Fourteen FANTASTIC @GGSheff runners ran 4KM and carried countless dusty tables and chairs up three flights of ancient stairs to assist in bringing the Abbeydale Picture House back to it's former glory for the benefit of the local community.

After running 2KM to the venue we met NOTORIOUS NICK and SENSATIONAL STEVE who gave us an excellent explanation of the work that CADS are doing to bring the Abbeydale Picture House back into use with community events, art exhibitions, flea markets, studio space and more!

Following forty minutes of carrying tables and chairs up the creaking stairs we took to CENTER STAGE for the fitness performance of our lives! To a roaring audience of zero we;

*SQUATTED *LUNGED *180'D *BURPED *CLIMBED MOUNTAINS *DUCK WALKED *PRESSED UP *TRI-DIPPED - TO SOME DUBIOUS BACKING SOUNDS

Nothing wrong with a bit of squeaky furniture and some heavy breathing!

Finally we relayed our way around the sensational stalls and exited stage rear for some refreshments, before heading back to base on an alternative route and took in the local 50M athletics track to get some final sprints in before we stretched off.

With a lot more lifting and shifting still to be done I am sure we will return again for a repeat performance! Take a look at the before and after photos to see what an impact we can have in such a small apace of time!

GREAT EFFORT @GGSheff!

Next week we are off to a new task location with THE BEST NIGHT TIME CITY VIEWS OF THE STEEL CITY to help FRIENDS OF SHEAF VALLEY PARK

You can sign up to next weeks run with FOSVP here

14 FANTASTIC Good Gym Sheffield Runners ran 8km to Sharrow Community Forum

After a quick group photo, cementing our terrific trainer Stephen's work with the group since it started, we headed off to Sharrow Community Forum (SCF) to get our hands dirty (well white).

Caretaker Callum kindly showed us where our tools & dust sheet/s (jury's out) were and provided us with juice to quench our thirsts after a good 40mins of hard graft painting the outside walls of the Forum in readiness for it to be the canvas for some local children to express themselves through Graffiti Art. With some more walls to cover I am sure we will be back and look forward to seeing the artwork complete at a later date.

"Is this a dust sheet or an ankle support?" Good Gym Kim.

On finishing the whitewash, we left brushes in the bucket and headed for home on an extended loop to get some extra KM's in! Once back at base we got some great sprint training with some Meet & Retreat paired relays and some longer looped relays to really get the blood pumping!

We finished off with some upper body work including press up's and tricep dips, had a quick challenge with trying out some piston squats (harder than they look) and had a good stretch off.

Following the session we headed round the corner to the Sheaf for a quick shandy bass to see Sensational Steve off and thank him for his work since the groups inception before he headed for a Fanoush Feast and relaxing train to Edinburgh with a glass of Merlot all in the same night - what a hero!

Next Mon we are heading back to the Abbeydale Picture House - a beautiful old building which needs a LOT of work to bring it back to it's old glory days. We will be meeting Steve Rimmer (GG Sheffield runner & CADS head honcho!) at the venue and helping to bring the House back to order.

AN INSIDE TASK NOT ONE TO BE MISSED - SIGN UP HERE

14 Goodgymers ran 4 KM to paint a converted classroom at Sharrow community centre.

The task

The task facing us tonight was to give an old classroom a coat of paint as it is being turned in to a woodworking space as part of Sharrow community centre. The centre used to be a primary school but now acts as a hub right in the centre of Sharrow in Sheffield. Maria, our contact at the centre had left a number of painting weapons and specific instructions for the team to follow. She had also very kindly left us some refreshments which was very kind. The team was painting for 50 Minutes before the task was complete. Many hands…etc Before long we were cleaning up and ready to move on

Run strong, live free

We then proceeded back to base where we used the car park at Sheffield United for some relay races. All terrific fun. The was a bit of ski jumping which rounded off a perfect evening.

We are back out again on Thursday for a taster session. Same time, same start location. Although this is geared up for new members, everyone is welcome and it would be great to have some of the regulars along to help promote our great work. Sign up here

Monday 16th Jan we are meeting at Bramall Lane for our weekly group run. Sign up here

GoodGym Sheffield is funded by Age Better in Sheffield in association with South Yorkshire Housing Association and the Big Lottery fund.

