Free gym membership
Free gym membership for school leavers who take part in health study Researchers at the University of Bath are offering free gym membership to school leavers in Wiltshire who take part in a study to promote healthy lifestyle habits.
Dr Stefan Koehn from the University’s School for Health is looking for 16 to 19-year-olds to take part in the study which will look at exercise and healthy eating.
Each volunteer will be given free gym membership at a local leisure centre and encouraged to choose an activity they enjoy which includes using the gym, playing tennis, football, basketball or swimming. They will also be able to receive refunds on other activities. Participants are also invited to bring along a friend or family member to exercise together.
The programme, which runs from July to September 2010, will begin with an introductory session at local leisure centres across Wiltshire. Part of the introduction will be with a dietician to inform about healthy eating.
During the course of the program, participants will be asked to meet six times with a researcher to discuss their progress and fill out questionnaires on their exercise experience.
Dr Koehn said: “The idea is to establish the routine of activity and healthy eating at an age when it is easier to change habits as young people move from school to university or work. We are particularly interested in those who have not been interested in exercise in the past.”
Anyone interested in take part in the study is asked to contact Dr Koehn on 01225 385448 or email s.koehn@bath.ac.uk by 25 June.
