Posted:27-January-2017
Olympian launches Premier Sport's brand new health & fitness programme
On Tuesday 14th January Olympian and mum of three, Sally Gunnell OBE officially launched Premier Transition, the latest brand offering brought to market by Premier Sport. Sally took to national and local media, including, Sky News, the Chris Evans Breakfast Show and many more to highlight the importance Premier Transition has to play in developing healthy attitudes to life from an early age.
Premier Transition has been in development over the past 18months, and is the third offering from Premier Sport to support the expanding network of franchisees. Transition not only services Premiers existing customers, but opens up new markets including adults and early years.
The launch couldn’t have been more timely, with recent research showing Children across the UK are missing out on the best possible start in life because their parents don’t have the time, money or knowledge to help them lead a healthier lifestyle, a survey suggests*.
Two thirds of parents polled by leading children’s coaching company Premier Sport say they don’t know enough to educate their children about healthy living, while 37% blame lack of time and 30% cite the cost of healthy food and gym facilities as a barrier.
The survey also found that despite just 16% of children leading the healthiest lifestyle in their household, less than half of parents will be encouraging their children to get fitter over the next 12 months.
Olympic gold medallist, Premier Sport supporter and mother-of-three, Sally Gunnell OBE, is shocked by the figures and says families need more support to get active if future generations are to stay fit and healthy.She said: “These are truly worrying statistics. Parents lead very busy lives, but we are facing a child obesity epidemic, so it’s vital that we do all we can to give our kids the best start in life. A positive approach to healthy living starts in the home, but there’s plenty the wider community, including schools, can do to support parents and ensure a joined up approach to family wellbeing.”
The former 400m hurdler was speaking as Premier Sport officially launched its pioneering Premier Transition program – a unique health and wellbeing initiative enabling early years support, nurseries, primary schools and parents to work together to improve family fitness.
The scheme - thought to be the first of its kind anywhere in the UK - gives parents the chance to attend fitness classes at their child’s school straight after dropping them off, or just before picking them up. Participating schools are also given a 6-12 week program to educate pupils on the importance of active, healthy lifestyles – a key part of the national curriculum’s focus on wellbeing.
“The great thing about Premier Transition is that it removes some of the key barriers we know parents struggle with when it comes to family fitness,” Ms Gunnell said, adding: “Not only do the classes provide parents with low-cost access to fitness facilities at a time when they would to be heading to school anyway, they also give them tips and advice on nutrition so they can help their families get fitter and healthier too.”
Research from Premier Sport last year found that just 10% of UK youngsters are doing physical activity every day at school, while only 25% are managing an hour or more’s exercise a day.
The Children’s Inactivity study also found that 85% of parents think their children would benefit from more education around fitness in school, while 60% are worried about childhood obesity levels.
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