Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s Fit Maintenance programme sees participants return to the sessions year after year as a way to keep healthy

Community Trust’s Fit Maintenance programme helps Latics fans to lead more active lifestyles
The weekly sessions are £3 each and held at the DW Stadium every Monday.
“It’s done me a world of good. They build this group of people who are friendly and you don’t feel embarrassed or the odd one out.” – Fit Maintenance participant, Alan Adams.

Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s Fit Maintenance programme is helping Latics fans to stay healthy and lead more active lifestyles.

The programme is an extension of the Fit Latics programme, a 12-week project that provides weekly circuit training sessions, alongside nutritional advice and tips on how to incorporate healthier eating into everyday life. The Maintenance sessions allow participants to keep up the routine they’ve built and maintain that healthy lifestyle.

Many participants have been attending the Maintenance sessions for a number of years and have even been able to make new friends and motivate each other to keep attending every week.

One participant, Mark Burrows, is 53 and has been attending the sessions for nine years now. Speaking at one of the sessions, he said:

“I needed something to give me a push, so I came down and I thoroughly enjoy it.

“Just by doing [the sessions] you can see how much you improve. The more you come, the more you do, the better you get. That’s why I keep coming back.

“The people who run it are just brilliant, they encourage you and we have a laugh.”

One of Mark’s friends, who he met through the programme, Alan Adams, is 68 and said the programme has had a positive impact on his life, saying:

“I’m reaching that age now, where I’m trying to keep myself in shape. I don’t do any [other exercise] but I do look forward to doing this session. I’ve lost a bit of weight and it’s done me a world of good.

“The staff know our needs and they’re so, so friendly. They build this group of people who are friendly and you don’t feel embarrassed or the odd one out. You’ve got one-on-one here as well, it’s like having a personal trainer.

“Mental health wise, I am much more confident with myself and that’s just through coming here.”

Sessions costs £3 to attend and are held at the DW Stadium every Monday from 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

For more information on the Fit Latics and Fit Maintenance programmes, please email j.cook@wiganathletic.com or call 01942 318090.

Community | Fit Maintenance programme helping lifelong Latics fans to lead a more active lifestyle