Setting the pace

Citation

(1999), "Setting the pace", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 99 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.1999.01799baf.003

Setting the pace

Setting the pace

Healthstart Lifestyles Festival

Formed in 1995, Healthstart events management prides itself on its ability to organize fun, mass participation events that promote healthy lifestyles and all aspects of physical activity (see logo in Figure 1).

The year 1998 has been a very challenging and yet very gratifying year for the company with the introduction of a new and exciting feature to its annual programme ­ The Healthstart Lifestyles Festival. Working closly with employers we now co-ordinate three Healthstart Festivals in the North West that encourage staff to develop healthier lifestyles. Each one is organized in alliance with a number of partners including the NHS, Local Authorities, Chambers of Commerce and a number of sporting bodies.

The purpose of this feature is to help promote the importance of health at work. Persuading people to become healthier isn't easy, the thought of getting fit and healthy can be daunting. Healthstart therefore choose to organize a range of fun, mass participation events that are designed to not only improve the phyiscal well-being of the participant, but also to help improve team building and morale.

Figure 1 Healthstart logo

These events include an award winning series of five kilometre team runs/walks which take place all over the North West (Plate 1). These events called "corporate cups" attract runners and walkers of all abilities ­ beginners and elite ­ with the emphasis on having fun and becoming fitter together. More than 8,000 people take part annually.

Healthstart also co-ordinate two bike rides, the "Liverpool ­ Chester bike ride", and the "North West water cycle" (Plate 2). These are both staged to promote recreational cycling and get as many people into the saddle as possible.

Plate 1 Start of the Manchester Corporate Cup 5km team run

Plate 2 North West water cycle

A number of lifestyle aspects are tackled during the course of the festival. Stresses are eased through massage training and reflexology and aromatherapy demonstrations. Pulses are raised through walk to work days and group aerobics sessions and people are educated through smoking and alcohol awareness days and the provision of healthy eating options in canteens (Plate 3).

Plate 3 Healthy eating options

"The Healthstart Lifestyles Festival is a brilliant mixture of fitness and fun which has helped us get fit for business", says Sue Barber, Health and Safety supervisor, Loot Enterprises Ltd and participant in the Manchester Festival.

For further information on Healthstart events management or any of the events mentioned above please ring Victoria at the Manchester office on 0161 237 2064; or e-mail on: manchester@health-start.com