13 GoodGymmers ran 5 km to move and distribute wood chip at Heeley City Farm

A chilly, but dry evening greeted our team for our latest group run. We decided best not to hang around and use the run to our task as the warm up.

Warmed up by the time we arrived, the planning had gone like clockwork and the secret location of the garden tools was revealed. Unfortunately the task owner was unable to attend tonight, so alternative plans were made.

The task

It was very simple, but challenging. A huge pile of wood chip needed transporting from the road next to the farm and placing in the children's play area ready for the Christmas hoards expected at the farm. We quickly handed out shovels and barrows and got to work. The hill tried its best to ruin the morale of the team, but our super positive Goodgymers saw it as a brilliant training aid.

Fitness session

Once we had completely smashed the task it was time to use the hill for some shuttle runs. Last week we focused on strength, so this week we got the hearts and lungs working with some 90% - max efforts. What a great effort from everybody.

We then headed back to base for stretching and back slapping.

Great work gang!

Next week we are meeting for our final group run before Christmas followed by a few shandies in the pub around the corner. Sign up here

GoodGym Sheffield is funded by Age Better in Sheffield in association with South Yorkshire Housing Association and the Big Lottery fund. Find out about the project here and sign up to visit an older person with GoodGym and end social isolation in Sheffield here

12 GoodGymers turned out to flyer drop in and around our start location at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane. Our group run took us from our start location through the streets covering roughly 4km. The warm up run was gentle and as social as ever. The group is becoming very close knit now and capable of anything.

The Task

The original task was cancelled at the 11th hour as the room we were supposed to be painting had not been emptied ready for us. We adapted our plans and went out doing some good old fashioned leaflet marketing. We delivered to most of the terraced houses in the local area. Hopefully we will recruit some extra Goodgymers to join our merry gang.

The Session

Once again we tackled the hill through Meersbrook Park. This week our focus shifted from cardio to muscular strength and endurance. The group stayed together on the first ascent and comfortably climbed the hill. Once at the summit we carried out some upper body exercises. We then headed down to attack the hill individually. Everyone put in a great effort and paced the climb perfectly. Awesome.

Then back to base

On arrival back at the hotel we did a number of further strength focused exercises, some stretches and called it a night

Next week we are heading over to Heeley city farm again to work on the kids play area. It will be a great task and we will have lots of fun. You can register for it here I love Sheffield

A huge thanks to everyone once again. We are a great little running community and it will only grow stronger. We salute you!!!

God bless Sheffield

18 GoodGymers turned out to litter pick in Sheffield City Centre. Our group run took us from our start location, over to the railway station, through the centre of Sheffield and down the Moor . We collected every empty can, take-away box and sweet wrapper we could find.

The Task

Quite a different task from the previous 2 weeks. It was a simple case of picking up as much litter as we could find to make Sheffield look as pretty as possible in time for the Christmas markets opening. Our loyal Goodgymers donned their gloves and got stuck straight in. We managed to fill 6 bin bags, despite some of the streets being actually very clean.

Session 1

On arriving in the Peace Gardens we spend 10-15 minutes doing some run drills to focus on running form. The main points were:

1. Ensuring body position is tall, head high, no hunching
2. No lateral body movement (side to side)
3. Heel kicks up to the rear - this assists forward thrust, increasing efficiency and speed
4. Knees are raised to the front
5. Elbows at 90 degree angle
6. Use the arms to help create force. pump those bad boys!

Session 2

Our second session was based in a semi empty car park where we did some interval shuttle runs. Despite the efforts being short in time, the intensity was extremely high and the group worked exceptionally hard. The sets were:

1 minute work, 30 seconds rest. 45 seconds work, 45 seconds rest at an increased intensity. 30 seconds work, 1 minute rest - all out. 30 seconds work, then finish.

Then back to base

On arrival back at the hotel we did a few upper body conditioning exercises. Tri dips and press ups, concentrating on form. We then did a thorough warm down and witnessed some unfortunate wind escaping from a certain person who was very embarrassed, but confident enough to style it out.

Next week we are back in to the digging and moving type of task. Over at Heeley City farm again. This time we are helping out on the farm by moving some manure. It will be a great task and we will have lots of fun. You can register for it here Fun at the farm

A huge thanks to everyone once again. We are a great little running community and it will only grow stronger. We salute you!!!