Working out for a good cause

Training to raise funds for Blue September are (clockwise from left) Mark Scott, Trevor Anderson, Naithan Scott, Mike Cranstoun and Pete Taylor. PHOTOS: SAM HENDERSON

Saturday sweat sessions are set to rally behind men’s wellbeing.

The team at Arete Physiotherapy is turning its Bond St gym into a Blue September engine room on Saturday, September 27.

For a donation, the public is invited to join a one-hour high-intensity workout and contribute to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Arete Physiotherapy owner Anne Wilson said the event is designed to make it easy for anyone to take part.

The format will mirror the Saturday morning cardio class of her long-running men’s rehabilitation group.

"This is a rehab class of, like, broken down tradies."

The group trains twice a week, focusing on strength and conditioning.

Then on Saturdays the group takes part in a cardio class.

"So we are going to replicate their cardio class for as many sessions as we need to get everyone in."

People will be invited to join a workout for a donation and see if they can keep up with the men.

"They actually work really, really hard."

Many regulars in her rehabilitation group are tradespeople who come in with challenges such as back, shoulder or knee problems.

Only one in the group had been to a gym before.

"It is kind of like a gym for non-gym-goers."

The group works under the supervision of physiotherapy staff and personal trainers, using ropes, bikes and other equipment in fast circuits

The team at Arete Physiotherapy are working up a sweat for charity.

Although some members first arrived with work injuries, the classes are self-funded and focus on building better habits.

"They are working really hard."

Early member Trevor Anderson had been on a waiting list for back surgery; now he deadlifts about 160 kg and can run 5 km in under 30 minutes.

"So it has changed their lives around really," Ms Wilson said.

Participants for the Blue September fundraiser are asked to register beforehand, so staff can slot people into hourly classes capped at about 12 to keep coaching tight.

With the doors open, a larger floor area and a steady stream of one-hour workouts, the fundraiser aims to bring new faces into exercise while pushing a serious message about men’s health.