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Health and Wellbeing Advice
Are you Green to Exercise?
March 16 2011 by Paul Pearce, STARplex Fitness Centre Manager,
NEXT time someone tells you to
“go take a hike,” thank them.
Physical exercise is well-known
to provide health benefits. There is also good evidence
that viewing and being in natural
environments has calming and
positive mood effects. Combine
them and you have ‘green’
exercise.
Short periods of ‘green’
exercise, even as little as five
minutes, are enough to make a
positive difference in a person’s
health. There can also be a big
benefit to spending all day
outdoors.
As a former school teacher, I
noticed the positive effects of
‘green’exercise were most
profound among young people.
They displayed a friendlier
attitude to each other and greater
energy with their academic
pursuits. With the added benefit
of improving their behaviour in
class.
It’s great to see the creation of
more planned, landscaped
outdoors space where people
can walk or engage in other
exercise. If more of us take
advantage of this it would greatly
benefit community health.
Exercising outdoors is easy and
provides a change of scenery.
There is no need for equipment
and even better, no driving time.
As a Personal Trainer, this
presents new opportunities to
challenge my clients with a range
of exercises andmakes them feel
“healthy”.
I must stress that the type of
exercise doesn’t have to be
strenuous. Walking, horseback
riding, gardening, biking and
fishing all enhance mental
health. And, perhaps best of all,
the effects are almost immediate.
Our local community is
wonderful for outdoor exercise,
with paths, trails, walking tracks,
parks and oval space, all within
easy reach.
It’s cheap. The whole family can
do it, no matter what age or
fitness level.
So why not go for a family stroll
after tea with the dog or dust off
the bikes and rediscover the joy
of quality time together outdoors? |
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| Profile |
Paul Pearce
Role: Fitness Centre Manager
Goals: To get as many people in the community healthy and active.
Career Highlights:
2005 Mr Australia
2006 -2011 Les Mills Asia Pacific National Presenter / Trainer in Bodypump & RPM
2007 Fitness Instructor of the Year
20 years experience in Teaching prior to becoming STARplex Fitness Centre Manager
Favourite Outdoor Activity:
Definitely Cycling |
| Also at STARplex |
Fitness Centre
Wellness Clinic
Swim Centre
Courts
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