Make a promise to yourself to be healthier and fitter

A GROUP of sports centre bosses in Sheffield are on their marks for a new city-wide health and fitness initiative.

Six general managers from leisure operator Sheffield International Venues (SIV) have signed up for the new 'What's Your Promise?' campaign.

The scheme is designed to encourage more people in the city to participate in sport or take up health and fitness activities across SIV's facilities during 2009.

Richard Apps, general manager at the award-winning Hillsborough Leisure Centre, has promised to take part in fitness activities with his children three times a week and learn a new sport, while Ponds Forge's Helen Broadbent will swim or take part in Swim Fit sessions in the Olympic-standard pool at least once a week.

Paul Hudson, from the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Don Valley Stadium's Pat Smith and Ian Hamlet at Concord Sports Centre have all pledged to regularly use their venue's facilities for exercise and fitness training.

Mandy Janes, general manager of iceSheffield, has promised to learn to skate at the state-of-the-art venue.

Mandy said: "I have been promising to learn to skate since I became general manager three years ago.

"I made the promise and I have been taking lessons for three weeks now.

"Skating is such good fun, I feel fitter, I'm losing weight and using muscles in my body that I didn't realise that I had!

Promises can be made online by logging on to any one of SIV's websites, which can be accessed by visiting www.sivltd.com.

People who make at least four visits to a centre will receive 50 per cent off their next session and those who attend six times will receive one free activity pass to use at any SIV facility.

Everyone who takes part will also be entered into a free prize draw to win tickets to see Girls Aloud, Torvill and Dean's Dancing on Ice and Pink at Sheffield Arena.

By Kate Lahive