David Marion coaches 64-year-old Christine Cochran, of Sorrento.
Andrew Ritchie                                                                 www.communitypix.com.au   d449506
Camera IconDavid Marion coaches 64-year-old Christine Cochran, of Sorrento. Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d449506 Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d449506

A fun take on fitness

Kate LeaverStirling Times

The class at the Northern Districts Gymnastics Club was started by coach David Marion after he noticed parents and grandparents waiting for an hour for the children’s classes to finish.

Mr Marion said the aim was to take a new approach to fitness and health.

“This class is a bit more enjoyable and less concerned about calories and machines and that sort of stuff,” he said.

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“We’ve seen so much improved balance and confidence as well as an improvement in general health and fitness.

“It’s become a bit of fun for everyone to learn some tricks and it challenges people in different ways to regular training.”

Mr Marion said that while many children did gymnastics classes it was not common for adults to continue with the sport.

“People think they’re too old to do gymnastics and they don’t have the confidence to just be able to have fun and play,” he said.

“I get people out of the mindset that exercise is a chore.

“You don’t have to drag yourself to gymnastics classes, you go along and have fun and get fitter and stronger while you’re at it.”

Sorrento resident Christine Cochran said she came across the class by chance.

“I was bringing my granddaughter here to a pre-school class for about three years so I thought rather than sit for an hour and watch her, this would be just perfect,” she said.

“I have always been reluctant to do sport; I’ve never been any good at it so this is a bit of a shift for me too to have the confidence to do it.

“Awareness of posture has been improved because as you age you tend to slouch and my lower back pain is really going away.”

Classmate Cynthia Oliver said many grandparents who did the class could now keep up with their grandchildren.

Visit www.ndgc.org.au for details.