Putting the fun back in fitness

Published: 23 February 2016

Many of us find heading out for a run or hitting the gym a very serious battle, which is why one Auckland fitness group is lightening the mood.

FitComm New Lynn Class

A family-friendly exercise group in Auckland is proving that getting fit doesn’t have to be boring.

FitComm Health and Fitness NZ (FitComm) is all about breaking down barriers and making exercise less intimidating, says founder Ron Hellesoe. 

“People keep coming back and numbers keep growing because our trainers create a positive environment,” he says.  

“We make sure people are safe, happy and comfortable and that they do whatever they can. There’s no wrong or right way as long as they keep moving. There’s lots of laughter and clowning around.”

Ron and his wife Luisa, along with their family, started FitComm in 2012 as a way of improving their family’s health. After suffering an injury playing rugby, Ron had gained weight and decided he needed to take action. 

But he also realised there were many other people in the community that needed easier access to exercise programmes. 

“A lot of people can’t afford a gym or don’t feel comfortable in one and many have no one to look after their children,” he says. 

So, FitComm was born – open to all ages (including children) and costing only a gold coin donation. 

“Our classes have a huge mix of ages, from the very young to grandparents, and a vast range of mixed ethnicities,” Ron says. 

“We have a blend of Zumba, shadow-boxing, self-defence and Cross Fit. It’s a mixture of all sorts that gets the heart pumping.”

With funding support from Waitemata District Health Board through Enua Ola Programme, FitComm is now running classes in New Lynn, Massey and North Shore. 

As graduates of the Heart Foundation’s Certificate of Proficiency in Pacific Nutrition (CPPN), Ron and Luisa share healthy eating messages during the classes. 

The couple, who both work full-time, Ron is a Coordinator for the Ministry of Health’s Bowel Screening Programme and Luisa who works at Auckland University of Technology, are to be applauded for the time they volunteer to coordinate these classes. 

Keep up the awesome work guys!

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