Entertainment Swindon

What are the Longevity Games?
The Longevity Games is the brainchild of Tim Howe, someone that has been passionate about health & fitness and one day he sat down and thought about how he could help others to not only get fit, but to have ‘Longevity’ in life, to help the community at grassroots.

Speaking to Tim Howe, he said “I started the Longevity Games out of a passion for helping people, especially at the grassroots level. I’ve heard so much high-level thinking around fitness and wellness, but what about the average person? I believe fitness and well-being should be accessible to everyone, regardless of where they start”.

The Longevity Games was created to give participants a comfortable place to grow and progress. The Longevity Games are about more than just competition—they’re about building a supportive community where everyone can challenge themselves and enjoy the journey. It’s not about who finishes first; it’s about showing up, doing your best, and finding joy in the process.

Having been deeply involved in grassroots fitness groups for the last four years Mr Howe has witnessed remarkable transformations in people’s lives. These experiences have led others to frequently seek his advice and recommendations for reclaiming their health. Engaging in group fitness activities can be truly transformative, while working towards a specific event can provide powerful motivation.

Chronic diseases, such as Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease constitute a significant portion of primary care appointments. However, these ailments are largely preventable through lifestyle interventions. Prevention, as the age-old adage goes, is indeed better than cure. To relieve the escalating strain on healthcare systems, it’s clear a solution is needed. “The Longevity Games” are a series of events, competitions focused on promoting and celebrating longevity, health, and wellness. Participants will engage in various exercises and activities aimed at improving physical fitness and overall well-being with the goal of living a longer, healthier life. It encompasses a range of activities such as endurance, strength, explosive exercises, all geared towards enhancing longevity and quality of life through improved fitness and functional ability.

Background and rationale:
Engaging in regular fitness events can be valuable for inspiring people to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle, with organised competitive events serving as additional sources of motivation. Howe said, “personally, I have always been passionate about fitness, and participate in various activities, ranging from Parkruns, to ultra-marathons and triathlons”.

Howe went on to say “Following the Covid lockdown, a few like-minded people and I started group training sessions in a local field, carrying out a series of exercises in a circuit training or boot camp format. This has evolved into a community training group called “Training in Swindon”, with a dedicated Facebook page. This is a friendly, safe space where people of all levels and abilities are welcome to join.”

Join the Training in Swindon Facebook Group

The worldwide phenomenon of fitness races have become competitive and demanding events for people with high fitness levels and drive for success. As members of ‘Training in Swindon Group’ expressed interest in participating in these races, they encountered challenges such as high costs and limited availability of entries, often dominated by affiliated gyms who purchase 75% of tickets.

Reflecting on this, Howe began to envision an alternative approach that would prioritise accessibility and longevity throughout life, while still encouraging individuals to improve their fitness levels. This is when “The Longevity Games” was born.

Drawing from the success of the Training in Swindon group, The Longevity Games aims to shift the focus away from intense competition and towards individual capability. By alleviating pressure and encouraging participants to perform at their own pace, the goal is to support them on their journey from low fitness levels, potentially at risk of chronic diseases, towards overall wellness and disease prevention.

Concept of “The Longevity Games”
Founder Tim Howe, envisage “The Longevity Games” to be a series of community events held at a local running track. These events will require minimal equipment and will be open to individuals of all fitness levels, promoting non-competitive participation where individuals challenge themselves rather than others.

The core features of The Longevity games are:
● Inclusive – Novice, Intermediate & Proficient levels.
● Accessible – Using running tracks found in most major towns.
● Progressive – Encouraging participants to compete at their own level of ability – “your pace, not a race”.
● Supportive – Emphasising that fitness is a journey, not a destination, and health is a continuous endeavour.
● Prevention-focused: Promoting proactive healthcare strategies rather than reactive treatments.
● Measurable: Tracking progress is crucial for measuring success, motivating participants to improve and potentially lower their “physical/function age” with each event.

Ethos and Methodology:
● Remove the pressure away from specific reps and technique – aim for the same number of reps but at your ability. This approach, common in boot camps, encourages participants to return without feeling judged or incompetent.
● Inclusive – supports and caters to ALL abilities.
● Your pace, not a race

For more details and to get signed up to the next Longevity Games, click HERE.