Exercise is one of the cornerstones of good health.  Exercise is a word that has many connotations depending on one's own experiences, culture and needs.  It can take many forms such as deliberate planned exercises, incidental activity, sport, outdoor recreation, individual or group activities, as transport like walking and cycling and many more.

So the thought of having to do exercise to be fit and well does not need to be negative or daunting.  The type of activity is variable and should initially suit your desire to participate.  Once you feel confident in your ability to have a go such as in swimming gently or walking along an easy path or doing a small number of deliberate core exercises you will probably develop competence and a sense of mastery.  Once the body responds positively and the 'feel good' effect is noticed you will seek more of this feeling and look forward to regular sessions.  People often ask how long will it take to notice the benefit.   Of course it depends on what sort of benefits they are seeking: cardio fitness; pain reduction; strength; flexibility; mobility of arthritic joints; balance and agility.

In most cases if the starting plan and then progression is appropriate the 'feel good' effect occurs fairly quickly - within a week or three. How do you know what is an appropriate starting level and rate of progression in terms of duration, frequency and intensity?  Some weeks or months later the question might be, 'how fit can I become?' or 'how can I maintain this new-found fitness with limited time?' and many other relevant and important questions.

The best and safest way to learn how to exercise or simply be more active is to see and Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) if you have medical or chronic considerations or an Exercise Scientist (AES) if you have no real physical disabilities or health worries.

For some great insights and readings check out www.exerciseright.com.au where there is free information written by AEPs and AESs

To all who come to Healthfit Exercise Centre
 
As you are aware there are many vulnerable people who attend Healthfit Exercise Physiology clinic. All staff at Healthfit are fully vaccinated. 
 
For everyone’s safety we will expect anyone attending small  group sessions at Healthfit after the Sydney lockdown ends to be fully vaccinated also. This will provide the safest possible environment for everyone to be able to recommence safe exercise with our pre-booked arrangements. 
 
Many of you will be very keen to return to the small group exercise sessions.  We will continue to keep these sessions to small numbers- mainly 3-4 people at a time and continue with the strict cleaning of all equipment after use (and before if you prefer).  Individual consultations will continue to be available.   
 
 
Healthfit safety precautions:

• Staff will inspect vaccination records on your return (electronically or on paper)
• Sanitise hands and Covid check-in before entering
• Please cancel your appointment if you are unwell.  Have a Covid test and isolate until you have a negative result or further advice from NSW Health.
• Masks are to be worn, including covering mouth and nose.  You can go outside for a breather whenever necessary.
• Cleaning equipment and surfaces after touching (and beforehand if you prefer) using the cleaning bottles and cloths provided. 
• Use sanitiser again after touching mask, using tissues and going to the bathroom.
• Maintain safe distance from other people (1.5 m)
• Windows and doors will be kept open, plus air conditioner when needed.

 
We’ll be in touch with you to confirm your appointment times as soon as possible once the end of the lockdown is announced. 
 
We hope everyone will be understanding and supportive of these arrangements.  Please contact us if you have any concerns.
 
 
Kind Regards
 
Jude Orphin
Client Management
Administrator
Healthfit Exercise Physiology Centre
8 Croobyar Rd Milton NSW
PO Box 159 Milton NSW 2538 Australia
 
Phone: (02) 4455 3063
Fax: (02) 4454 3617
Em: healthfitmilton@gmail.com
Web: www.healthfit.com.au
 
We at Healthfit acknowledge the land on which we work and live known as Yuin Country.
We acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians of Yuin Country, and the elders past, present and emerging.
 

 
IMPORTANT: This email and any attachments may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying and taking of any action based on the contents of this information, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by return email and delete the document.
​

There are now new limits to who can come to Healthfit as directed by NSW Government for the week starting 16th August 2021.  It is possible that the lockdown rules will be extended after this week too.

Only individual Accredited Exercise Physiology (AEP) and Dietician (APD) services are deemed essential and can be judiciously provided while we are in a lockdown situation.  

