The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Community Centre’s refurbished gym: An important addition
NOW that the festive season has drawn to a close, people start thinking of New Year resolutions, and for some the indulgence that occurred over Christmas will need to be addressed.
Others may want to participate in sports of some sort later in the year and may be considering starting a training regime. Others might want to get more aerobically fit. With this in mind, the annual ‘Operation Transformation’ will be to the fore in many people’s minds.
The Community Centre in Chapeltown has just completed a refurbishment of its gym. It has undergone a fit-out of the most modern user-friendly equipment and is suitable for all ages, genders and fitness abilities. Regardless of current fitness levels, the gym will have the equipment and a programme to suit all.
There are now state-of-theart treadmills; a cross-trainer; a sparc machine; spinning and exercise bikes; rowing machines; and a leg press, as well as other weight machines.
It also contains a dual adjustable pulley machine, which is like a complete gym in itself. There is a full selection of free weights; a smith machine and a power rack. There also exists a semi-private stretching area and light-weights area.
The Community Centre offers a range of membership packages: monthly, three- and six-monthly and annual, with concessions for the unemployed and over-60s.
The gym will also operate a corporate package, where five or more people sign up from the same employer and will also qualify for a reduced membership rate.
This gym facility is a vital part of the social infrastructure of the Iveragh area. It will serve as a great asset, particularly in the winter months, and membership is open to all over the age of 16. It will help combat rural isolation by providing a centre where people of all ages, abilities, genders and social background can meet and exercise.
The project is part-funded under the Rural Development Programme (Leader). The committee is very grateful for this and for all the assistance received from the staff of the South Kerry Deveopment Partnership in Cahersiveen.
The staff of SKDP were always most approachable and provided assistance throughout the process. Without their help, the entire project may not have been possible.
Gym membership should be viewed as an investment in one’s health.
At some point in our 30s, we start to lose muscle mass function. The cause is age-related sarcopenia. Physically inactive people can lose as much as three to five per cent of their muscle mass each decade after 30. Even if active, you’ll still have muscle loss. Studies show that regular exercise and an increase in strength and cardio fitness levels can help reduce the risk of heath concerns and diseases, including heart disease. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (type 1) and stress can also be alleviated.
Normal sedentary lifestyles, obviously, use the heart for daily activities but do not exercise it sufficiently to enable it to reach its full potential. If this lifestyle continues without fitness training, the heart is ill-equipped to perform above this level. The heart is a muscle, and like all muscles, unless exercised, will weaken.
According to the medical profession, the minimum recommended level of strenuous exercise is 40 to 60 minutes three times per week. However, it is important to start gradually and build on your programme. The benefits of regular and both physical and mental exercise relieves stress and increases positive thinking.
The gym is open from 7am on Mondays and Wednesdays and then from 9am to 1pm. It is open from 3pm to 10pm from Mondays to Fridays inclusive and opens on Saturdays from 9am to 12am and 2pm to 6pm.
The gym can be contacted on (087) 791 8188; e-mail at vcg@ gmail.com; or on face book at Vaentia Gym.