster sessions with its four new personal trainers.

If you would like to take part in the ‘One Minute a Day, Every Day in May’ challenge, visit the Jesmond Pool and Gym Facebook page or the Jesmond Community Festival website.