With wide-open spaces, a plethora of gourmet food producers and more than 20 boutique wineries, the Murrumbateman region is luring well-to-do families seeking that idyllic country lifestyle close to the nation’s capital.
According to the Yass Valley Council, the township is flourishing, with its population projected to grow from 4305 in 2021 to about 6500 by 2036.
Work is underway on the long-awaited $20 million primary school, and recent developments have included the Fairley Square shopping plaza, equestrian arenas and community sports fields.
And local residents will soon have a new state-of-the-art fitness centre to complement their healthy lifestyle when Elements4Life (E4L) gym opens its doors in November.
Gym co-founder and head coach Sebastian Ellis said the Murrumbateman region was crying out for a structured, functional training facility that was open daily.
“Murrumbateman has a reputation as a bit of a lifestyle epicentre, and I think people here are very aware of their health and wellbeing,” he said.
“We will be providing a holistic and genuine fitness solution that is missing in the town.”
Sebastian said with the region experiencing steady growth, and an influx of families, now was the ideal time to be opening a gym that offered a range of fitness options.
“We have a training system that can accommodate people of any age group, any fitness and any skill level,” he said.
“Anyone can come in and feel comfortable taking part in our functional fitness classes that are designed to unlock your true potential and promote better health, fitness and lifestyle.”
The smart gym will be decked out with a range of innovative cardio equipment, complete with advanced data-tracking apps that make people more accountable for their fitness levels and lifestyle choices.
Sebastian hopes the centre will become a lifestyle hub for the community, offering sustainable training options that residents will enjoy.
“In the past, people associated training with having to punish themselves to obtain a certain body image, but we’re about consistency and being part of a supportive community so members can enjoy participating and want to do it more often,” he said.
“This is the formula that we’ve been using at our Harrison gym for eight or nine years and it really works for us.”
As well as functional training, E4L offers strength conditioning, running development, personal training and a Just Gym service.
Sebastian plans to run regular workshops, challenges, programs and strength cycles to empower the community, promising greater connected training principles, coaching and results.
“Every challenge and cycle is different and we have applied over 10 years of experience into our science-backed methods. They are a lot of fun too,” he said.
“All our coaches and teachers are either qualified Master Functional Trainers (MFT) with a Cert IV or higher or have completed their specific training at a high level.
“They are trained to monitor and assess your technique, results and progression. This attention and focus facilitates your fitness success and personal development.”
E4L is a community-oriented gym and, while Sebastian is the business owner, he also coaches and runs classes on the floor, allowing him to get to know all the members on a personal level.
“There’s no degree of separation like the big gyms,” he added.
Residents will have an opportunity to meet Sebastian and his E4L team at the Murrumbateman Field Days on 15 and 16 October, and they’ll have an open day at the centre ahead of the November official launch.
Foundation memberships are now available at a discounted price and are limited to the 300 local residents.
If you’re ready to improve your lifestyle and be part of a unique community, take the first step and head to the Elements4Life website for more information.