In May, Lumo, which is part of VVO Group, and Raatamo launched a pilot to promote low-threshold outdoors exercise activities organised for residents. The so-called yard coach programme brings exercise as close to residents as possible by training residents to become specialists in close-to-home sports and by providing housing companies with shared sports equipment. The pilot was first launched in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
The first training for those wishing to become a yard coach was held on Saturday, 14 May, in Helsinki. There were roughly twenty participants, two of which came from Tampere and one from Pori, and the idea was welcomed very warmly. The efficient intensive course focused on useful basic sports information and skills. The course also gave practical instructions on how to realise exercise activities suitable for all in the housing company’s own yard. VVO Group provides housing companies with kettlebells, Nordic walking poles and other necessary equipment for outdoors exercise.
“At the kick-off training, there was lively discussion on the participants’ ideas about what the new yard coach programme could consist of. According to the participants, this is a new and different kind of resident activity that hopefully attracts also those who have not participated in resident activities before. The goal is to encourage people to exercise and to get to know their neighbours,” says Hilkka Honkanen, Helsinki Area Manager at VVO Group.
The topics covered during the training day included the effects of exercising, the basics of physical training and safety issues. The residents also learned how to organise diverse activities in the built environment and urban forests.
Joint exercise sessions in May and June consist of learning effective bodyweight exercises, Nordic walking and other exercises with Nordic walking poles, running, kettlebell exercises and cross-training.
Nice joint activities are also organised for yard coaches in the form of further training. The training is conducted by Raatamo, a company that is a multitalent in coaching and an advocate of the joy of exercising.
More information:
Pekka Kivistö, Customer Account Manager, VVO Group plc, firstname.lastname(at)vvo.fi, tel. +358 (0)400 948 750
Under the Lumo and VVO brands, VVO Group Plc offers versatile and effortless rental solutions coupled with an extensive range of housing services for different life situations. VVO Group aims to invest heavily in increasing housing supply in the next three years by developing new properties and buying existing properties.