For Gyms

Open your doors to someone who might otherwise never walk through them.

Community Strength Network works with people who are already members of gyms who are keen to help others by volunteering as a Gym Buddy and their gyms to help people take their first steps into regular exercise.

Reach people traditional gym marketing may never reach.

Some people want to become more active but lack the confidence to walk into a gym alone. A Gym Buddy helps remove that first barrier.

By supporting Gym Buddy, your gym can:

• welcome people who might otherwise never become members
• demonstrate genuine commitment to the local community
• create a supportive route into exercise
• build relationships with people who may previously have felt that gyms weren't for them
• connect with a wider network of community organisations

This isn’t about giving away memberships. It’s about giving someone an opportunity to start.

What we’re asking from gyms

Be part of the welcome. Supporting Gym Buddy can be surprisingly simple. We're asking gyms to consider :

• Access — Allow a participant to attend with their registered Gym Buddy during the supported introductory period.
• Welcome — Help create an environment in which participants understand where things are and feel comfortable attending.
• Transition — Where appropriate, consider offering an introductory membership rate when someone becomes ready to attend independently.
• Support the Buddy — Gyms may also choose to recognise volunteer Gym Buddies through discounted membership or other benefits.

Help Gym Buddy grow in your gym

Your members could help support someone start their gym journey.

Community Strength Network is volunteer-led. Gym Buddies are ordinary gym-goers who choose to give some of their time to help someone else take their first steps into/back into exercise.

If you'd like to help, one of the most valuable things that you can do is simply let your members know the opportunity exists.

CSN can provide ready-to-use materials for your website, social media and noticeboards, including:

· Social media posts and graphics

· Printable posters and QR codes

· Short website/newsletter copy

· Information explaining the Gym Buddy role

· A direct link for members to register their interest with CSN

You provide the platform. We provide the materials. Your members decide whether they would like to volunteer.

I'D LIKE TO HELP RECRUIT GYM BUDDIES

What’s in it for the gym?

CSN is a community initiative, but we recognise that successful partnerships need to work for everyone.

Gym Buddy can introduce your facility to people who may previously have felt that gyms weren’t for them. Some may ultimately choose to become members.

We think that’s a positive outcome: the participant gains confidence and independence, the gym gains an opportunity to build a lasting relationship, and the community gains another physically active person.

Gym Buddies are not personal trainers.

They don't prescribe exercise programmes, provide medical advice or replace qualified professionals. Their role is much simpler: to ACCOMPANY, ENCOURAGE and help someone BECOME COMFORTABLE in the gym environment.

Want to support Gym Buddy?

You don't need to run the scheme or recruit volunteers yourself.

If your members are interested in becoming Gym Buddies, CSN will provide the information and support they need. We simply ask gyms to help create an environment in which they can support someone else.

If you'd like to understand how Gym Buddy could work at your gym, we'd be very happy to talk.

TALK TO CSN