Fitness and nutrition programmes in Walsall build healthier habits

It was a great experience. I never thought I’d be able to stick to a fitness routine for 8 weeks, but the group support really helped.

It wasn’t your stereotypical exercise class. I’ve joined gyms and their classes can seem very daunting and quite intense for a beginner. This class gently eased us in and each week the intensity increased and routine built up further. It has been a fantastic experience.

Gender-specific programmes in Walsall focused on fitness building, nutrition guidance and mental and physical wellbeing have reaped the benefits for inactive adults.

The project was a partnership between Active Black Country and Make More, an organisation which works with and supports underrepresented members of the community. Using Commonwealth Active Communities funding, the two 8-week programmes were tailored to address the specific health challenges faced by men and women in underserved or marginalised communities, barriers to physical health which include lack of access to fitness facilities and limited guidance on exercise and nutrition.

The project was designed to foster healthier habits and included meal plans. Each session involved a one-hour workout led by a personal trainer, with exercises tailored to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness. The meal plans provided guidance on nutritious foods and affordable shopping options.

Key outcomes and impacts

• Health and wellbeing boost - both the men and women reported improvements in fitness levels and in their eating habits, noting an increase in confidence of exercising in a group format.
• Personal trainer well received - the PT tailored workouts to different fitness levels, gradually increasing the intensity without overwhelming participants.
• Successful engagement - for the women’s group, WhatsApp was used to convey information and videos to members relating to fitness programmes and nutrition. Participants used the platform to encourage and motivate each other. People were also sharing their success stories which helped to inspire others.
• Fostered social inclusion - the project helped the women involved to continue their communication and to extend the programme beyond the eight weeks.
• Outlet for stress relief - for the men’s group, members noted how the physical activity, structured routine, and sense of community reduced stress and provided a positive distraction from everyday pressures of work and family responsibilities.

Key learnings

Keeping the men engaged over eight weeks was a challenge. Many found it difficult to stay committed due to work and family obligations. To address this, Make More worked on building a strong group dynamic, encouraging participants to support each other through regular check-ins in the Facebook group and celebrating small wins to keep motivation high. This was subsequently adapted for the women’s project, moving to a WhatsApp group.

Additional incentives for attendance could be considered for future iterations of the programme, and incorporating mid-week check-ins or online sessions to accommodate participants who may struggle to attend in person. A more centrally located venue with better transport links might also make it easier for participants to attend.

As with the women’s programme, the majority of participants were sourced through direct marketing rather than referrals from social prescribing. Increasing referral routes could boost future attendance.

Sharing insights

• Using WhatsApp and Facebook helped participants stay connected and motivated, between sessions, extending the impact of the programme beyond the physical space.
• Gender-specific approaches allowed the design and delivery to respond to the different motivations, barriers, and needs of participants, creating a more comfortable and effective experience.
• Gradually increasing exercise intensity and offering achievable meal plans helped participants ease into healthier habits without feeling overwhelmed.
• Group dynamics, shared success stories, and mutual encouragement fostered a sense of community that was key to participant retention and confidence-building.
• Flexible scheduling, central venues, and mid-week check-ins or online options could support those balancing work, family, or transport challenges, which is especially important for long-term engagement.