Public sector employees will be able to get a taste of military workouts for free after a tie-up between British Military Fitness (BMF) and Sport England-funded Exercise Movement and Dance Partnership (EMDP).

BMF and EMDP will work together to encourage group exercise by taking outdoor fitness sessions into councils and other workplaces across Greater London this month.

The offer is open to 20 public sector organisations on a first come first served basis. Each employer signed up to the scheme will receive two free workplace-based sessions over a two-week period to be delivered to a minimum of ten employees.

The free sessions will provide simple and low intensity group exercise delivered by professional instructors at BMF.

The initiative is part of a £250m five-year strategy to combat obesity in the UK. Initially open to the public sector, the scheme will be rolled out to the private sector, as well as nationwide.

Harry Sowerby, BMF managing director, said: “At BMF, our aim is to show that exercise is for everyone, not just the super fit, and it’s great to partner with the EMDP and receive the support from Sport England, who all share this common goal.

“We realise that those who are new to exercise might struggle with finding motivation, or be worried about being a beginner, so we are aiming to remove these barriers with our serious fun workplace offer. With two weeks of sessions offered absolutely free, we hope the offer will encourage more workplaces to make health and wellbeing a priority, and allow them to reap the benefits of healthier and happier employees.”

Jade Moulden, EMDP’s head of business development, said: “We’re so excited to be supporting BMF in this fantastic offer across London. At EMDP, our ultimate goal is to get the nation moving and we are delighted to work with inspiring partners such as BMF to help us achieve this. We’ve already had a wide range of fantastic companies sign up and we’re looking forward to welcoming even more workplaces on board.”