THE last 12 months have been a unique experience for all of us, impacting life in every conceivable way.

Maybe a positive knock-on effect, and one I am particularly tuned in to, is a new kind of health consciousness that might carry through long after Covid-19 is under some sort of control and life returns to something like normal.

The importance of fitness to mind and body, the role good physical and mental health play in an individual’s life, a family, a community, region and country is almost impossible to overvalue.

Good health and energy can be taken for granted, particularly among age groups who are ‘getting away with it’ while youthful energy and vigour papers over a multitude of sins.

But events of the last 12 months have shone a massive spotlight on the value of our health and the need to look after it and

build on it.

And the removal of health, fitness, sports and activity facilities have also shown many people what an immense part these places play in our lives and within our social groups and communities.

At the time of writing, a petition about opening gyms first has attracted 176,500 signatures and forced formal consideration for a parliamentary debate.

When you consider only a tiny fraction of the population had heard of or encountered this petition (I hadn’t and I’m in the business), then that is a very significant figure.

The weight of the petition has resulted in a government response in which it states reasonably plainly and unequivocally the importance and value of physical activity and the vital role gyms, leisure centres and sports facilities play in national health and wellbeing, for adults and children alike.

How quickly this translates into the opening of such facilities is yet to be seen and is of course dependent on the squashing of the Covid threat.

There is also pressure mounting to launch a ‘Work Out to Help Out’ scheme in much the same way as last year’s Eat Out initiative. The Workout version clearly comes with considerably more health benefits than gorging in a McDonalds or

Wetherspoons.

The government spent £5 billion of public money subsidising people’s pub lunches and party buckets of fried chicken last year, it would be nice to think similar commitment will be shown to the health and fitness industry with all the physical, mental and economic benefits it brings.

Here in Wales the government has been even more determined to place health and fitness facilities at the forefront of business openings.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Minister Eluned Morgan has spoken emphatically about fitness facilities and swimming pools being crucial for the nation’s health.

In Wales we seem to be leading the way in this matter and I know that there are many across the other Home Nations who hope they will follow our lead.

Recent statistics collated by Public Health England show that over 70 per cent of adults want to be healthier in 2021 and I feel these intentions are going to be considerably more powerful than New Year resolutions that dim as rapidly as a mid-winter sun!

Usually at this time of year we’re talking about shaping up after the winter hibernation, getting our energy levels up to enjoy more of an outdoor lifestyle, looking good in our Spring and Summer wardrobes and maybe even embarking on that quest for a beach body.

Well, all of those things still apply, but this year it all comes with so much more purpose and possibly even celebration as we look towards increased freedoms and safety.

Once we open up after lockdown, people who have never been gym-goers or leisure centre users might be more inclined to give them a go, and that can only be a good thing.

www.joeybull.com