MY EXPERIENCE
My fitness career started September 1986. I attended exercise classes twice a week after the birth of my son and became really interested in teaching. The opportunity to attend a BEAF course with Fitness Wales came along during my employment as a clerical assistant at Cefn Hengoed Community Leisure Centre.
After
completing the course I started teaching at the centre – mainly classes
for mums during the daytime then onto evening aerobic classes through the
community. I went on to complete my RSA in exercise to music
a few years later and never looked back.
I moved on to teach at Swansea Leisure Centre – I taught there for
15 years until its recent closure. During this time I attended numerous workshops
and courses which enabled me to teach a variety of classes including aerobics,
step, cardio kick, muscle max, circuits, boxercise, salsa and dance.
Whilst at Swansea LC I became Pilates trained – having completed the Michael king Pilates course. I became interested in teaching this method within the Leisure Centre and other sites.
During my career I have taught in numerous sites, including Quadrun Fitness Centre, Afan Lido, Neath and Port Talbot, Glyneath, Morriston Leisure Centre and Penlan.
I currently teach my own classes at Hafod, Dunvant and Waunarlwydd in the evenings. I also cover Tycoch and recently the Langrove Health and Fitness Club. I also teach one to one Pilates and offer personal training.
I still feel ongoing training is a must and important for future development.
This is currently undertaken through Fitness Wales, of which I am a member.
I have been fortunate enough to pursue a hobby of mine and make it into a part time career which I have enjoyed over the last 18 years or so. I have also made many friends along the way. It’s a wonderful experience and is very rewarding.
I try to make my classes as interesting and as much fun as I possibly can. Everyone can exercise whatever shape or size, young or old. It’s just finding something you like to do and sticking to it.
It can be used for weight control and maintain optimum health. Also the well being factor is a main contributor to an enjoyable and rewarding exercise session.