Checkmate: A Men’s Mental Health Hub

03/11/2026

Harry and the lads at 6 a side tonight. ⚽️

Well done boys 👏

Onto the weekend for our match against Shine Bright FC should be a cracking game good luck to both sets of men!

8 lads are also going to Ellerton lake on Sunday for The Conscious Self sauna and swim,always a great look out and amazing for our mental well being 🥶 🔥

03/11/2026

CHECKMATE WEEKLY 💪

DAY 2: WEIGHT TRAINING

Weight training isn’t just about building muscle. Research suggests it can also help improve symptoms of depression, alongside its many physical health benefits.

There are different ways to approach weight training, depending on what you want to achieve.

1. STRENGTH TRAINING

The aim is to get stronger and improve how much weight you can lift.

This usually involves heavier weights, controlled movements and longer rest periods between sets.

Exercises might include squats, deadlifts, bench press and overhead press.

You don’t need to test your maximum lift every session. Focus on good technique and gradually increasing the weight as you get stronger.

2. HYPERTROPHY TRAINING (BUILDING MUSCLE)

Hypertrophy simply means increasing the size of your muscles.

This style of training usually involves moderate weights, multiple sets and controlled repetitions.

The aim is to challenge the muscles enough to encourage growth, while gradually increasing the work you do over time.

You don’t have to lift the heaviest weights in the gym. Consistency, good technique and appropriate effort matter.

3. FULL-BODY TRAINING

If you don’t have a specific goal, or you’re just getting back into the gym, full-body training is a straightforward option.

Rather than splitting your workouts into separate muscle groups, you train your whole body in one session.

A session could include:
• Squats or leg press
• Chest press
• Seated row
• Shoulder press
• Lat pulldown
• An exercise for your core

Start with manageable weights and focus on learning the movements. Two or three sessions a week can be a good starting point, with time to recover between sessions.

WHAT ABOUT MENTAL WELLBEING?

Weight training can provide structure, measurable progress and a sense of achievement. Research also suggests it may help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.

You don’t have to follow a complicated programme or spend hours in the gym. Find an approach that suits your goals, ability and schedule.

If you’re stuck and unsure what to do in the gym there are thousands of videos on YouTube for any kind of workout.

In the comments below here is a short clip of Ross edgley and Andrew Huberman talking about how strength training positively impacts your endurance.

Stronger Men. Better Lives.

02/11/2026

CHECKMATE WEEKLY 💪

This is our new daily series, where each week we’ll focus on a different topic to help people learn more about looking after their mental health.

This isn’t medical advice. It’s about sharing lived experience, useful information and things that might help us make positive changes in our lives.

At Checkmate, we already do lots of sports and group activities, but we want to take things a step further by helping people learn more about the things that can support their mental wellbeing.

This week, we’re talking about exercise and mental wellbeing.

We all know exercise is good for our physical health, but did you know it can also play an important role in looking after our mental health?

Research shows that regular physical activity can help improve mood, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and support better sleep.

And no, we’re not saying you need to spend hours in the gym or run a marathon to feel the benefits.

It could be lifting weights, going for a run, taking a walk or simply getting outside and moving a bit more.

Over the next week, we’ll be looking at the different ways exercise can benefit us, what the research says, and some simple ways to get moving, whatever your current fitness level.

The aim isn’t to become an athlete overnight. It’s about finding something that works for you and taking small steps towards a healthier life.

In the clip Joe talks about exercise being a pill and if you could take a pill that would alleviate anxiety, stress and depression with no side effects, we would all take that pill. It really does work, it won’t fix your problems but it gives you that respite and the mental tools to face them head on. 💪

Let’s start with a question.

What’s your favourite way to stay active? And if you’re someone who struggles to get motivated, what’s your biggest barrier to getting started?

Let’s hear from you. 👊

Stronger Men. Better Lives.

31/10/2026

Our first boxing session this morning 🥊

This is going to become a regular fixture for Checkmate, and we’re buzzing to get it going!

Massive thanks to Regan for putting us through our paces with a boxing session followed by some strength and conditioning circuits to finish us off. You forget just how hard something is when you haven’t done it for so long 😂

This was something we wanted to introduce right from the start, but the right opportunity hadn’t come along until now. Great to finally get it up and running, and we’re looking forward to building on it from here.

Next session Sunday 15th November 9:30/10:30 Seconds Out Boxing Academy

Stronger Men. Better Lives. ♟️

27/10/2026

Cracking game tonight boys! 💥 ⚽️

New session starting this weekend, it’s something we’ve been looking to do for a while now so come on down for a taster session at Seconds Out Boxing Academy.

This Saturday 9:30/10:30am come down and get put through your paces. 🥊

Drop us a message or just turn up you’re all welcome!

Stronger Men. Better Lives.

20/10/2026

Cracking game tonight lads at 7 a side ⚽️

A couple of New faces showing up again and some really good football played, well done lads 👏

Anyone who want to come along don’t be scared to drop us a message. You’re always welcome at checkmate , any event , any time . 💪

Stronger Men. Better Lives.

18/10/2026

Saturday night padel 🎾

A couple of new faces last night and Some really good padel played aswell, well done everyone.

Big thanks to Debbie who stepped in last minute from a separate padel group. 👏 well played!

13/10/2026

Class turn out as usual for our weekly 6 aside👏🏻

Some absolutely cracking football been played tonight with plenty of laughs which is what it’s all about!⚽️
Anyone interested in coming along on a Tuesday night feel free too drop us a message and we can get you added into the WhatsApp community!

11/10/2026

Tough mudder x2 complete!! 💥 👊 💪

Well done lads, great effort in the cold weather this morning. 🥶

Days like this are great for digging deep and getting through a tough challenge so you should all be proud 😊

Also it’s a sad day today for us at checkmate as it would have been Luke’s 32nd birthday today, RIP brother rest easy. 💙

Please reach out if you’re feeling like there’s no way out, there’s always a brighter day.

Stronger men. Better lives.

10/10/2026

Lovely thing to do for us Kirsty Newton at Hays Travel
Such a a good feeling when people from the community reach out wanting to help out.

If anyone wants a number for this draw comment on the original post.

🔹️ Winner - Janet Curry 💸🔹️

⚽️ 🫶 I am doing a fundraiser for a charity local to me - Checkmate: A Men’s Mental Health Hub for World Mental Health Day - 10th October 26!

✨️ This charity encourages men to talk.

✨️ It brings people together through activities and events.

✨️ Supports people who are struggling find appropriate support and reminds them that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness!

✨️ Raises awareness and challenges the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.

✨️ Promotes early conversations and encourages people to check in on friends who may be struggling.

⚽️ Teams are £2, the proceeds will be split £100 for the winner, and £100 for the charity.

👇 If you'd like to play along the teams are in the comments and i will put your name beside them. I will pop you a message with how to pay, and payment would be required immeadiately.

⚠️ Please be aware of scams: you will never be asked to follow any other accounts, click on suspicious links, or provide personal details outside of this competition.