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Canberra Today 20°/24° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Now’s the perfect time to make a positive change

Whether it’s a new exercise regime or taking better care of our general health, the new year is the right time to create positive changes that go the distance. In this sponsored post you’ll find out how.

Welcome to 2020! Whether it’s embarking on a new exercise regime or taking better care of our general health, a new decade is the perfect time to create positive changes that go the distance.

“CityNews” speaks to a few experts to get their tips on creating a new you in 2020.

Personal trainer is a good start

MANY of us make new year’s resolutions to get fit and healthy, according to EVO Health Club manager Cindy Hansen, and engaging a personal trainer can be a good place to start.

“Exercise is something we can and should make time for, and can change someone’s life,” says Cindy.

Bodies are made to move, according to Evo Health Club, and going to the gym should bring people life satisfaction beyond fitness goals, extending into an active life and a sharper, fitter mind.

Goals to get fit and tone up can be supported by a personal trainer, says Cindy.

“We have five personal trainers who can help clients meet their fitness goals. One is a pro boxer, so she’s very experienced in the area,” she says.

Clients can receive a full assessment of their physical, mental and life strengths and needs, before implementing a training program.

Located at Hotel Realm, EVO Health Club uses Technogym equipment, has a 25-metre heated pool, sauna, steam room and spa.

“Our expert personal trainers and strength and conditioning coaches are engaged, knowledgeable and ready to guide you along,” the club says.

“We focus on your abilities and take account of where you need development.”

EVO Health Club, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton. Call 6162 0808, email workout@evohealthclub.com.au or visit evohealthclub.com.au

Helping babies make a splash

SWIM-school operators Aquatots is overhauling its programs and heading into 2020 with refreshed classes and a new pool at Forde, says Alena Sarri, the founding director.

“We’re so excited about the new pool at Forde, which has an area that’s specially designed for babies,” she says.

“It has different depths, with a teaching ledge and a splash section. Babies learn and retain information so much better when they can explore for themselves, and this pool was designed with them in mind.”

Alena says Aquatots is updating its additional needs and baby lessons following the latest recommendations from a recent conference.

“We want to continually provide the latest information and be on top of the world game,” she says.

The 25-metre pool and splash park at Googong has also proved popular over the summer.

All Aquatots’ classes are led by highly qualified teachers who mostly hold AUSTSWIM and Swim Australia awards.

“We also offer special-needs programs, aqua aerobics, teenage classes and an all-women’s class,” she says.

Aquatots specialises in teaching infants to swim and caters for all children aged from six weeks through to swim squad level.

Classes are held in four locations, including Club Googong, Black Mountain School in O’Connor, Gold Creek Country Club and its own facility in Forde.

Aquatots Swim Centre, Beltana Avenue, Googong. Call 6162 0507 or visit
aquatots.com.au

Dr Natalie Boulton and Dr Richard Evans of Holt Medical Centre.
Dr Natalie Boulton and Dr Richard Evans of Holt Medical Centre.

Quality care and the time to listen

IT’S important to take care of yourself, and to have an awareness and understanding of your baseline health, say Holt Medical Centre owners Dr Natalie Boulton and Dr Richard Evans.

They say the centre offers quality GP health care to all patients, including baby health checks, immunisation, women’s and men’s health, GP shared pregnancy care, mental health care, skin checks, minor surgical procedures, travel health and vaccination, veteran health care, DVA claims, and bulk billing for children up to age 16 and DVA card holders. Reduced rates are available to Health Care and Pensioners Card holders.

The Holt Medical Centre has a family focus, with each appointment having a holistic, personal and friendly feel.

“The team at reception enjoys getting to know our patients,” says practice manager Stephanie Sjollema.

“We have an in-house nurse able to check blood pressure and carry out other health assessments as needed.”

Through their practice, Dr Boulton and Dr Evans are invested in staying in the suburb of Holt long term. They describe it as a private-billing practice with traditional values and quality care.

Both Dr Evans and Dr Boulton completed their studies at the Australian National University while serving in the military.

The practice works with Defence families, with an understanding of the needs and requirements of service life and being a service person’s spouse.

Dr Boulton, who is backed with 25 years’ experience in the Navy, and Dr Evans, who has 30 years’ experience in the Army, are able to navigate the Department of Veterans’ Affairs system with ease, as well as assist with all general practice issues.

