Press Release: 19th May 2013
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Forget Gym Membership - Get Gardening Instead
It’s a fact - spending an hour in the garden will help you burn up to 100 more calories than working out in the gym for the same amount of time.
Hozelock, the UK’s leading supplier of gardening products, reveals latest *research that proves physical activity such as gardening, has many health and weight loss benefits which surpass those gained from attending a gym.
So, in a move to get the nation fit and healthy Hozelock has launched its ‘Gardening ForLife’ campaign by teaming up with celebrity gardener David Domoney and exercise & health scientistDr Julie Alexander-Cooper.
Marc Ballu, CEO of Hozelock explains: “This new research proves what we've always suspected: gardening is a great way of keeping fit and active, both physically and mentally. It's great to know a hobby enjoyed by so many millions of Britons is also fantastic for their health and wellbeing.
“Our‘Gardening For Life’ campaign is all about encouraging people to get outdoors roll up their sleeves and get out into the garden. Over the next few months we’ll be sharing top tips on how to shape up and feel good – for free – this summer.”
David Domoney adds: “There are so many health benefits to be gained from gardening. From losing weight to improving overall levels of wellbeing. For instance, simply watering your garden will aid relaxation, whereas digging the soil releases bacterium which can help boost a person’s immune system and even help ease depression.”
“It’s great to be working with Hozelock on such an important health issue and involved in an activity which is close to my heart.”
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As part of the ‘Gardening For Life’ campaign Hozelock along with David Domoney and Dr Julie Alexander-Cooper will be releasing regular gardening tips which will not only help people get fit and healthy but their gardens too.
Subjects covered will include:
- How to improve your overall vitality by growing your own fruit and vegetables
- Work out your upper body and your garden at the same time
- Stretch and get flexible without the gain or pain
To help kick start the ‘Gardening For Life’campaign David Domoneyhas FIVE easy workout solutions that everyone can try in their own gardens.
- Undertaking moderate activity two to three hours a week, people can lose up to 1lb of weight in just seven days.
- Watering the garden will create a sense of tranquility which can help ease stress levels.
- 10-20 minutes of gardening a day will help top up people’s vitamin D, improve their mood and reduce stress. It will also help to maintain bone density, tone up & manage weight.
- Alternatively, two to three longer sessions of gardening a week will look after the figure whilst having fun at the same time.
- Become even healthier by growing and eating your own delicious fruit and veg. Carrots, tomatoes and strawberries are all high in beta carotene and are known as the ‘happy’ fruit as these foods naturally boost the immune system and are easy to grow in the back garden.
David Domoney concludes: “So instead of joining the gym to get fit and lose weight this summer, save money and make the most of the garden.”
Further information on Hozelock’s ‘Gardening For Life’ campaign is available at
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Notes to editors
*Research conducted by Loughborough University nutritionist exercise & health scientistDr Julie Alexander-Cooper2012.
For more information on Hozelock’s ‘Gardening For Life’ campaign including images and interviews please contact Louise Bucknall on 01676 526 885/ 07816 516 516 or Sheridan Okey at Cogent Elliott on 0121 627 5040 or email /.
About Hozelock
Hozelock was founded in 1959 and is a leading European manufacturer of gardening products. Its annual turnover is £100m and it has 500 employees. With over half a century of horticultural expertise, Hozelock understands the rewards of gardening and continue to manufacture leading product ranges from the UK. Designed by gardeners for gardeners, Hozelock’s innovative products are developed following on-going research and feedback from consumers every step of the way.
Hozelock manufactures a comprehensive range of gardening products that cover: garden watering, garden pressure sprayers, pond equipment and high pressure cleaners. It sells in 40 countries and is the market leader in the UK, Scandinavia, the Baltic countries, Belgium and Russia, while it is also the number one for hoses and hose systems across the rest of Europe.
About David Domoney
Currently David co-presents with Alan Titchmarsh the biggest viewing Garden Television show in Britain today. ITV1’s Love Your Garden which peaked this year with 4.6 Million viewers and has re commissioned for a new series for 2013.
He has also has been the resident gardener on ITV’s This Morning, 60 Minute Makeover & Channel 5’s Garden ER series and is Garden columnist for the Sunday People Newspaper.
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Winner of 27 RHS Medals and 2 Best in Show category trophies, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Horticulture & non exec Director for the RHS commercial board. David pioneered the London launched Ideal Home Show “Young Gardeners of the Year Annual Competition” through his association with the HRH Prince of Wales & the Princes Foundation for the Built Environment at Earls Court.
Outside gardening David is a motorcyclist with on his V800 Vulcan motorbike. He is a PADI Qualified ‘Master Scuba Diver’ and has a farmhouse and working olive grove in Italy.
He is also listed in Wikipedia
Profile –Dr Julie Alexander-Cooper
PhD, MSc, Dip.L.C., Cert. L.C., Fryog, YMCA, RSA, MBBO, MBASES, MASO
Julie is a highly respected and qualified exercise & health scientist, who has been actively involved in exercise, health and nutrition for over 20 years. She has helped many individuals reach their goals with programmes that are holistic and take into consideration each person's wellbeing and lifestyle.
Her passionate interest in exercise, health and wellbeing has gained her a wealth of experience within the industry and has led to her providing physiological, psychological and nutritional advice to thousands of individuals, health organizations, businesses and universities.
Julie has been invited to present at several national and international conferences, on physical activity, weight management and health. She has also contributed to various media publications and has appeared on national TV and radio.
Past and present clients include Champneys Health Club, Fitness for Industry, NHS, DESMOND, FRYOG, Harrods, London Chamber of Commerce, The Foreign Office, Warwick, Coventry, Luton, Nene and City Universities and Weight Watchers, along with a number of leaders in business, industry and entertainment.
Further information is available on