Aerobics help residents keep fit

Every Saturday from 7am until 12pm people from a different area in the east of Ekurhuleni converge on a community centre to participate in the marathon.

Collen Mtshali from the Department of Sports and Recreation says the initiative was started last year to develop a culture of healthy lifestyles.

• Read: Aerobics to keep fit

“There are people who cannot afford to travel to town to be able to access formal gym facilities.

“They end up not exercising but through these sessions we get to introduce different trainers from different areas to the community members.

“They know where to go and all their gyms are less than R100 a month, which is cheaper than others,” he says.

Collen says that they are also trying to promote community gyms and support for local trainers.

“The trainers attend regular training related to fitness to equip them with training skills and accreditation.

“We are happy that many people of all ages are joining every week,” he says.

Community member Linah Skhosana (33) says that the sessions are convenient for her because she is not always able to go to the gym.

• Also read: DTCP hosts aerobic marathon

“I work long hours and am always too tired after work to be motivated to go to the gym.

“I started gaining excessive weight as a result but when I heard about this initiative last year I immediately joined.

“I don’t work on weekends so I make sure that I attend the aerobic marathon every Saturday because they are also free,” she says.

The next marathon will be held at Duduza Multipurpose Centre from 7am to 12pm.

For more information on this you can contact Collen on 011 999 8962.