Can Exeter beat the odds and overtake Oxford and Cambridge in the fitness stakes?

With their high population of super-smart students, it might come as no surprise that Oxford and Cambridge hold the top two positions when it comes to being the most fit and active cities in the UK. However, Exeter is in a solid third position, and local councillor Phil Bialyk is determined that the city should not rest – quite literally – until it has achieved the top spot.

Mentally and physically fit in the online age

Exeter has become a hotbed for entrepreneurship and new business creation in the digital age, and the University of Exeter’s acclaimed MBA programme has nurtured some great talent. Alumni have launched businesses in every kind of online field, from travel apps to online casinos that compete with the big names at https://www.thecasinodb.com. However, Councillor Bialyk is determined that Exeter residents can demonstrate that they don’t just have the finest brains – they have the physical fitness to match.

Getting everyone involved

Friendly rivalry with Oxbridge is all good fun, but there is a deadly serious side to Councillor Bialyk’s objectives. An active lifestyle promotes physical and mental wellbeing, reduces the strain on NHS resources and aids local businesses through improved productivity and reduced sick days. There really is no downside to being more active.

For this reason, the councillor is not looking for a simple way to fudge the figures by getting those already involved in physical activity to do more. He is determined that as many members of the community as possible should reap the benefits, and that means making a concerted effort to get everyone involved.

Weight management

A perfect example of the strategy in action is Exeter Weight Management Centre. Based at The Senate in Southernhay, it works alongside the local NHS Trust and Diabetes UK and has achieved some remarkable results in the local community using the Cambridge Weight Plan.

The Centre has been an important part of the local health and fitness scene for the past 30 years. It is run by Ian Stone, a man who himself has 15 years experience as a weight loss coach and who has worked as a personal fitness trainer with some top sports stars and athletes over the years. He shares Councillor Bialyk’s vision and firmly believes that everyone in Exeter can play their part in making the city even fitter and healthier.

Stone commented that the biggest obstacle to a healthier and more active life is understanding that every individual is different and needs to find a fitness regime and dietary plan that works for them. Anything else becomes a chore and is doomed to fail. He said: “It’s all about finding something that works for you and that you enjoy.”

Getting more people more active

The fitness league tables assess the percentage of people aged 16+ who engage in sport and physical activity for more than 150 minutes per week. With the likes of Councillor Bialyk and Ian Stone behind Exeter’s initiatives, Oxford and Cambridge need to be looking over their shoulders.