Anytime Fitness Bathurst hosts suicide prevention fundraising event

A ‘24 Hour Treadmill Challenge’ is taking place today at Anytime Fitness to raise money for Suicide Prevention Australia.

Today will see Anytime Fitness Bathurst will host a ’24 Hour Treadmill Challenge’ in order to raise money for Suicide Prevention Australia. Starting at 3pm, the gym will turn on one of its treadmills and not turn it off until a full day later.

Participants can pay $15 to take a turn to run, jog or walk on the treadmill for a 15 minute interval. Of course, fitter fundraisers can attempt a longer timeframe if they think they are up to the task.

Anytime Fitness will also be running a paid Pilates class at 9.30am in order to bring in some extra funds. This money will join the pot created by a host of other fundraising actives, with local sports teams getting involved as well.

“Everyone has been touched by suicide or mental health, so this fundraiser is a great way to show your support for Suicide Prevention,” said Anytime Fitness Bathurst manager Karly McDonald.

“What better way to do that than getting on the treadmill.”

The benefits of regular physical activity for mental wellbeing have long been touted by health experts. As well as increased confidence and a sense of self-achievement, exercise brings a range of physical benefits too.

“Exercise and mental health are both related, as exercise makes you happy and releases endorphins,” said McDonald.

The Bathurst treadmill challenge is part of a nationwide drive by Anytime Fitness Australia to promote awareness and raise money for Suicide Prevention.

Anytime Fitness currently has over 3,000 franchised locations in 20 countries. The company has grown significantly since it was founded in 2002 by Chuck Runyon, Dave Mortensen, and Jeff Klinger. In 2014 Forbes ranked the company as the fastest growing health club franchise in the world.