18
THE VILLAGE NEWS
31 March 2021
MY WELLNESS
Exercise smarter, not harder, with Studio Health
E
xercising has many physical health benefits which include losing excess weight, improving bone and joint strength, improving circulation, and maintaining physical resilience. But it also assists in boosting and maintaining mental health. Living through the pandemic and having to adjust to a new normal has resulted in high levels of psychological distress worldwide, causing a historic rise in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Physical exercise plays a vital role in improving mental health by reducing mental fatigue and releasing endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevator. At Studio Health in Hermanus, Leigh Murray and her team focus on improving quality of life (physically and mentally) through exercise, helping to keep people able and independent into their senior years, and assisting people of all ages to make lifestyle changes for better health which they may not be able to do on their own. Leigh studied Human Movement Studies (now known as Sports Science) at Rhodes University and opened The Lonehill Sports Clinic which she operated for seven years in Johannesburg before she moved to Hermanus in 2004. She opened Studio Health at the Hemel-en-Aarde Village to continue doing what she loved: helping people to realise and reach their goals through exercise in order to improve their quality of life. The focus is on functional training and covers the four key areas, namely strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. Like many in Hermanus, Leigh had to
adapt her business in order to survive the difficult months of lockdown, and quickly moved her training classes onto Zoom so that her clients could still exercise from their homes. This also allowed her to open the door to international clients and to keep the social side of exercising going, which helped a great deal for those struggling with the isolation of the hard lockdown. Her business has since flourished and she still offers Zoom classes now, even though gyms and exercise studios are once again open. Leigh’s team consists of three personal trainers – two of whom run Zoom (online training) classes (from their homes in Cape Town and Stellenbosch) and the third, Arno Conradie, who works with Leigh at Studio Health in Hermanus. Both Leigh and Arno offer Zoom online and in-studio sessions from the studio. Arno joined Leigh’s team about five years ago after working as a personal trainer in Cape Town, whilst his girlfriend (now wife) lived in Hermanus. Arno was recommended to Leigh and soon after joined the studio Health team. “When people train with Arno, they keep coming back as he is a natural motivator,” says Leigh. “People can relate to him and they are comfortable around him. He is very passionate about people and his work… and he is very entertaining too!” Studio Health is currently running their bi-annual 12 Week Challenge, which is aimed at increasing fitness and wellness through healthy competition. Competitors train hard and follow a manageable nutritional plan suited to their needs,
and are supported and motivated all the way through the challenge. The person with the biggest transformation after the 12 weeks is deemed the winner.
1 1. Owner of Studio Health, Leigh Murray, with personal trainer Arno Conradie. 2. Leigh and Arno planking in the studio. PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer
Studio Health offers classes for all age groups from 13 years and up (one of Leigh’s clients, who has been training with her in Hermanus since she opened, is turning 97 this year and is still able and independent). Based on your age and ability, you will be allocated to a class that will best suit your needs. Leigh offers a free consultation before you join Studio Health in order to determine what your goals are, as well as your individual nutritional needs. “One of the biggest rewards for me is seeing people improve their health status, whether it be reducing the risk for diabetes, cholesterol, osteoporosis (we have a Power Plate which is used for vibration therapy) or mental health issues. We do this by exercising safely and eating properly – I do not condone ‘magic pills’, starvation diets or steroids… You have to put in the work and make it a lifestyle if you want to see sustainable results,” says Leigh. “We lose ground as we age and we really try to focus on helping people remain able and independent so that they can live their best lives.” If you are interested in joining Studio Health, contact Leigh on 083 325 7515 or leighmurray@telkomsa.net to make an appointment for a free consultation. They are open from Monday to Friday from 05:00 – 18:00 and Saturday from 07:30 – 12:00. For more information visit www.studiohealth.co.za. – Taylum Meyer
2
