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The FitnessVideoPodcast team were delighted to support the British Heart Foundation’s current “Pick Up The Beat” Campaign by taking part in a Squat Challenge held at Bedford’s Fitness First gym on Saturday 26 April 2008.

Along with 2 others we were required to squat continuously for 2 hours.  We had been in training for the event for 4 weeks and our training routine which comprised a range of resistance exercises including deadlifts, squats and lunges to build up the strength in our legs, stood us in good stead.  The whole team successfully finished the challenge, completing a total of 71 sets  of squats (each set comprised 12 squats).  Fitness First is supporting the British Heart Foundation’s “Pick Up The Beat”  Campaign by screening a promotional video and holding a series of events in Fitness First gyms across the country.  The intention is to raise awareness of the BHF’s campaign and to help raise funds for the charity.  The BHF wants to emphasis the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy heart and to encourage people to become more active.  The campaign highlights that just small increases in activity levels - as little as increasing the tempo of your heart for just 20 minutes a day can reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 50%.

The BHF website is full of useful suggestions of how people can increase their activity levels - for more information go to www.bhf.org.uk where you will find details of sponsored events taking place around the country this year.  It is a well known fact that people who get themselves sponsored to take part in an event find themselves more motivated to achieve their fitness goal so why not sign up for a sponsored walk, cycle or swim taking place somewhere near you and get yourself in training for the Event?  You will be helping to raise much needed funds for the very worthwhile work of the BHF and achieving your fitness goals too.

Remember, it is never too late for anybody to start exercising.  Even if you have not exercised for years, health risks will decrease as soon as you do start to increase your activity levels.  You should always check with your doctor before embarking on any exercise or fitness programme.