A SIMPLE Friday morning fitness class is helping bring Yeoval residents together, offering exercise and friendship for people of all ages.
For the past 18 months, Yeoval Baptist Church’s weekly Church Gym has become a popular place, attracting people each week to a circuit session, followed by morning tea.
Organiser and physiotherapist Rachel Kerin said the program was created to support the church’s vision of caring for the community’s physical and spiritual wellbeing.
“We have people of all ages exercising side by side,” she said.
“My husband’s grandmother is nearly 90 and she’ll be working alongside a teenager or a young mum. Everyone can exercise at their own level.”
With no local gym in Yeoval, Ms Kerin said the sessions have helped to fill a gap in the community.
“I know what it’s like to be a young mum in a rural town and feel isolated,” she said.
“One young mum told me she didn’t really feel like she belonged in Yeoval until she started coming here. Finding those friendships made all the difference.”
The circuit includes eight exercise stations, with participants able to choose between different difficulty levels depending on their age, fitness or mobility.
A volunteer-run crèche also operates during each class, allowing parents with young children to take part.
“It’s very inclusive,” Ms Kerin said. “Whether someone uses a walker, is recovering from an injury or goes to the gym five days a week, everyone is welcome.”
While the exercise is important, she believes the social side is just as valuable.
“Sometimes people stay talking over morning tea until lunchtime,” she said.
“We’ve even had people come just for the coffee and the conversation, and I love that.”
The class has helped forge new friendships, with locals who previously knew each other only in passing now catching up each week.
“It’s really beautiful to see those connections forming,” Ms Kerin said.
Church Gym runs every Friday during school terms at Yeoval Baptist Church. Sessions begin at 9am, cost $10 per person, and include morning tea. The next six-week term begins on July 24, with new participants welcome.
Ms Kerin encouraged anyone interested to come along.
“Come along. Move your body, have a coffee, meet some people. You are always welcome.”