“Keep Fit” Exercises And Recreational Activities To Be Demonstrated

Southland Times, Issue 23948, 14 October 1939, Page 12

“Keep Fit” Exercises And Recreational Activities To Be Demonstrated

The open demonstration classes to be held in the Victoria Concert Chamber next week, by the Area Recreation Officer, will be an excellent opportunity for women to see for themselves the type of exercises and recreation activities used in the modern method of “Keeping Fit”. How many of us realize what it means to feel a hundred per cent, fit? How many of us after a hard day’s housework or shopping, feel physically and nervously so tired that we cannot enjoy our leisure, and gain proper refreshment from our recreation? It does not need the eye of an expert to see the improvement in health of those who have regularly attended “Keep Fit” classes, and with this improvement there is an increased mental alertness which brings a keener enjoyment of life.

The social value of such classes is also indisputable. Many women who were lonely, or who, perhaps, had difficulty in making friends, have through a Keep Fit class had the opportunity to meet new acquaintances and gain companionship. Many state, too, that they find housework, shopping and even looking after the children much lighter since they joined a Keep Fit group. They probably feel physically fitter and more confident to cope with everyday worries; but apart from that, many of them learn from classes how to use their physical powers in ordinary life, with the least expenditure of energy and the maximum result—an invaluable piece of knowledge. For instance, there is a right and a wrong way of sitting and standing. A young typist joined a Keep Fit class. When she first came she looked tired and drawn and complained of back ache at the end of the day, but in a short time she learnt the proper way to sit. As a result, not only did she feel less tired and her backaches disappeared, but her work improved. Older women also find that since attending a class they can get through the housework far more quickly than they did before, simply because they know how to stand and walk in the right way and they are generally more able to withstand the fatiguing effects of much stooping and standing. The demand for classes for older people in England is so great that a special investigation into the right type of work for them, was made recently by competent women with medical qualifications and wide experience in physical education. Their report and excellent recommendations as to the most suitable exercises and activities

for women over 40, are a sound guide to all undertaking the leadership of women’s classes.

Recreational Keep Fit classes must not be confused with the barrack square method of physical training, and dull, formal repetitive exercises. The work is planned so as to give real recreation in two senses, recreation in a modem sense, and re-creation of mind and body—a sound and active body is of little use unless it is under the control of an alert mind.

Classes for women and girls will be started throughout Southland in the coming autumn—probably during March or the beginning of April. The object of holding the open classes dur-, ing Recreation Week is to demonstrate the modem Keep Fit method, with a view of, not only interesting women as a whole, but of encouraging some to train as leaders for the work, as at present there are not sufficient quali-: fied people to undertake classes throughout the area. The training, which will be conducted by the Lady Area Recreation Officer for Southland, will cover 100 hours course spread over the period of a year; but if prospective leaders enroll early they should have sufficient knowledge of the work to commence their own classes in the autumn, while still continuing their training Subjects included in the syllabus will be—Keep Fit exercises and their adaptation to varying age and physique, activities, games and simple dances suitable for women’s classes, skipping and ball exercises, voice production in teaching; also instruction in theory of movement, simple anatomy, and physiology, hygiene and first aid, besides lectures and discussions on nutrition, posture, leadership and other subjects relative to recreative physical activities. The course, therefore, aims at imparting both a practical and theoretical knowledge, the latter being particularly necessary if leaders are to gain a sound basis and permanent benefit from the training.

The open classes are being held in the Victoria Concert Chamber as follows :—

Monday, October 16.—2.30—3.30 p.m. Women; 6.30—7.30 p.m. Girls. Thursday, October 19.—2.30—3.30 p.m. Women; 6.30—7.30 p.m. (Y.M.C.A. building), Girls. Friday, October 20.—10.30-11.30 a.m. Special class for older women up to 60 years of age. Women are asked to wear unrestricting clothing and rubber soled shoes. After Labour Day, similar classes will also be held in other parts of the area including Bluff, Winton and Riverton.