RIGHT FIT FOR EVERYONE
A BREAKWATER gym is leading the way in inclusivity as one of the region’s only NDIS-registered facilities.
Fitness Advancement opened in 2019 and has since created a safe place for people of all abilities to train alongside university-qualified sport scientists.
Legally blind woman Linda Blaik said she was previously not aware of any gyms that catered to her needs in the central Geelong area.
“For me, I was having to travel to
Lara, and they are fantastic, but it was too far to go,” Ms Blaik said.
“At first I was sceptical, and I asked, ‘do you have anybody who knows much about working with blind people’.
“When I met my trainer, Jacob, he wasn’t overbearing, he just straight away knew how to interact.”
Since joining the gym, Ms Blaik said she had already experienced improvements to her health and wellbeing.
“As a blind person, I have trouble with balancing and in just a few weeks I have found my balance has definitely improved and that is a really big achievement,” she said.
“It is not only that, but the way the place is set up, they have private rooms so you’re not in the gym trying to get around all this gear as you work out.
“It is much easier and a lot less stressful.”
Gym owner Justin Cronin said he built his business initially with six personal training rooms in hopes of eliminating the intimidation people felt at gyms.
Mr Cronin has added a second storey to cater for the client list.
“When the client comes in, they get the same trainer each time, they meet them at the front and they go off to their room and that client will have a program tailored specifically to their needs,” he said.
Mr Cronin, who has a background in social work, said it was important to make sure everyone had the opportunity to experience the mental, physical and social benefits of exercise.
“For me, I realised the importance of exercise and mental health … and I am proud to think of the people we have been able to help,” he said.