Active women program extended

A HEALTHY program for women has been extended to Atherton on the back of how successful it was in Ravenshoe and Malanda last year.

The Rural Active Women Program in Atherton will kick off in May and locals are being encouraged to register before all the places are filled.

“North Queensland Primary Health Network assessed our community and older women in our region were shown to have low levels of physical activity compared to other areas in Far North Queensland,” Cr Annette Haydon said.

“So, we’ve partnered with Atherton Community Health, Tablelands Sexual Assault Services and FNQ Health and Fitness to develop and deliver the Rural Active Women Program.

“The program aims to increase participation in physical activity among women in this 60+ age group to contribute to their overall health and wellbeing.

“We hope it will create a pattern of ongoing positive behaviour and healthy exercise habits.

“It is open to all health, ability, experience, skill and social and economic levels.”

The program focuses on core muscle groups, cardiovascular fitness, joint movement, resistance-based exercises and functional strength to aid with falls prevention.

It includes free weekly exercise sessions and at least one wellbeing session, and participants can choose from cardio circuit, bone health resistance training, hydrotherapy and Pilates.

Sessions include:

• Cardio circuit – 9am-10am Thursdays from 4 May to 1 June at Merriland Hall. Includes a bonus wellbeing session at 10.30-11.30am Thursday 25 May. This bonus session is a body-based approach to better mental health and wellbeing.

• Bone Health Resistance Training9am-10am Thursdays from 8 to 29 June at Merriland Hall.

• Hydrotherapy – 11.30am-12.30pm Thursdays from 13 July to 10 August at Atherton swimming pool, and

• Pilates – 9am-10am Thursdays from 17 August to 7 September at Merriland Hall.

To register, go to www.trc.qld.gov. au/rural-active-women before Friday 21 April.

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