With bright blue skies and a nice big group of us, we were all set for our monthly trip down to Doddington roof garden last night. We kicked off the night with strides. This exercise is 20 or so seconds of running, growing incrementally faster, and are a great warm-up to help get the blood flowing to your legs and your heart rate elevated. Wee did four sets of these, with some of the group opting to increase the intensity by including a bit of hill - great effort!

We took a nice steady run down to the garden, which is a huge space run entirely by volunteers for the benefit of local people, so there was no time to lose! Malissa met us at the bottom of the stairs, giving us our first job of bringing up some heavy tiles for use in the garden. We then took a whistlestop tour round the space, with tasks being given out as we passed the relevant spot.

There was loads to do, but the main job was getting the raised beds built up with top soil and compost so that vegetables could be grown. There are big plans to increase the produce, which will include carrots, brassica, potatoes, tomatoes and so much more, all to feed the community.

The place was soon a hive of activity, sped along by the discovery of a lightening quick way to crack into compost bags. No more fiddling with trowels and keys trying to break into the sacks!

The beds were filled, cardboard laid, compost shifted, and we even learned about a new planting process called the Milwaukee method. Every time we come we learn more and our fingers get just that little greener!

There was just time to shift that infamous marble table a few inches before we waved goodbye and headed downstairs for a fitness session that focused on glutes. That's right, it was all about that bass last night! We did sets of exercises focused on the major muscle group, which will not only help our form when running but prevent injury. Mixing it up between time based drills and reps, we gave those glutes and good work out.

It was also the monthly quiz last night - well done to our elite quizzing team!

Next week we have an earlier task at lunchtime helping a community association to empty and restock a storage cupboard. Hope to see you there.

We also have a really impactful mission coming up on 11th May to create a therapy garden at a nearby hospital for patients in rehab.You can find all the details and sign up here] (https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/support-a-therapeutic-gardening-initiative-for-the-rehab-ward-courtyard-at-springfield-hospital).

Have a happy week, GoodGym!

We packed so much into such a short amount of time that I'm not sure how we're still standing today! Don't believe me? Read on for a run down on our brilliant Monday night at GoodGym Wandsworth...

First we met and welcomed Chris to his very first session - brilliant to have you join us Chris, and we definitely appreciate your green-fingered expertise!

We said a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jordan, who got given the task of choosing the weekly question after our warm up. As it was Earth Day he went for a plant based one, and we all chose our favourite flower.

Then we had our run up to Paradise Cooperative garden, a beautiful space for local people to grow and for educational programs for children. We divided up into two teams - one to tackle the turning of the compost, and one to saw up wood into pieces that could be used on the bonfire.

There is zero wastage at Paradise, so the wood was going to be used for community bonfires and the compost, which was rich with all sorts of beasties, was destined to be spread on the flower and veg beds.

Jobs done, we then popped over to the common to take on the three minute plank challenge, before racing to a local restaurant to make our reservation for 2 for 1 burgers!

To finish off a very busy but very joyful night we were treated to the most magnificent three layer cake with incredibly special icing courtesy of super baker Catherine, and some squidgely fabulous brownies from Sophie who had also tracked down the burger deal and booked for us. Team work truly does make the dream work!

Next week we're back at Doddington roof garden followed by our monthly pub quiz. See you there. And another very happy birthday to Jordan (and Paul and Catherine for recent celebrations too!).

There was a bit of a party vibe in Wandsworth tonight. What with recent birthdays past and more upcoming, Jordan bringing along loads of plants to get into the ground at the GoodGym garden, Kevin joining us for his first group run and a discussion about our favourite crisp flavours, there was definitely a feeling of celebration in the air!

After a warm up we headed off on the run to the garden. We have been working here for the past few months, gradually turning it from an overgrown and unused plot into a space which will hopefully produce lots of nice things for us to donate to the kids' program at the theatre.

