Head Fitness Trainer Parramatta Rugby Club

Race Director

Since May 1998, Ian Hollins of Gravity Fitness, has been providing Professional Fitness Training in Parramatta Regional Park, and specifically at the Old Kings Oval. With over 60 regular clients, and numbers climbing all the time, it would appear that Ian has struck a chord with the fitness-minded people who live and work around the Parramatta area.

The service provided by Gravity Fitness can be divided into three categories :

1) Private Fitness Sessions conducted at Old Kings Oval in Parramatta Regional Park. Currently held Monday 4.00-5.00pm, Wednesday 6.00-7.00am, Friday 6.00-7.00am and Saturday 8.00-10.00am.

2) Sport-specific Fitness Training. Current Head Fitness Trainer for Parramatta Rugby Club Premier Squad.

3) Team/Individual Endurance Race Organisation. Winter and Summer Series races are held in Sydney and surrounds at regular intervals throughout the year. Races feature running, cycling, mountain biking and/or kayaking.

Gravity Fitness caters to all levels of fitness and all ages. Sessions are constructed and organised in such a way that a relative beginner could train alongside someone preparing for a Marathon. The ages of the clients of Gravity Fitness ranges from 17 to 70 years of age, so all are most welcome. Perhaps the main attractions, however, are that the sessions take place in the very pleasant surrounds of Parramatta Park and the Old Kings Oval, and that a friendly and social atmosphere develops among the groups, something that may be lacking in the more intimidating atmosphere of a lot of gyms. Free parking and toilet/shower facilities are also available.

The clients who attend sessions with Gravity Fitness are getting a little bit more than just someone telling them what to do and how to get fit. All clients receive a monthly newsletter providing information on nutrition, fat loss, training etc. as well as interesting and motivational articles providing an insight into the philosophy of Gravity Fitness.

" I want people to be able to feel good about themselves. I want them to walk away from a session feeling they have achieved something. They are encouraged to set goals for themselves and to work towards them. It is the process of working towards a goal that is the real benefit of commitment to a fitness program. The psychological benefits of training and being fit are often more valuable than the physical benefits, but it is great that both things can be improved by having a go at training, and proving to yourself that you can be dedicated and committed. I also want people to have fun, to make a joke and to talk and laugh with the other people in their group. I have seen many strong friendships emerge from some of the groups and this gives me a real buzz."

Gravity Fitness provides the organisation behind some very exciting fitness challenges for the more dedicated trainer. Since 1998, Gravity Fitness has sponsored and trained teams of dedicated amateur athletes in entering the Jones Lang LaSalle Challenge, which is a two day endurance event involving running, cycling and kayaking, from Mt.Buller to Melbourne. In 1999, Gravity Fitness entered 4 teams, in 2000 five teams and just recently in 2001, a further four teams. The teams are complemented by a dedicated support crew of up to six people who also get a great deal of benefit out of involvement in this gruelling but very rewarding event. of three for the race (plus 4 support crew), with all teams finishing the course successfully. A great time is had by all with tremendous camaraderie developing among the teams. A member of one of the 1999 teams was a 56 year old gentleman who came down as a spectator in 1998, got infected by the spirit on show, and who at that stage could not run 200m without stopping. Twelve months later he was competing in the event, running 20km and riding 60km. In his own words : " It changed my life !". He is a great example of what can be achieved with dedication and determination.

Gravity Fitness also conducts its own team endurance events in and around the Sydney metropolitan area, either Duathlons (Run / Bike) or Multisport (Kayak / Run / Bike), with two series per year, a Winter Series from April to August and a Summer Series from September to March, with five races in each series. The highlight of the year will undoubtedly become the LAKE GLENBAWN CHALLENGE , which is a 2-day 6-stage endurance race featuring running, cycling and kayaking and was held for the first time in 2002 at the beautiful Lake Glenbawn State Park in the Upper Hunter Valley area of NSW. These events offer a tremendous focus for some people's training, and participating in them is a great way of experiencing the rewards, and the camaraderie, that working in a team towards a goal can bring. These events are open to people of all levels of fitness as each race is comprised of three running and three cycling legs, and laps within each leg can be shared by teammates depending on fitness level. Many people have participated in these races and been pleasantly surpised by what they could achieve in a friendly competitive team based race.

The overall aim of Gravity Fitness is to improve the way people look, feel and move. By offering a pleasant outdoor environment in which to train, and adopting a friendly and social attitude, a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere is able to be developed.

" I am finding that people are looking for a little more than the average gym can provide. People want to have fun, they want to laugh, and they want to reduce their stress. If going to training causes stress, then they won't go. I want them to keep coming !"

Please contact Ian Hollins for more information :

(Home Office) 02 9838 9585

(Mobile) 0416 080 098

(e-mail) gravfit@bigpond.net.au

www.oocities.org/gravityfit

" Earn it ! "

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