GET fit while doing good in the community with the launch of the Bournemouth GoodGym.

Bournemouth is newest south coast location for GoodGym - a unique approach to building community cohesion, promoting fitness and reducing social isolation.

Instead of running nowhere on treadmills or lifting weights that don’t need lifting, GoodGym members run to do good and help others.

The weekly runs are free and open to all abilities, combining a short run with a physical task.

Runners who wish can also be paired with an isolated older person and commit to visit them each week.

The Bournemouth GoodGym was launched on Wednesday (Aug 17)

It will be led by local trainer Lydia Turnball, who said she is “thrilled” to be launching the scheme in her local town.

Lydia added: “GoodGym combines the amazing health benefits of getting active with building on the fantastic community we have here on the south coast.

“I hope it gives both existing runners and aspiring runners the chance to get out into the beautiful surroundings; exercising in a fun and sociable way with the added bonus of doing a good deed each week.”

The scheme has been launched as part of the Bournemouth Council Coastal Activity Park

Cllr Lawrence Williams, portfolio holder for tourism, leisure and the arts, said: “Bournemouth council are delighted to be able to support the introduction of GoodGym to the Coastal Activity Park at Boscombe and would encourage local people to support such a great initiative.

“The idea of getting fitter while taking part in valuable voluntary work within the local community is such a fantastic idea.”

In addition to the weekly group runs organised by Lydia some runners will also visit isolated older members of the community as part of their workouts in an intergenerational befriending scheme proven to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing.

Lydia added: “Between 29 per cent and 46 per cent of people over 60 say they feel lonely often or some of the time .

“Meanwhile, only a third of the population is doing at least one session of moderate intensity physical activity per week.

“GoodGym provides an innovative and cost-effective solution to both these issues.”

GoodGym welcomes runners of all ability.

To sign up and for more information go to goodgym.org.