Lunchtime personal training pilot gets results

In September In the Loop told you about ten UoN staff who rose to the Healthy Body, Healthy Minds challenge - a pilot well-being program run by NUsport and the University.

The refurbished personal training facility on Callaghan Campus was trialled by our ten staff who attended three sessions a week for eight weeks. Participants include professional and academic staff from a range of backgrounds.

Commitment = results

The aim was to increase the physical and mental well-being of staff who are mostly desk bound throughout the day. Lunchtime training is a great way to break-up the day and this pilot demonstrated that it can be as easy as booking a session into your diary to help you stay committed.

Initially, the participants felt that it will be difficult to commit to all three sessions every week. But, attendance was excellent! The friendships formed proved to be an important factor as they encouraged and supported each other along the way.

The personal trainers were impressed with the speed the participants picked up the program as they progressed from machine-based exercises to body weight and free weight training.  In fact, many are doing exercises they had never seen or heard of before!  There has even been a mention of clothes fitting better - a little looser.  Not a bad side-effect.

Here's what our staff said:

"Much more energy. No more 3pm chocolates and chips." (Clare - Facilities Management)

"It's great.  Will keep going after the 8 weeks." (Adam - Facilities Management)

"Excellent workout for the body and mind.  Great people and PT's." (Michael - Information Technology)

"First time group training.  PT has transformed the way I workout and has encouraged me to be more accountable with my workouts.  Great training staff have taught me so much." (George - School of Design, Communication and IT)

"Great sessions to break up the day.  Progressive instruction to learn the best techniques for exercise.  Thanks to the instructors." (John - School of Health Sciences) 

Participants also kept a blog about their experience to inspire the University community.

Participants were:

  •     Adam Masterson (Facilities Management)
  •     Michael Sargent (Information Technology)
  •     George Hyde (School of Design, Communication and IT)
  •     Mick Winterton (Facilities Management)
  •     Kim Buman (School of Health Sciences)
  •     Clare Nader (Facilities Management)
  •     Helen Warren-Forward (School of Health Sciences)
  •     Bronwyn Bloxham (Faculty of Science and Information Technology)
  •     John Tessier (School of Health Sciences)
  •     Yolanda Surjan (School of Health Sciences)

If you would like to know more about participating in future programs, contact Di Bunch, Safety and Well-being Advisor, Health and Safety.