Get fit, work out for free and raise money for your school

New Windsor School year one and year two.

Teachers around the country, along with their partners, are eligible for a free one month’s trial at Les Mills, simply by enrolling their school in the Les Mills School of Fitness programme.

The programme, piloted in New Lynn, Auckland in 2006, and now being rolled out nationwide, offers teachers, parents, family friends and relatives of pre-school, primary and intermediate students, free gym trials, plus the ability to earn sports equipment for their school each time they work out.

Teachers have an enormous influence on their pupils and are encouraged to be health and fitness role models.

Teachers who take part in Les Mills School of Fitness will have their resting heart rate recorded at the beginning, during and the end of the school term.

In addition, teachers and their partners will be able to work out for free with a one month’s trial at Les Mills.

For teachers with a current Les Mills membership, and whose school signs up to the programme, Les Mills will donate $30 to their school sports equipment fund to thank them for continuing to be a healthy role model for their pupils.

The school with the highest percentage of teachers in the healthy zone (75 beats per minute or under) can win hundreds of dollars of sports equipment for their school.

The programme also offers ‘tickets to exercise’ for students to pass on to parents, family friends and relatives, giving them a free 14 day trial at a participating Les Mills Gym. Each time they enjoy a workout, a donation of $1 will go directly to the school to purchase sports equipment.

The programme is supported by a Les Mills instructor who visits the schools for fun and fitness sessions. The school also receives ­signage to promote the schools participation as well as on-line updates on how their teachers are performing in the inter-school competition.

Reece Zondag, CEO of Les Mills NZ, says the programme is designed to make NZers of all ages more aware of the benefits of being healthy.

“We see it as a great way to put something back into the community by helping schools raise money for sports equipment, while at the same time helping people switch to a healthier lifestyle,” says Mr Zondag.

“It’s also a great fit with the government’s move to have national physical education standards for schools and adds some excitement and fun into the process of helping both young and old keep themselves in better shape.

“We have found the pilot programme to be hugely successful, and are excited to be rolling it out nationwide,” says Mr Zondag.

In 2009 St Joseph’s on Auckland’s North Shore was lucky enough to be invited to join the Les Mills School of Fitness Promotion, says Diana Luxon, sports co-ordinator at the school.

“The whole school had a chance to attend an aerobic/pump class and this was very popular and enjoyable. A spin class was held as a staff meeting… this gave many laughs to a stressed staff,” says Ms Luxon.

“All in all it was a well organised and worthwhile experience as we received not only a fitness boost but sports gear for the children too.”

To enrol your school in the Les Mills School of Fitness programme and receive your free one month’s membership, please call 0800 Les Mills (0800 5376 4557).