New project gets physical

A new program aiming to increase the overall health and wellbeing of the community is coming to Rockingham.

Get Active Rockingham is an initiative designed to encourage residents to get physically active through discounted or free activities and the promotion of physical activity providers.

City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said being physically active reduced the risk of developing several chronic health conditions including diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke.

“We all know regular exercise can improve our health and wellbeing, but sometimes it can be hard to find ways to increase our physical activity,” he said.

“This program aims to offer people some new, fun and affordable ways to get fit; it’s also a way for us to support local businesses.”

According to the 2016 City of Rockingham Health and Wellbeing Profile, 34 per cent of adults are not active enough while 34.5 per cent of adults are obese and 40.6 per cent adults are overweight.

Body Prep is one of the providers joining the initiative and offers boxing, weights and circuits to adults and teenagers.

Body Prep owner Mandy Collins said it was a great opportunity to make a start at an entry level and to get the community involved in healthy eating and exercise.

“I really want Rockingham to be healthy — it’s so important,” she said.

“It’s about people enjoying exercise and sticking with it because it’s fun.”

The National Physical Activity and Sedentary Guidelines recommends adults aged 18 to 64 do 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous activity each week.

Adults 65 years and older should be doing 30 minutes of physical activity daily.