Birchwood Park - H&F Newsletter - July 2023

A MESSAGE FROM...

Serina

This month marks six years for me at Birchwood park, so I thought I would share a little bit of infromation about my journey to this point.

I have been working in the fitness industry for more than 30 years and it all started in a small ladies only gym on the old Kent Road. It was a small and very personal environment and gave me the confidence and experience I needed to progress.

Southwark Council was where I gained a lot of experience. I started as a lifeguard/ gym instructor working at Camberwell, Dulwich, and Elephant & Castle pools and was there for six Years. In that time I completed my Exercise to music, Step, total body conditioning and Aqua Aerobic. I also completed my level three exercise in fitness and counselling qualification.

Looking for something different and a bit more variety in my week, I moved from Southwark Council and went to work for two different organisations. The first was a company that helped people with rehabilitation after prison where fitness was to give them confidence and a meaning in their lives and hopefully lead them on the right path. The other was the SRB Sports Development unit for Bromley Council, I worked within a doctor’s surgery at Tulse Hill, I assessed and guided patients in the right direction for classes Bromley run throughout the borough, including my own classes and diabetes watch circuit in Crystal Palace. In 2000 we moved from southeast London to Erith and I went to work for Reynolds for six years.

I was the studio co-ordinator for Reynolds and completed my D32 and D33 along with my Learning and Development level three. I became an assessor for the Exercise to music NVQ and taught 16 – 25-year-olds how to become fitness instructors. Wishing to move into management I went to work for Rowhill Grange Hotel & Spa for 10 years as their gym manager and completed my level three gym management course. Now, here I am at Birchwood Park which will be six years this month with you all and with the amazing team I am so lucky to work with.

Facilities Update

Changing Room Showers

We are still committed to completing an upgrade on the shower rooms and hope to be able to update you soon on this.

Gym Equipment Update

We are looking at further additions to the gym equipment and we have had discussions with various suppliers. This is a huge amount of money and as such we need to ensure we make the right decision on this. In relation to our current strength equipment, please see the guidance from our Matrix Service Engineer:

• I have spoken with the lead engineer of matrix this week regarding the cables on our machines and why we are experiencing some issues with them coming off the runners. He has advised us this is being caused by the weight stack being ‘slammed’ down. If the weight is not being controlled on the return, this then causes the tension on the cable to become loose and then come away from the runner. Often this can be caused by lifting too much weight or through an incorrect seat/pad set up. Please can I ask you to be mindful of this and do not slam your weight down. Your co-operation in this will keep our machines in service.

Continued on the next page

In August I will be holding a coffee and chat session

I will be at the seating area in reception if you wish to join me for tea or coffee and have a chat, I will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have, and all feedback will always be appreciated. Alternatively, if you just want to have a general chit chat with myself and other members then come and grab a coffee with us.

Monday 7th August @ 19.30 – 21.00

Thursday 17th August @ 13.30 – 15.00

August Myzone Gym Challenge is BINGO

Collect your Bingo card from reception and complete all the squares in the bingo card in any order you wish throughout the month, with prizes to be won along the way. If you wish to be part of our Myzone club and track your workouts and effect levels zone gaining points and badges you can purchase Myzone belts at reception.

Well done to everyone who has just reached their silver status: Carole Hewett, Steve Norton, Claire Davis, and Elaine Roles

Studio Two

We have now installed a dual reflective screen on the windows in studio two, this has an 82% solar heat rejection and a 99% UV protection so no more getting a sun tan whilst doing yoga.

You should feel the difference in the classes as the air con will not be working overtime trying to heat the studio, it also reduces the uncomfortable glare but still gives you the amazing view over the golf course.

Well done to everyone who attends classes, our no-show last month was 373 that’s a massive 21% improvement, this enables more members the chance to participate in classes.

A MESSAGE FROM...

Sandra

Six Weeks of Hoiday Fun

Summer Crash Course for beginners and improvers 7th – 11th August £60.00.

Rookie lifeguard 21st – 23rd August £69.00 8yrs plus and must swim a minimum of 50 meters.

New 12-week Swimming Lesson term starts week beginning 4th September £144.00.

All courses include badge and certificate. For more information and bookings please see our reception team.

Family fun time every day during school holidays, bring the family along to enjoy large pool floats and pool toys for all ages.

• Mon – Fri & Bank holiday: 09.00 – 12.00 & 14.00 – 19.00.

• Saturday and Sunday: 09.00 – 17.00

Floats will be available during family times when a lifeguard is on duty. Please note there will be limited pool space during aqua aerobic lessons.

Swim Tag Summer Challenge

This summer I have created a new challenge, ‘Kangaroo Island’ in Australia. The challenge starts on 24th July and runs until 25th September and is 330km.

Prizes to be won including guest passes, swim paddles and more. If you want to join in our challenge sign up to swimtag at reception. Swimtag is free to all our members.

Member Journey

My name is Penny Bennett, and I have been a member of Birchwood Park gym for around five years.

I enjoy various classes including Kettle Bells, Spin, Zumba, Young at Heart and LBT Gold. The hydro pools and sauna are great for me as post work-out therapy.

My daughter, Clair, regularly uses the gym and pool facilities too. Due to her Acquired Brain Injury, Clair has suffered for the last eight years from short-term memory loss and would never remember the exercises left to her own devises. Clair initially was not confident to use the gym on her own and needed support.

Thanks to all the staff at Birchwood Park who make the facilities accessible to Clair’s needs. Her class ‘members’ and instructors are particularly supportive towards Clair, which is very reassuring and helpful for us, as Clair’s parents.

She now goes every week and uses the cardio machines independently as well as attending some of the group classes.

Clair and I both benefit from our regular use of the gym facilities and really appreciate the friendliness of all the staff: front desk, gym, pool side, restaurant, cleaners etc.

Thank you so much.

Penny Bennett

A Polite Reminder

No mobile phones are allowed on poolside or in either indoor or outdoor R&R area. This also includes smoking or vaping.

Please take all phone calls off the gym floor. The club is an environment for all to enjoy so please respect our rules and respect the staff enforcing them.