New heart health and physical wellbeing programme

Thursday 27 October 2022 Written by: Adam


Starting in January 2023, Falcons Fit is a new 12-week health and wellbeing programme running every Wednesday between 6:30-8pm at Kingston Park Stadium.

Falcons Fit is designed to help educate participants on health interventions and lifestyle adjustments to help promote heart health.

The programme will consist of a combination of rugby-themed physical activity and healthy lifestyle workshops, with a focus on reducing the risk of heart disease.

Across the country, every five minutes someone is admitted to hospital due to a heart attack. Indeed, 25% of deaths in the UK are related to heart and circulatory diseases. That is one in four of your workmates, your friends, your family.

**Falcons Fit will enable participants to:**

* Improve eating habits through a greater understanding of calories and healthy food swaps.

* Increase physical activity levels per week. Participants will use step count measurements to encourage more frequent physical activity throughout their daily lives.

* Provide potentially life-saving CPR (training given on week two of the course).

* Set SMART goals to make lifestyle changes to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

* Access behind-the-scenes facilities at Kingston Park Stadium.

* Understanding how physical activity and nutrition are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

* Monitor their blood pressure, weight and key measurements on a regular basis.

The programme is suitable for all levels of ability, and the activity is structured according to the individual, allowing participants to work at their own pace.

The programme is fully funded through the support of Heart of the Tyne, British Heart Foundation and Kitwave.

Melanie Magee, head of Newcastle Rugby Foundation, said: “We are really excited to launch this partnership and look forward to our first cohort joining in January.

“We know programmes like this work fantastically well to improve the physical and mental well-being of our participants, and are great fun too!

“We aim to widen the project once the first group have attended, so please get in touch to register your interest even if you can’t make the first group.

“A huge thank you to the British Heart Foundation and David Brind and the team at Heart of Tyne for all their support and guidance, as well as support for the project from Kitwave. It wouldn’t be possible without fantastic organisations like yours.”

To register your interest in Falcons Fit please email falconscommunity@newcastle-falcons.co.uk or come and visit our pop-up stall in the West Stand prior to the Falcons v Bath fixture on Saturday November 5.