Chelmsford residents got active outdoors in Admirals Park to celebrate National Outdoor Fitness Day.

British Military Fitness (BMF), the UK’s undisputed leader in outdoor fitness, held free military fitness sessions in parks across the country to celebrate the day.

BMF members and trialists also raised money for The Royal British Legion, a charity that provides help and welfare to the serving and ex-serving British Armed Forces community and their families.

Now in its second year, National Outdoor Fitness Day is designed to increase awareness of the various benefits of outdoor exercise and to encourage people of all ages to get off the sofa and get active in the great outdoors.

Recent studies have found exercising outside helps to decrease stress and improve energy levels to a greater extent than working out indoors and could even burn up to 30% more calories than doing the same workout indoors.

Harry Sowerby, Founder and Managing Director of British Military Fitness, said: “The second National Outdoor Fitness Day has been a fantastic success, with thousands of people across the country coming down to our free sessions and getting active outdoors and having fun.

"I’d like to thank everyone who got involved this year and hope that it has helped even more people to discover the many benefits of outdoor exercise.”

Louise Ajdukiewicz, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Royal British Legion, said, “We were delighted to work with British Military Fitness again this year across the UK to celebrate National Outdoor Fitness Day. BMF classes are a great way to keep fit, have fun and support the Legion’s vital work.

"The money raised will help provide practical help, advice and support to the whole of the Armed Forces community; whether it’s helping veterans to remain independent in their homes, supporting bereaved families; ensuring people have access to the benefits they deserve or offering employment advice.

"All the money raised will help us to continue this support and help us to uphold the memory of the fallen and support the future of the living.”

Established in 1999 with a class of just three participants, BMF now holds over 400 classes a week with 13,000 participants at 140 outdoor locations across the UK – and is passionate about encouraging people to see and feel the health benefits of outdoor exercise for themselves.

For more information about British Military Fitness, visit www.britishmilitaryfitness.com and to find out more about National Outdoor Fitness Day visit: https://www.britmilfit.com/what-we-do/NOFD/