Free Equipment to get Ravenswood active

Monday, 24 August 2020

Without a gym, walking around the block has been one of the only ways for Ravenswood residents to keep active.

Ravenswood Neighbourhood House manager Nettie Burr said this created a barrier to exercise for many.

"We want people to stay safe, and walking's not always what keeps people safe and makes people feel safe," she said.

"And if you're on the bigger side, it can be a little bit embarrassing to go walking around in the street."

From this week, exercise equipment has become available at the Ravenswood Men's and Community Shed - and it's completely free to use.

Ten free sessions led by a fitness instructor have also been arranged to help introduce residents to the equipment.

Ms Burr said it would be a major boost for the area.

"It's not just a gym either, it's a woodworking area, you can come and make things, you can sit and have a chill out, you can work in the garden, so it's just a beautiful place where you can meet new people, work out if you want to for free, and do as little or as much as you want to," she said.

The equipment was purchased using a grant from the federal government's Stronger Communities program, with a similar program also running in Rocherlea.

Healthy Tasmania managing director Lucy Byrne said it was an exciting opportunity for Ravenswood.

"It's one of the only places where you can have high quality equipment that's freely available to use," she said.

"Anyone can use it, but obviously we encourage them when they come up here to join the shed.

"They're all low impact pieces of equipment, and also the equipment was chosen after consultation with the community, of what equipment they wanted to use and what parts of their body they wanted to get stronger."

Click here to read the story courtesy of The Examiner Newspaper Launceston