Three-time gold medallist sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will headline a free community open day across three newly refurbished North Herts leisure centres on Saturday 21 September, marking the completion of a £1.1 million investment project.
A core member of the Team GB sprint relay team, Harry has won medals at each of the past three Commonwealth Games, including gold at Birmingham 2022 and Gold Coast 2018. He is also a three-times gold medallist at the European Championships and won individual bronze in the 100m in the 2014 Europeans.
As well as being a popular face on BBC TV, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is also an Elite Athlete on Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions programme, which helps guide aspiring athletes in the community.
On the day, at 11am, Harry will officially open the brand-new gym at North Herts Leisure Centre, whereafter visitors will be able to enjoy the state-of-the-art facilities through free taster sessions led by expert personal trainers and gym challenges, with prizes to be won.
The £750,000 gym refurbishment saw the introduction of cutting-edge Life Fitness cardio equipment, advanced resistance equipment and brand-new free weights, benches, dumbbells and squat racks.
Throughout the morning, visitors will also be able to meet and greet Harry, having the opportunity to take photos and ask questions about his impressive career to date.
For all members of the family, taster sessions including Under 5’s gymnastics, Pickleball and walking tennis will be on offer. Free swimming lesson sessions will also be available, as well as the exclusive opportunity to trial a session with Hitchin Water Polo Club.
Little ones will have the opportunity to join in with the Play Wild Soft Play Centre, which includes a princess-themed session, as well as face painting, balloon modelling, and a meet-and-greet with Spiderman.
Meanwhile, at Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre, exclusive free sessions throughout the morning will introduce the centre’s new Les Mills class offering, including BodyPump, BodyCombat and BodyBalance, whilst free spin sessions will showcase the centre’s brand-new spin studio, complete with 19 new Kieser bikes.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to trial a Pilates-based session at Everyone Active’s latest offering, the Reformer studio. A keen advocate for Reformer classes and its health benefits, Harry will also make an appearance at the Hitchin centre.
At Royston Leisure Centre, the refurbished cycling studio - now doubled in size along with its number of bikes - will host spin sessions throughout the day, introducing the brand-new Keiser bikes, innovative audio-visual equipment and an inspiring new look and feel.
In the pool, visitors will be able to take part in free sessions including a two-hour pool inflatable session, a Rookie Lifeguard session and a taster session for Royston Swimming Club, a competitive swimming club which accepts swimmers from age eight years and up.
On land, visitors will also have the opportunity to trial Judo, a CPR training course and AcitveAntz, a programme designed for under 5s which incorporates singing, Soft Play exploration and crafts.
Chris Williams, Contract Manager at Everyone Active across North Herts, said: "We’re thrilled to be opening our doors across North Herts in celebration of an exciting time for fitness in Hertfordshire.
“This fun-filled community open day for locals of all ages and abilities is the perfect opportunity to explore the diverse new facilities on offer if you’ve been inspired by the incredible successes of our local and national athletes this summer.
“Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, a powerhouse and exciting athlete, is also sure to inspire visitors with his incredible sporting and television achievements to date.
“Whether you are a seasoned gym professional or are looking to take the first step in your fitness journey, our team will be thrilled to welcome you. So come on down, enjoy the community spirit and see what is now on offer throughout North Herts.”
Cllr Mick Debenham, Executive Member for Leisure at North Herts Council, said: "We’re delighted to welcome Harry Aikines-Aryeetey to North Herts as we celebrate the refurb of these fantastic facilities. This event showcases our commitment to providing top class recreational spaces for residents. With Harry’s presence and the wide range of activities on offer, we hope to inspire our community to take full advantage of these facilities, stay active, and enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle."
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