Hooked on fitness

POSTED: December 08, 2009

Hooked on fitness

More than 100 fitness enthusiasts discovered different ways to stay in shape after participating in a free six week wellness programme in Perth.

The team challenge prize was presented by Prime Health to Rio Tinto City to Surf challengers for being the largest corporate team in the annual charity event.

Over the course of the programme, fitness fiends tried a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, offered at varying times and days. Over that time, boxercise classes packed a punch for participants who experienced the cardio exercise for the first time.

Wellness enthusiast and City to Surf marathon newcomer, Dirk Kotzee, had only six weeks to train before the event. He had intended to run 16 kilometres and walk the rest, but to his surprise he summoned up the energy to run the entire distance.

Dirk was in good company when he put on a pair of boxing gloves for boxercise for the very first time and became hooked on the classes. “It was great fun and very rewarding…exercising with others is a great motivator,” he said.

During the wellness programme, Dirk focused on improving cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and strength in readiness for his challenge next year - to compete in a road race.
For Mel Anusz, 2009 marked her second City to Surf challenge, running the 12 kilometre distance and performing far better than she had expected. Mel walked the challenge last time, but this year managed to run most of the course.

Like many people on the programme, Mel wanted to improve her overall fitness and she focused mainly on cardio work and tried boxercise classes, which she said she would like to continue.

“The yoga and pilates are great classes for lunch-time as they don’t involve getting sweaty, plus yoga is good for relaxation and a great break in the work day,” Mel said. She confessed her biggest obstacle to maintaining physical activity was getting up early to go the gym, but she was working hard to stick to a routine.

Other wellness participants commented on the high standard of physical and nutritional education and support, and said they welcomed the opportunity to kick-start their summer exercise routine.

Easy cook healthy menus were also provided, with the support of the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, available online.

Pilbara Health

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Hooked on fitness