Anytime Fitness partners with R U OK? suicide prevention charity

April 8, 2019

Anytime Fitness, Australia’s largest gym chain, has announced a new partnership with suicide prevention charity, R U OK?

The partnership will see Anytime Fitness will support the work of R U OK? via the annual fundraising challenge, Tread As One. Since 2017, Anytime Fitness has held a 24-hour fundraising drive that calls on members of the community to complete a ‘treadmill challenge’. This sees the clubs keep one or more of their treadmills running for a full 24 hours, while participants receive donations for every 15-minute slot they complete on the treadmill.

Suicide prevention awareness is a core value of Anytime Fitness and its parent company, Collective Wellness Group. With over 500,000 members, Anytime Fitness is dedicated to delivering activity that positively impact the lives and health of all Australians.

2019’s Tread As One is set for strong community participation and fundraising results. With over 500 clubs, and close to a 15% market share (according to IBISWorld figure), Anytime Fitness reaches a greater proportion of health-conscious Australians than any competitor brand.

Anytime Fitness General Manager, Gordon Martin says “Anytime Fitness lives in the heartland of Australia. Our franchisees, members and staff all over the country look to their local Anytime Fitness as an integral part of their community. We are proud to play such an important role in the lives of Aussies and continue to do so with the Tread As One initiative and R U OK?

“With 89% of Australians reporting that they know someone who has made a suicide attempt, inspiring and empowering individuals to start a conversation with someone who might be struggling with life is much needed.”

R U OK? is one of Australia’s most recognised suicide prevention charities. The organisation encourages people to hold meaningful conversations with those around them and ask ‘Are you OK?’. Peer-to-peer support can save lives and R U OK? works to equip people with the skills and confidence to navigate a conversation when someone says, “No, I’m not OK.”

Katherine Newton, Chief Executive of R U OK?, adds “wWe’re thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Anytime Fitness and spread the R U OK? message through its vibrant community. We know that making regular visits to the gym and being with our gym buddies can provide a sense of belonging. We want members to look out for each other and trust their gut when they notice the signs that someone in their gym community might be struggling with life. ”

The Anytime Fitness treadmill challenge was originally started by community, for community, when a group of friends who were bereaved by suicide held a 24-hour challenge with one treadmill in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. It has now grown to hundreds of locations with thousands of community members coming together to bring mental health awareness to light. Since 2017, Anytime Fitness has raised over $800,000 for mental health charities.

Tread As One 2019 runs from Friday 31st May to Saturday 1st June, at participating Anytime Fitness clubs nationwide. Open to Anytime Fitness members and the community as a whole, participants can register from 16th April at www.anytimefitness.com.au/treadmillevent

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