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Welsh Health Matters - Saturday 10th April 2021
Sam Taylor
On Saturday 10th April 2020, I will be walking in solidarity with my fellow gym goers and gym owners across Wales for Welsh Health Matters, in demonstration of the delayed reopening of gyms in Wales, as part of the lockdown restrictions easing. Call it a demonstration, call it a protest call it what you will, agree or don’t agree its fine, but its something that I feel strongly about…the T shirts are on order with our ever reliable printer as we speak.
I know there will be some who won’t agree with what we’re doing, as there was section of society who haven’t agreed with the Black Lives Matters protests or the Sarah Everard vigils, as I said that’s fine, I don’t expect everyone to understand or show support.
If you haven’t been keeping abreast of what’s happening - in a nutshell gyms in both England and Wales have been closed since the week before Christmas, and despite, in February The Mental Health Minister Eluned Morgan Stating that she was concerned about the impact of the closures on peoples well-being, she also went on to say that
“we recognise the amazing difference that keeping fit can have on someone’s mental health and that’s why we were really reluctant to close down gyms. That’s why, when we re-open, it will be one of the first things which we will try and consider…. gyms are very much in the early opening areas we would like to focus on”
Yet here we are in April, looking at gyms not opening until May, after hairdressers, tattooists, non-essential shops and pubs…yes pubs! and even more controversially a whole month later than England.
Now I’m not going to get into science or politics here but frankly what the hell!!? I’ve struggled throughout lockdown with how a supermarket where I’m mixing with dozens of people picking up items from a shelf that could’ve been touched hundreds of times before me, and not cleaned is more dangerous that me training next to my wife in an environment, which could easily be socially distanced, cleaned and managed safely in a gym.
And I’ve heard the most ridiculous reasoning for it, apparently according to one commenter on social media we will cough, splutter and spit everywhere, he then admitted he had never actually stepped foot in a gym, but seemed to be an expert, but everyone has an opinion I suppose, I just don’t give mine on things I know nothing about!! – and rest assured anyone spitting in my gym would be banned immediately!
I make no secret of the fact the gym was paramount in my mental health recovery, and I know for a fact there will be many who will resonate with this, yes I’ve taken it to the extreme in terms of competing and my Strongwoman journey, but rest assured it is just as important to me today as it was the first time I stepped in a gym 6 years ago.
The physical benefits of exercise are immense, and sadly very much overlooked by the medical profession – Prevention or control of diseases such as Diabetes, Heart Disease, arthritis, back pain, obesity, increased bone density and strength which means a lower risk of developing osteoporosis, improved sleep, to name but a few. Then there are the mental health reasons - helps prevent cognitive decline improved sense of well-being, improved self-confidence, improved body image, the release of endorphins which elevates mood, reduces stress and anxiety. – Frankly why aren’t we all in the gym?
How I see it is - we have all sadly been tarred with a brush of cardio enthusiasts trudging away on banks of treadmills – which of course as social media commenters will tell you – can be done outside, or classes of people jumping around in lycra (think Mad Lizzie or Mr motivator depending on your generation) and of course those of us who lift weights are vain, body image obsessed, and only go for the mirrors - I would say it’s fair to say our esteemed leaders in the Senedd haven’t stepped foot in a gym in a long time themselves to see what goes on, or worse aren’t prepared to listen to their electorate when they desperately try in vain to explain how the industry works and just how vital it is for health.
And this is why I will proudly be walking in the Welsh Health Matters Demonstration on Saturday
See you there!!.......