Get Up And Go |

The Sun Herald

Saturday September 3, 1994

WHILE people around the nation have revelled in the feats of our Commonwealth Games athletes and their record medal haul the sad fact is that most of us prefer watching sport to taking part in it.

We would rather sit in the armchair than on the exercise bike, an attitude the National Heart Foundation is trying to change with its annual Pump Heart for Health Week starting tomorrow.

The benefits of exercise are well known but surveys show that the average Australian is very reluctant to take part.

A 1992 study found that 62 per cent of women and 56pc of men reported no moderate physical activity in the last six months.

The average Australian spends nearly two hours a day watching or listening to the television set, almost quadruple the time spent on exercise.

Pump Heart Week, now in its fourth year, aims to get people out of the house and into exercising for their heart's sake, whether it be walking, swimming or aerobics.

Nearly 200 gyms and fitness centres around the State are taking part in promoting health and exercise and providing a range of programs to encourage people to participate.

Heart Foundation spokeswoman Vicki Brown said it was a great opportunity for people who wouldn't normally attend an exercise class to discover it could be fun and enjoyable.

"Many people think gymnasiums are full of super-fit athletes and would feel embarrassed to join their classes but fitness centres and gyms have classes to suit all ages and all fitness levels," she said.

But if you are shy about joining classes then there are simple ways to begin on your own.

It is important to chose an activity that you will enjoy and not simply endure so don't make it a chore. If something interrupts your program don't use it as an excuse to stop but just begin again.

If exercise is done sensibly and care is taken with warming up and cooling down then injury can be avoided.

It is important to start at a low level and build up gradually.

The benefits of regular exercise are numerous.