After a couple of wins at our local pub quiz we had some funds to plough back into the garden, and we made the decision to buy some plants. So into the garden tonight went potatoes, courgettes and more seeds to join the rhubarb, tomatoes and fruit trees already in.

Everybody mucked in with the trench digging, watering and sowing and before long the jobs were done. There was just time to pop over to the square to knock out a tabata workout which featured plyometric movements, jumps and power lunges. Great work everybody. We were blown back to base by the growing wind and finished off the night with stretches.

Next week we have a special birthday social after the run, so let us know if you can make it for for 2 for 1 burgers and more fun! We also have a whatsapp group where a lot of the planning happens so if you haven't joined already and would like to then drop me a message and I'll send you a link.

If you're planning on heading to the marathon on Sunday GoodGym has a cheer squad that could always do with some extra energy! Next week we'll be at Paradise cooperative garden followed by our social. Hope to see you there!

Last night we found out that Wandsworth GGers love to bake, go to the gym, crochet, cook and eat - that's a lot of different hobbies! But one thing we all have in common is that we love getting active and helping out in our local community. So, after our usual warm up, last night we headed down to the Venue community centre to lend a hand at Waste Not Want Not.

This organisation aims to provide local people with food that would otherwise go to waste, but with their usual hub out of action for the meantime, it has moved to a local community centre. They're struggling with a lack of resources and people to help out, so Hadas, the organiser, asked us to come along to give some support.

We started off with getting rid of the food which couldn't be saved, including several loaves of fancy bread. Then we moved on to the other jobs which included recycling, composting and clearing. We then moved on to the kitchen. At first look it needed a lot of attention, but we were not to be put off. Snapping on latex gloves we got to work wiping down sides, putting away pots and pans and clearing surfaces. It didn't take long to be able to see a real difference.

Hadas needs some help getting the area ready for a baking session for the blind on Thursday, so if you can spare half an hour on Wednesday evening doing a little extra tidy up, it would be much appreciated. You can sign up and find the details here.

Job done, we had the luxury of an inside space complete with yoga mats for our fitness session. So we went through ten different body weight exercises focusing on the major muscle groups building strength and conditioning. Unfortunately, while we were having fun doing glute bridges, crunches and planks, it had started to tip it down outside. So, with hoods up and fuelled by parkrun chat we raced back to base.

This weekend if you fancy a bit of fresh air and to help out at Doddington community garden, there is a community mission at 11 am turning over veg beds. Hope to see you there!

Next week we're back at the GoodGym garden to get busy planting seeds and potatoes - come and see how it is developing and turning into a lovely, flourishing space!

Wandsworth Council kindly donated 5 bags of high quality mulch to improve the the soil in the Wandsworth GG garden, so on Wednesday evening we got to work spreading and mixing it into the beds. Once the area was prepped and ready, we planted some new crops too - tomatoes, squash and even a couple of rhubarb plants, and gave them all a little protective house with recycled drinks bottles. And the best part was, the plants were all purchased with money won at the monthly pub quiz, our usual haunt for the monthly social!

It was great to see the fig tree starting to sprout a few leaves too - hopefully a sign that warmer weather is on the way and that the tree is liking it's new home.

We've got seeds to plant next, so keep your eyes peeled for a weekend mission some time soon.

Area Activator Ana took a very well deserved holiday this week, but not before setting up with a Monday night community mission, so the Wandsworth crew didn't miss out on their good deed fix!

This week Age UK Wandsworth needed our help and we got to work straight away, cleaning their fleet of 3 mobility buses and the windows near the building entrance. It was a little challenging in the dark (perhaps we could go back when it's light and a bit warmer!) but in true GG style we gave it our best and had fun in the process. Rather impressively we all managed to stay warm and dry too, with the exception of Jason and his soggy shoes - but he did a fab job as hose manager. Sophie, with her head torch, did a great job as quality controller took, checking everyone's handy work before we left.

After the task those who could stick around headed to the Latchmere for their pub quiz and an early social. Though we didn't maintain our winning streak, we did have a great time and came a respectable 3rd place.