However, small group exercise sessions are now suspended until the lockdown is over.  We are sure you understand that this is necessary and thank you for your patience.

It is important to do daily exercise and we can at least do it outdoors within 5km of home and of course, inside your home too. Remember to keep a mask with you at all times when out and about.

If we have not contacted you individually and need more information please feel free to contact us or leave a message on 02 4455 3063.

​

If your inner talk is, 'I know I should go to the exercise centre' yet you keep having 'good excuses' to put the plan on hold, I encourage you to remember how you felt when you were keeping fit.   

We tend to act on feelings rather than 'should do's' and social expectations others place on us.  So, to remind you of how it might feel when you exercise moderately to vigorously twice a week here are common feelings:

• lightness
• refreshed mentally
• lungs cleansed
• agile
• strong
• happy
• flushed (in a good way!)
• balanced
• more confident
• and now cooler in the aircondition comfort

There's a lot of science to back up these good feelings too.
Our current centre users are actually enjoying the booked times as it keeps them coming frequently and reduces the excuses for procrastination.

We are still having only 4 centre users at a time which allows much more than the distancing rules stipulate.  Our clients tell us too that they feel safe due to our strict cleaning routines.

Come on, feel like you should!
By the way, the picture was taken pre-COVID and now there are only half that many in the centre at one time.

Firstly, we thank all our clients for helping us all get through what will be known now as the tough year of 2020.  We really appreciate the support we have received and particularly putting up with telehealth consultations when it was necessary and being ‘clean freaks’. We also value the opportunity to support your endeavours in being fit, healthy, strong and balanced in body and mind.

Our Christmas and New Year closing and opening dates are as follows:
Healthfit is closed from 6pm on the 23rd December and open for business again on 4th January 2021.

From the 4th to 9th January the limited opening hours are 10am to 2pm.  You can book your time or take a chance for this week only as numbers will continue to be limited as per our COVID safe plan.

From the 11th January onwards the usual opening hours are 9am to 6.30pm.

Since the COVID physical distancing rules still apply and are likely to until a vaccine becomes available all centre users must have pre-booked attendance times.  We are still very conscious of providing utmost safety against infection to protect you and our staff.

Our regular clients have commented that they appreciate the current system of booked centre use as they feel safe but also have had better adherence to the exercise sessions than they did when times were more flexible.
​
We hope you all have a healthy safe and happy festive season and look forward to seeing you in the new year.

We have been cautiously monitoring how our centre users have been managing safe distancing. As a result of great community spirit with safe centre use we are pleased to be offering more booked session slots.  Hour long sessions can be booked for a regular timeslot which will allow for appropriate physical distancing and our cleaning regime.

At this stage we are offering TWO sessions per week for each centre user.

The number of people in the exercise centre at any one time will be limited to 4 self-directed participants and 1 in a consultation with our staff. We hope you understand that these measures are temporary and necessary for everyone's safety and to keep our business viable on ongoing.

You may book by phoning us on 4455 3063.

Fees are $15 per session payable in advance for a four-week block.

Explanations are as follows:
 

• The fee of $60 for 4x1hr sessions may be paid by credit card on the phone, in person at Healthfit or online
• No refunds
  
• Extensions for missed sessions will be rescheduled at our discretion
• There are no exceptions or concessions to this flat rate as timeslots and spaces are limited
• You must not attend if you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms
• Arrive and finish on time to allow us to thoroughly clean the exercise centre after each session
• We expect you to continue to clean equipment as you use it 
• These measures will help us to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Thank you for your patience and effort in keeping our community safe.

Healthfit is gradually opening up centre use in small groups (2 people at one timeslot) to existing clients who are at low risk of COVID 19 infection and low risk of complications if they become infected.  

