19 April 2016

Get fit this spring!

| Alexandra Craig
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We’re now 11 days into spring and before we know it summer will be here. Many of us tend to be a little lazier than usual during the frosty winter months, especially in Canberra, and put on a kilo or two… or ten. By the time the warm weather comes along we’re all hankering to get out in the beautiful fresh air and burn some calories. But where is the best place to do it?

I love the idea of lacing up some rollerskates and going for a spin as Niki suggested, but I’m quite clumsy and uncoordinated so I went back to the drawing board for some more options.

There seems to be a new 24 hour gym popping up every month in Canberra, some suburbs boasting two or three gyms each, but the traditional treadmill and weights combination isn’t for everyone. And no one likes being in a sweaty, manky gym in the middle of summer. Gym memberships can often be costly with a join-up fee of a few hundred dollars plus the weekly fee and whatever else your gym sucks you into paying. Hate all this? I present to you outdoor training.

Outdoor training is the perfect way to get some fresh air, burn some calories, increase your Vitamin D intake, and most of all have fun.

There’s a fantastic brand new outdoor public gym at Crace Recreational Park, right near the basketball courts. It’s got about 8 different machines, all of which can be used in various ways to get a full body workout. Similar public equipment can be found across Canberra – Belconnen, Greenway, Ainslie, Yarralumla, and Weston all have public fitness sites. The full list of locations can be found on the TAMS website.

If you’re like me and require a little extra motivation, there are several outdoor training classes you can participate in for a fraction of the cost of a gym membership. All group training classes listed below are under $20 per session – bargain!

Funkshirnal Fitness – these guys are usually based at Crace Recreational Park at a variety of times on various days of the week. Jari and Shirley offer a great all round fitness class which incorporates boxing, rope slams and med-balls as well as the use of the gym equipment onsite. Group classes from $10. Shirley also teaches Zumba for kids at Latham Primary after school. Check their Facebook for more details.

Lionheart Fitness Club – Lionheart run group fitness sessions every Saturday morning on the beautiful Kingston Foreshore. $18 per session. The group often have a coffee together after the workout is complete, so if you’re after a boost in your social life as well as fitness, Lionheart may be a perfect match! Trish from Lionheart is also considering branching out to Gungahlin. More information can be found online.

Unleashed Aspirations – Nara runs lunchtime boot camps in Deakin (at the end of Makin Place) three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12.10pm-12.50pm. Perfect for those who are time-poor after work and on the weekend. Lunchtime boot camp is $10 per session. If you’re in the Yarralumla area on a Saturday morning, Nara also runs a boot camp at the oval. You can find out more on Facebook.

Pioneer Training – For those in the Tuggeranong area, Pioneer offers group fitness classes at Kambah and Wanniassa. Boxing on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings, X-Training on Saturday morning. $15 per session. You can visit their website here.

Happy training!

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I second Define Fitness. The sessions are much more than an 80’s Rugby League training sessions. The trainers are well equipped with various fitness qualifications and backgrounds. I have lost 12.4kg over the last year with them and have enjoyed every minute of their sessions. I am stronger and more determined than I have ever been.

Nathan, Seb and Maddi cater for the individual. Even better, kids are welcome and it is suggested by the trainers to bring them so you can be a positive role model! #definefitnessfamily

PickedANickname said :

Define Fitness offers great outdoor bootcamps and personal training. I have been training with the guys since February 2014. I personally love the Tough Enough session.

http://www.definefitness.com.au/tough-enough/
http://www.definefitness.com.au/

Ah, everything old is new again.

Looks just like a 1980’s rugby league training session.

Alexandra Craig8:35 pm 20 Nov 14

PickedANickname said :

Define Fitness offers great outdoor bootcamps and personal training. I have been training with the guys since February 2014. I personally love the Tough Enough session.

http://www.definefitness.com.au/tough-enough/
http://www.definefitness.com.au/

Looks pretty good, the Tough Enough session is a bit too scary and intense for me though I think 😉

PickedANickname3:16 pm 20 Nov 14

Define Fitness offers great outdoor bootcamps and personal training. I have been training with the guys since February 2014. I personally love the Tough Enough session.

http://www.definefitness.com.au/tough-enough/
http://www.definefitness.com.au/

check out the feature of Unleashed Aspirations in The Canberra Word of Mouth – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.980227428669629.1073741833.953166148042424&type=1&l=3f3255421d

The outdoor gym at Crace Recreation Park will be demonstrated this Sunday 21 Sept by a Club Lime instructor, so if you’re keen to give it a shot but want to get some advice on technique, how many reps to do, etc, this is your opportunity to get some expert advice, free.

FYI, this demo is part of a larger community sport and fitness event Spring into Fitness, which will also include free Zumba, Crossfit, Disc Golf, Croquet, and kids soccer, tennis and T-ball. More info here: http://www.cracecommunity.com.au/#!spring-into-fitness/c17cm

Alexandra Craig10:10 am 11 Sep 14

Mess said :

The TAMS website link is broken, but you can find the details here: http://www.tams.act.gov.au/parks-recreation/recreational_activities/fitness-sites

Thanks! For some reason the link works for me, but maybe it’s got something to do with browsers. Thanks for posting anyway 🙂

Holden Caulfield9:47 am 11 Sep 14

+1 for Lionheart!

The TAMS website link is broken, but you can find the details here: http://www.tams.act.gov.au/parks-recreation/recreational_activities/fitness-sites

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