ukactive has announced that National Fitness Day 2024 will take place on Wednesday 18 September, hot on the heels of the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris.

The nation’s most active day of the year promises to be the biggest yet, with vibrant new branding for the 2024 campaign to reflect the fun and diversity at its heart.

Now in its 13th year, National Fitness Day will be supported by sports rewards platform, Endurance Zone and men’s mental health charity, Movember, for the second year in a row.

Gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres, sports clubs, studios, schools, workplaces, and online providers across the UK will be opening their doors to encourage as many people as possible to try something new and reap the physical, social and mental benefits of physical activity. 

Last year, 10.2 million people in the UK were directly motivated to participate in some form of activity on National Fitness Day, whether for the first time or for the hundredth time. The campaign had a global media reach of 57.2 million, with 31.3 million engaging on social media.

Following this success, the theme of ‘Your Health is for Life’ will return, as ukactive and its campaign partners emphasise the essential role physical activity can play in our physical and mental health at every stage of our lives.

It comes at a crucial time for the nation’s health and wellbeing, after Sport England’s 2022-23 Active Lives data showed growing inequalities in physical activity levels across the nation.
From children and young people to the working age population and the older generations, National Fitness Day will encourage everyone to embrace being more active and why is it important for your overall health.

The Fitness Day Rewards App from Endurance Zone is now available to download from all app stores where the more you move, the more points you acquire that can be redeemed on prizes and discounts on the nation’s favourite brands.

The campaign will also help the physical activity sector to demonstrate the essential role it plays in helping to prevent more than 20 chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, many types of cancer, depression and anxiety.

Movember will help the campaign to raise awareness around the importance of mental health and how there is a clear link between being physically active and having better mental health.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “It’s clear that our nation’s gyms, pools, leisure centres, fitness studios and sports clubs have never been so in demand, showing how much people value physical activity for their physical and mental health.

“It’s great to announce the date for National Fitness Day and some fantastic partners in the shape of Endurance Zone and Movember, to help us make this year our biggest yet.

“National Fitness Day really is a fun day with a serious message and this year, with the potential for a General Election and an exciting summer of sport, we have a golden chance to highlight the value of physical activity at all ages, and the role of our members in building a happier and healthier nation.”