WINDHOEK– More Namibians have over the years realised the importance of exercise and keeping fit.
Petrus Gurirab, a membership consultant at Virgin Active fitness centre here says in his nine years experience of working for a health and fitness centre, more people have joined the gym to keep fit. “Those days it was mostly white people going to the gym but now it’s everyone,” Gurirab says. Although there is a price to pay, that of getting out of a comfort zone to stretch the muscles or paying ‘too much money’ at a health and fitness centre, the benefits of exercise and keeping fit far outweigh the risk of not exercising, Gurirab highlights.
“There are a lot of benefits that come with exercise. You detox, release stress, increase flexibility and feel good about yourself,” Gurirab points out. He explains that a person who exercises and keeps fit is unlikely to suffer from flu-like symptoms. “The more you exercise, the less likely you are to consult a doctor for treatment,” he notes, adding that even medical aid institutions have realised this.
On the contrary, Sophy Nhinda of the Nucleas Health and Fitness Club is of the view that many Namibians are not keen on exercising and keeping fit. Says Nhinda:”Most people don’t understand why they should keep fit. Some may have a lot of money but still opt to not exercise. They don’t realise that exercising and keeping fit is a way of saving money”.
She reiterates that people who exercise are less likely to spend their money on health treatment. For example, a person who has a chronic ailment can exercise to control their conditions. A chronic disease is defined as a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured. Chronic illnesses include diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol and cardiac vascular diseases.
“No medicine is better than exercise for a person who has high blood pressure. Also, if a person does not have a chronic illness and they exercise they can avoid it. If a person who regularly exercises is involved in a car accident they will recover faster compared to one who does not exercise and is involved in a car accident,” she explains.
People with chronic illnesses should however consult their medical doctors before engaging on an exercise programme, advises Gurirab. Nevertheless, people do not have to go to a gym or fitness club to exercise and keep fit, the duo notes.
“Exercise starts at home and you don’t have to pay a cent for it,” says Nhinda who explains that playing soccer or netball is a way of keeping fit. Gurirab when asked to advise people who are not keen on exercising and keeping fit says: “Many people don’t like to exercise alone. If they do it in a group it’s much more fun”.
Exercise should however be coupled with eating a balanced diet, the two caution. “You have to eat right, the body needs a balanced diet. The body needs different diets and if one is lacking, it can lead to chronic illnesses,” comments Nhinda. Gurirab adds: “If you don’t eat right you will destroy your body. A balanced diet is important and it doesn’t have to be expensive”.
By Alvine Kapitako