People Fixing the World

Running to do good

People Fixing the World

What if all the energy used at the gym was directed towards helping others, rather than lifting useless weights and running nowhere on a treadmill? That thought struck Ivo Gormley 10 years ago. So instead of running on a treadmill, he started running to see an elderly person twice a week. A few friends liked his idea, and the Good Gym was born. Today, you can find the organisation in more than 50 areas across the UK. It combines fitness with volunteering. One of its activities involves younger members running to visit older people - both groups can be at risk of feeling lonely and isolated, particularly in big cities. People are also invited to work on community projects - a group runs to the job together, helps out, then runs back. It has been particularly successful at attracting women who tend to exercise less than men. Reporter Dina Newman (Photo credit: Good Gym)

Next Episodes

People Fixing the World

Forecasting volcanoes @ People Fixing the World

📆 2020-01-14 04:06 / 00:24:46



People Fixing the World

How to move the Earth @ People Fixing the World

📆 2019-12-31 04:06 / 00:24:32


People Fixing the World

Checking in with the problem solvers @ People Fixing the World

📆 2019-12-24 04:06 / 00:22:56


People Fixing the World

Making your deliveries greener @ People Fixing the World

📆 2019-12-17 04:06 / 00:25:53