‘They think it's amazing someone is giving something free in this world’ 

Motivated by his faith in Jesus, Baptist church member and deacon Graham Nicholls set up a fitness class for anyone. He explains more 

A couple of years ago I sensed that there was something God wanted me to do - but hadn’t a clue what it was, just something!  
 
Over time and many mistakes, but also doors opening I began to get a clearer understanding of what I thought He wanted me to do. I knew it had to do with reaching out to people. 
 
I am a keep fit enthusiast having done exercise/physical training for about 40 years. Through this I have been able to help individuals and during COVID started an online free exercise group for women to hopefully provide them a way of help and support. 
 
Through this avenue and other similar areas that opened up, I finally came up with an outdoor exercise programme called "Parkfit". 
 
Essentially it is a no obligation, free to all, no signing up, no joining up, come when you wish and leave when you wish outdoor exercise programme. 
 
It is a managed programme in which I call out the timing of all the exercises, so it allows both the unfit and even the superfit to take part. All ages are welcome, regardless of who they are, what they are or where they are in life. Children as young as seven have been, and a friend who is 75 has taken part.
 
Nearly everyone asks why this is free. Am I sponsored? Am I from the council? 
 
I simply say no, and explain that I am a believer in and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ: this is my way of saying thanks to Him for His wonderful free gift to me. In turn I wish to give something free to people as an expression of that thanks. 
 
This has received many positive reactions and they just think it is amazing that someone is giving something free in this world. For me the timing could not be even more perfect, with the horrid cost of living rises that we are faced with. Parkfit is therefore something that will help people to keep healthy without cost, make new friends and more importantly, hopefully see and meet our God Himself in and through it. 
 
In every conversation I mention we have three simple guidelines for people to respect - no swearing as children may be present, no blaspheming (and if someone does inadvertently used God's or Jesus' name wrongly, they are usually quick to apologise and do try hard not to do this again); and finally only positive language should be used, as it is also to encourage people to take on a more positive view of themselves and the life God has given to each of us.
 
The classes are not running in the winter, and I am now studying to be a fully accredited personal fitness instructor.  Essentially, this is quite an intense study programme requiring about 7-10 hours a week of study. The instructor training is high level (and will take around two years), it is internationally recognised and accredited. Ultimately it can lead me to manage NHS patients with Type 1 diabetes obesity management, and obesity management patients generally, as well as sports nutrition and other kinds of physical training activities. 

I will start group classes again in April, but this time indoors - this will be a total body workout programme over a week incorporating resistance workout on a Tuesday evening, cardio workout on a Thursday evening and abdominal and full stretching programme on a Saturday morning - on a Saturday morning, there will be opportunity for people to stay and have a coffee and a biscuit afterwards.

I have already met with a local Baptist church which has very good room facilities, and my initial discussions with them have been warmly received. Although I always wanted to keep this free, as there is a charge for the room,  there will be a low cost so anyone can join in.

I will ask people to complete health questionnaires, a risk assessment of the premises will be carried out, and I should be fully accredited. Because it will be more professionally run, and there will be administrative roles to undertake, my wife has kindly agreed to join me in this venture for this role, which I am extremely pleased about. We will be doing this together and I can concentrate on helping people to improve their physical fitness levels.
 
I believe this could open up the programme to many people. I believe I now have the vision of what God wants me to do in this life. It is my sincere hope and prayer it will continue to grow - it has endless possibilities. 
 
 

 
Graham Nicholls is a member and deacon at Didsbury Baptist Church in Manchester