We are very mindful that most people are very keen to resume their programs.  If you are deemed low risk Healthfit welcomes you back from Monday 15th June!  If you are at risk you may be suitable for an individual AEP consultation. We are pleased to be offering limited exercise centre use by appointment only.  Hour long sessions can be booked for a regular timeslot which will allow for appropriate physical distancing and our cleaning regime. At this stage we are offering only one session per week to our loyal clients to help as many as we can and ensure the safest COVID 19 measures are managed. We are limiting the number of people in the exercise centre at this stage and will monitor how that goes before opening up more availability. We hope you understand that these measures are temporary and necessary for everyone's safety and to keep our business viable on ongoing. You may book by phoning us on 4455 3063. Fees are $15 per session payable in advance for a four-week block. Explanations are as follows:
 

• The fee of $60 for 4x1hr sessions may be paid by credit card on the phone, in person at Healthfit or online
• No refunds or extensions for missed sessions
• There are no exceptions or concessions to this flat rate as timeslots and spaces are limited
• Some of you may have credit from when the centre closed in March
• Our direct debit has been put on hold for the time-being
• Arrive and finish on time to allow us to thoroughly clean the exercise centre after each session
• We still expect you to continue to clean equipment as you use it 
• These measures will help us to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection.
  

Consultations with the AEP can be booked for people who are at low risk of being seriously affected by contracting COVID-19. Anyone who attends the clinic will be verbally screened regarding COVID-19 before acceptance.
We are continuing to stringently clean the clinic after each in-person visit.

Appointments for individual exercise physiology consultations are now also available through telehealth videoconferencing.  Phone 4455 3063 to make a booking and for information on setting up using our secure PhysiApp.

The exercise centre is currently not available due to COVID-19 physical distancing rules.

Online booking will be available in the near future.

Meanwhile try to stay healthy and fit. Keep in mind that fitness is multi-faceted and includes the components cardio, strength, mobility, balance, agility, coordination, and stretching.

Your individual home exercise program can be designed by Gregg Orphin our AEP.  You do not have to attend the clinic in person to make this happen.  Telehealth is simple to arrange and Medicare plans (bulk billed), DVA, Workcover, NDIS and some private health funds are now available for AEP patients via telehealth.

If you already have a home program you may be ready for an upgrade, make some changes.  The session with the AEP might include not only the physical aspects but also how to overcome barriers like amotivation, ideas on where and how to exercise, including your family unit and keeping it fresh.

We can use this time as an opportunity to discover new ways of exercising to improve our physical and mental health. Our immune systems are best supported by a healthy diet, adequate physical activity and sleep.

Get started this week.  Call us on 4455 3063 to activate your plan.
​

​Dear Healthfit centre users
We wish to reassure you that we are taking appropriate precautions to protect all users of the Healthfit Exercise Centre from the ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 virus in line with the updated advice from the government and ESSA.

• Please also read the blue sign re conditions of entry
• Our available space in the exercise clinic is 40 square metres
• To ensure safety for all there is a limit of 4 people exercising at a time
• Maintain a distance of 2 metres from other people at all times by using alternate machines – you may have to adjust your usual routine and wait outside or return later– we will develop a booking system

 
Thankyou for your co-operation in helping to keep everyone safe. Please see Gregg or a staff member if you want a home program or phone 44553063

You will notice there is a new sign at the front door:
NOTICE      Re  COVID-19
 

• Please do not enter if you have returned from overseas in the past 2 weeks, if you have any cold or flu like symptoms or been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19
• Please use the hand sanitiser provided at the front door and in the centre when entering and leaving and while using the centre – soap and paper towels also available in the bathroom
• Remember to clean the equipment as you go

  Phone 44553063
 
We have stepped up our cleaning regimes with increased frequency and are reminding everyone to clean the equipment as they go.  We also suggest you bring your own water bottle and towel or handtowel.
For people who have individual consultations, these can be held completely in the clinic room rather than the exercise area if you are concerned or also may be possible by telehealth.
Please phone us if you need further information.