The third annual ‘7 Days for Fitness’ campaign takes place in Austria this month. An initiative of the local fitness industry, the aim is to get Austria fitter by opening the doors of health clubs for free for a week, with people encouraged to visit seven different gyms in the space of that week.

Around 400 clubs – more than 50 per cent of the Austrian fitness market – are expected to participate in the initiative, which takes place from 19-25 October. Forecasts are for more than 100,000 people to take part. In addition to free entry, participants will be put in a draw for prizes including a two-seater cabriolet and wellness weekends away.

“More people will probably become health club members as a result of the campaign, but the main objective is to help people realise how important fitness is in their lives,” says Petra Ofenberger, assistant CEO of The Fitness Company, which is co-ordinating the event.

Event sponsors include Technogym, Mercedes Benz and Red Bull.