Award-winning fitness collective GoodGym is coming to Brighton to replace treadmills with physical acts that aid the community.

Launched by social entrepreneur Ivo Gormley in 2009, GoodGym is comprised of passionate volunteers who do positive deeds through exercise.

Swapping gyms for city streets, members go on weekly runs and work on a variety of projects, such as renovating playgrounds and aiding homeless shelters.

On expanding the group beyond its London base, Mr Gormley said: “I’m very excited at the possibility of setting up GoodGym in Brighton.

“There’s a great energy about all the people who have got involved so far and I feel we’ll achieve something great.”

Alexandra Heminsley, Brighton Half Marathon runner and author of best-selling memoir Running Like A Girl, is leading the campaign to open GoodGym in Brighton.

The hardest thing about getting fit is finding the infrastructure, said Ms Heminsley, but GoodGym’s weekly projects keep members motivated and help them meet like-minded people.

She added: “People usually stay in their little social groups but this is about discovering a completely different side to your community.”

This approach to exercise has been a success for GoodGym. 

The chance to nourish neighbourhoods while shedding unwanted pounds has inspired more than 1,000 people to join the enterprise.

GoodGym is also dedicated to improving the lives of people who are sometimes overlooked.

Many new members are paired with a secluded elderly person, whom they visit once a week to help with errands and share a pot of tea.

Mr Gormley said: “Sadly Brighton is affected by loneliness and isolation as much as any other area.

“Many thousands of elderly people are left without visits from friends or loved ones for weeks on end.

“GoodGym can be an important contribution to making sure no one’s left alone.”

For its achievements, GoodGym won the Big Society Award in March.

Described by David Cameron as a fantastically innovative project, the group’s scope is rapidly increasing and Mr Gormley hopes to open eight new branches by the end of 2014.

100 runners have already signed up to GoodGym Brighton but three more founding members are needed before the branch can be funded.

To raise awareness and support, members are posting testimonials on social media about the goals they have reached with GoodGym. 

Like Ms Heminsley said: “It’s a feel-good thing. Running makes your life better.”

Anyone interested in joining GoodGym can read about their proposal and register as a member at www.goodgym.org/proposals/brighton.