Startups
Melanie Lovegrove, who offers yoga, meditation and fitness training, is one of the Dorset partners of Gift Fit.
Published: April 19, 2021 | Updated: 19th April 2021
It could be the best – and most important – gift you buy.
Gifting fitness.
So says Ali Sheik.
He’s the Co-Founder of Gift Fit.
It’s believed to be the UK’s first dedicated fitness and wellbeing gift voucher site.
Already 25 partners have signed up.
They offer a range of experiences, from breathwork and cold water swimming, to beach yoga, a cycling tour around the Purbeck, or an ‘Aquatic Bodywork Flotation Therapy’ session.
There are also classes with local experts including boxing, HIIT (high intensity interval training), golf tuition, football training and more.
It’s hoped to have 100 partners by the end of the year.
As with the launch of so many ventures, the idea for Gift Fit was born out of lockdown.
Ali, pictured, said: “Health and fitness has always been important, but 2020 really shone a light on people’s lives – be that too much focus on work, bad diet or lack of exercise.
“As Gift Fit, we wanted a way of encouraging people to try new things in the gym, outdoors, land or sea.
“It’s just about being active and having fun doing it.
“Experiences shape our lives and we want to help people discover new things.
“Finding the right birthday, thank you or Christmas gift can be hard work.
“More than ever people are more conscious of their physical and mental wellbeing.
“Gift Fit offers the perfect solution.
“Unearthing the very best fitness classes, outdoor adventures and wellness experiences – to gift to yourself, or a loved one – Gift Fit is on a mission.
“To inspire you to seek out new ways of becoming active and healthy, encouraging you and your loved ones to focus on your physical and mental health and embrace new experiences.
“Seeking out new fitness and well-being experiences has never been easier.”
Ali, 49, who lives in Bournemouth, is also the Co-Founder of Bournemouth’s Beach Yoga Fest and handles the sales and marketing for Poole company, Wraptastic.
He said the key focus of Gift Fit was:
Dorset partners already signed up for Get Fit include YRD 1 Fitness, Purbeck Bike Tours, HE Aquatics, E-Motion Fitness, Melanie Lovegrove, Ali Morton Yoga, Happy Gym. FTY Lab, Lynsey Suzanne Fitness and The Tattooed Golfer.
However, Ali said Gift Fit was looking to work with partners from all over the UK.
“The response we’ve got has been great.
“A lot of people we speak to are surprised that no-one seems to have done this before.
“Yes, there are companies offering experiences as gifts but no-one who is focusing specifically on fitness.
“We want to become a movement.
“An added benefit is the environmental impact.
“In 2019 the Plastic Collective highlighted that the UK produced an estimated £70m in waste as a result of unwanted gifts
“An international study also found that 76 per cent of people would rather spend their money on experiences instead of products.
“The latter is not only great news for the planet, but fitness, wellbeing and outdoor experiences can help kick start someone’s fitness journey.
“Whether it’s buying something different for Father’s Day, a friend who’s always wanted to try boxing, your Mum who might benefit from yoga or a partner who has dropped a few hints about taking up a new hobby – then the message is: Gift Fit.”