The key focus for the practice is having a face-to-face relationship with patients and taking the time to listen.

Holt Medical Centre, 8 Holt Place, Holt. Call 6254 3324 or visit holtmedicalcentre.com

When exercise is all about the New ME

ARTHRITIS ACT has launched a new program called New ME, says CEO Rebecca Davey – with the ME standing for My Exercise. 

“We recognise that exercise isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that people all have different requirements,” says Rebecca.

“We all need help with tackling problem areas but everyone has their own goals and health needs.

“That’s why we created this program, where participants can come in, get assessed by either a physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist and receive a program to follow that suits them.”

Rebecca says the program is for anyone who wants to look after their health, and is open to all ages, whether they have arthritis or not. It’s a continuous, ongoing program designed to suit the individual.

“Some people will want classes, others will be self-led and some will see our practitioners several times,” Rebecca says.

Arthritis ACT runs hydrotherapy classes out of two pools at the University of Canberra, as well as other classes north and southside, some of which are subsidised.

Rebecca says the team provides up-to-date and extra information pertinent to those who need it and encourages people to give the Arthritis ACT team a call.

“The New ME program is flexible and saves people having to locate different providers,” says Rebecca.

“Whether you have back, shoulder, neck pain or sore hands and feet, or just want to be healthier, this program covers everyone.”

Arthritis ACT, Building 18, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041, email info@arthritisact.org.au or visit arthritisact.org.au

Felicia Darbyshire-Pirie of Pilates Centre Canberra.
Felicia Darbyshire-Pirie of Pilates Centre Canberra.

Pilates teaches confident movers

PILATES can be considered a cross-partner with any body conditioning modality, says Felicia Darbyshire-Pirie of Pilates Centre Canberra.

“It can support any other exercises, makes people feel good and gets the body working, whether they are fit already or deconditioned from lack of exercise,” Felicia says.

Felicia has been teaching Pilates for 13 years and says she discovered a love for it at a point in her life when she was fit and keen to have a go at any new exercise.

“I discovered that when you have a properly trained instructor you get very skilful teaching, backed with reasons why you are doing a particular exercise.

“With Pilates, you should always be able to ask your instructor why and learn the reasons, it’s so important to get the exercises right.”

Felicia says she loves the sense of achievement she gets when meeting the physical challenges.

“It’s physically hard, so when you get it right it’s a huge personal accomplishment,” she says.

The Pilates Centre Canberra is also a host site for BASI, the world-leading Pilates instructor training school.

“The course is very personally rewarding, but not nearly as rewarding as working in the industry!”

The Pilates Centre Canberra, 58 Colbee Court, Phillip. Call 6162 1793.

Resistance training to stay strong

Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Phil Aubin.
Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Phil Aubin.

CANBERRA’S largest orthopaedic practice, Orthopaedics ACT, has been helping people live an active life since 2013, says practice manager Deborah Henry.

One way to help people maintain strength and mobility is resistance training, advises sport and exercise physician Dr Lari Trease and orthopaedic surgeon Dr Phil Aubin.

“It’s helpful to do resistance or strength-based exercises twice a week, like circuit or balance classes,” says Dr Trease.

“The Australian movement guidelines include ideally moving for 30 minutes, five days a week, but this can be in efforts as short as 10 minutes at a time.

“It could be gardening, housework, taking the stairs instead of the lift or getting off the bus one stop early.”

According to Deborah, Orthopaedics ACT brings together the skills and expertise of seven surgeons, one sport and exercise physician as well as a clinical nurse who work as a team with a number of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy providers to keep patients as active as possible.

For people with early arthritis, Dr Aubin and Dr Trease say Orthopaedics ACT recommends an exercise program called GLA:D, which is run by physiotherapists and strengthens the knees and hips, and can reduce pain and medication requirements.

When necessary, whether due to age, trauma or sporting injuries, Orthopaedics ACT can improve quality of life through surgical intervention.

“Whether minor or major surgery, it’s aimed at allowing our patients to resume a healthy, active lifestyle,” says Dr Aubin.

“Having seven surgeons means we have all parts of the body covered, head to toe. We don’t just fix bones, we fix people.”

Orthopaedics ACT, Woden Specialist Medical Centre, Level 2, 90 Corinna Street, Woden. Call 6221 9320 or visit orthoact.com.au

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