UCOL graduate exercises business know-how

Graduate exercises business know-how

A UCOL postgraduate student has started up a group-oriented community health initiative for overweight individuals in the Manawatu District.

Jonathan TeRauna, a UCOL student studying towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Level 8, has launched Health and Performance Manawatu (HAPM) to mix specialised physical testing and conditioning sessions for moderate or low health risk clients.

Jonathan, who lives in Feilding, says there is a specific need in the Manawatu for specialised fitness sessions for people with moderate health risk. “High health risk clients can be referred to exercise and wellness clinics or PHO staff but when they complete their programmes, although their health has improved, they run the risk of returning to bad behaviours.”

Jonathon called upon friend Brandon Lockwood, a fellow graduate from UCOL’s Bachelor in Exercise and Sport Science to help with the start-up and add to the planning. “By providing a service that falls somewhere in between these programmes and gyms, we hope to help overweight or obese individuals who need more help to get where they want to be.”

HAPM’s services will include physical testing and monitoring, health history review, goal-setting coaching, education and specialised group fitness sessions – in Palmerston North and Feilding.

“We’ll run the sessions to cater for our clients’ goals and aspirations, in a challenging yet enjoyable way. We want people to feel that the sessions are a planned part of their weekly routine, rather than a chore.

“I have a genuine passion for improving people’s health and wellbeing. In New Zealand 35% of the population is overweight and this is projected to continue increasing. For me it’s about improving poor behavioural habits and promoting an attainable healthy lifestyle.”

Jonathon and fellow graduate Brandon were named last week in Innovate 2013’s Top 32 contestants, so they are now preparing to present about HAPM in front of judges tomorrow.

HAPM Sessions start in Palmerston North on the May 28 and in Feilding on May 30, in the evenings. Anyone interested in signing up can visit facebook.com/healthandperformanceNewZealand

ENDS

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