National Health and Fitness Day coming up on June 5

Get ready to show off your moves, Canada!

Coming up on June 5, National Health and Fitness Day (NHFD) is the best way to cope with COVID-19 fatigue. Following the success of last year’s first ever virtual event, as well as Winter Health and Fitness Week earlier this year, the latest event is challenging people coast to coast to get moving, feel good and share the joy of the outdoors.

Canada is facing an inactivity crisis. Daily physical activity is on the decline and preventable illness is on the rise.  It’s time to get up, get out, and get active!  National Health and Fitness Day (NHFD) is an initiative to challenge Canada to become the Fittest Nation on Earth, starting with making one day, the first Saturday in June, the day when Canadians get out and get active in any way they wish.

NHFD spring-boarded off the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as a project to mobilize the spirit of the games and create a legacy of improved health for all Canadians. Former Senator Greene Raine introduced a Private Members Bill (S-211), to formally recognize NHFD, and it was passed unanimously through the Senate in June 2014. Over the last 10 years, MPs and Senators have worked with their local mayors and councillors of cities and towns across the country to proclaim Canada’s NHFD on the first Saturday in June and to mark the day in some way.

So far, almost 500 municipalities across the country from east to west to north have proclaimed the day.  Programs are delivered through partnerships with organizations like ParticipACTION, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Physical & Health Educators of Canada, and the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association. The initiative is also supported by an Advisory Council made up of leaders in the fitness and health sectors. The Board is led by Pierre Lafontaine, former Olympic Swim coach, and supported by Senator Marty Deacon, Senator Chantal Petitclerc, Olympic Icon Nancy Greene Raine, Phil Marsh from the Running Room and former MP John Weston.

To promote NHFD, use the hashtag #ShowUsYourMoves and #NHFD2021. The French hashtag is #BougeAvecNous.

To see how the fitness industry is getting involved, visit gympass.ca.

For more information visit nhfdcan.ca.