The current global health awareness is fast catching up with
Nigerians, especially residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),
Abuja, many of who have taken to the streets in their quest to be fit
and healthier.
It has become a regular sight to spot residents engaging in various physical fitness exercises early in the morning, along the road or fields, in various districts of the FCT.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, some residents said they engage in various physical fitness activities to achieve a set goal, while some opined they exercise to keep fit and healthy others say its aimed at boosting their immunity and preventing a wide variety of health related problems.
In a chat with LEADERSHIP, a Dutse resident, David Imako, a 35-year-old banker, who said he works throughout the week in a job which was stressful, said he uses Saturday mornings to exercise and ease the stress in preparation for another hectic week.
Another resident, Godwin Kanti said he uses the Saturday morning exercise period to bond with his sports partner, his wife.
Kanti said: “We do this, not only to keep fit but it is another way for us to bond. We have been doing this for the past two years now. I help her and she helps me. If I get tired, she is there to ginger me to continue and if she gets tired, I am close by to tell her to continue. This is what relationships are all about; exercising together helps us to bond more.”
For another resident, Wisdom Iheme, who walks his dog as part of his exercise routine, he said walking with the dog is fun.
“I have to exercise and walk my dog the same time. Saturdays are the days I have time to walk my dog, Bruce. He always knows when it is Saturday and he wakes me up early, barking and wagging his tail, so anxious to go out for a walk. So, it is a time we do our little walk together,” he said.
In a chat with the chairman of El-jiramo Fitness Club, Mr Mike Akunye, said the club is an avenue for its members to train, keep fit and socialise with one another.
Akunye said: “We started about three years ago. We exercise publicly so people will see how important it is to keep fit; it is working because the club membership is growing. We start from 6 am to 8 am, though we exceed that at times. We have the various facilities for members to train with, we have a volley ball court already and we are planning to also build a badminton court; we pay coaches and trainers to help us.’’
Highlighting the importance of work out, he said: ’’Before I joined the club the hospital has always been my point of call; it was like a second home to me and I always carry drugs around. I was a patient at various hospitals across the FCT. I have been admitted at the National Hospital, Federal Staff Hospital and Maitama Hospital. I carry their cards around so I can just go to any of them and get treatment whenever I have crises. But since I joined the club I no longer go to the hospital; I am fit and healthy.
‘’Fitness has nothing to do with the size of your body. For you to be active and your body system to function well, you need to exercise. It is one way of reducing cholesterol in the body.”
Speaking exclusively to LEADERSHIP, a fitness trainer, Ms Ify Anene, explained that training sessions basically include warm up, training session and cool off.
‘’There are three general elements of a workout to make it successful, it starts with a warm-up which is the foundation of the exercise programme and it sets the tone for the rest of the session. It also helps one to be mentally and physically prepared for the session.
‘’After that comes the training session which aids to break down the muscle tissue to be rebuilt much stronger, leaner and larger; it is the most strenuous of the three parts of the session. The last part is the cool down part which helps boost recovery, reduce soreness and prevent future injury,’’ she added.
It has become a regular sight to spot residents engaging in various physical fitness exercises early in the morning, along the road or fields, in various districts of the FCT.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, some residents said they engage in various physical fitness activities to achieve a set goal, while some opined they exercise to keep fit and healthy others say its aimed at boosting their immunity and preventing a wide variety of health related problems.
In a chat with LEADERSHIP, a Dutse resident, David Imako, a 35-year-old banker, who said he works throughout the week in a job which was stressful, said he uses Saturday mornings to exercise and ease the stress in preparation for another hectic week.
Another resident, Godwin Kanti said he uses the Saturday morning exercise period to bond with his sports partner, his wife.
Kanti said: “We do this, not only to keep fit but it is another way for us to bond. We have been doing this for the past two years now. I help her and she helps me. If I get tired, she is there to ginger me to continue and if she gets tired, I am close by to tell her to continue. This is what relationships are all about; exercising together helps us to bond more.”
For another resident, Wisdom Iheme, who walks his dog as part of his exercise routine, he said walking with the dog is fun.
“I have to exercise and walk my dog the same time. Saturdays are the days I have time to walk my dog, Bruce. He always knows when it is Saturday and he wakes me up early, barking and wagging his tail, so anxious to go out for a walk. So, it is a time we do our little walk together,” he said.
In a chat with the chairman of El-jiramo Fitness Club, Mr Mike Akunye, said the club is an avenue for its members to train, keep fit and socialise with one another.
Akunye said: “We started about three years ago. We exercise publicly so people will see how important it is to keep fit; it is working because the club membership is growing. We start from 6 am to 8 am, though we exceed that at times. We have the various facilities for members to train with, we have a volley ball court already and we are planning to also build a badminton court; we pay coaches and trainers to help us.’’
Highlighting the importance of work out, he said: ’’Before I joined the club the hospital has always been my point of call; it was like a second home to me and I always carry drugs around. I was a patient at various hospitals across the FCT. I have been admitted at the National Hospital, Federal Staff Hospital and Maitama Hospital. I carry their cards around so I can just go to any of them and get treatment whenever I have crises. But since I joined the club I no longer go to the hospital; I am fit and healthy.
‘’Fitness has nothing to do with the size of your body. For you to be active and your body system to function well, you need to exercise. It is one way of reducing cholesterol in the body.”
Speaking exclusively to LEADERSHIP, a fitness trainer, Ms Ify Anene, explained that training sessions basically include warm up, training session and cool off.
‘’There are three general elements of a workout to make it successful, it starts with a warm-up which is the foundation of the exercise programme and it sets the tone for the rest of the session. It also helps one to be mentally and physically prepared for the session.
‘’After that comes the training session which aids to break down the muscle tissue to be rebuilt much stronger, leaner and larger; it is the most strenuous of the three parts of the session. The last part is the cool down part which helps boost recovery, reduce soreness and prevent future injury,’’ she added.
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