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By Gisela Horner
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Not everyone relishes exercise. In fact, too many of us don’t like it at all!
At Castle Hill Fitness and Aquatic Centre, part of Castle Hill RSL Group (CHRG), there is an instructor who wants to change all that.
Belinda Howitt is a qualified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and aqua-aerobics instructor, teaching at CH Fitness and Aquatic Centre. From an early age, she has loved sport. During Years 11 and 12, she attended TAFE gaining qualifications in shorthand, typing, bookkeeping and office administration. However, after changes within the company she worked for, she was given the opportunity to leave and train in an industry of her choice. It was to change her life. She joined the Australian Institute of Fitness and graduated in 2007.
Belinda has been running aqua-aerobic and “Strong Bones for Seniors” classes at the Fitness Centre since 2021 and covers classes for other instructors whenever possible. Her love of exercise, fitness and body conditioning brings a touch of joy and fun to her classes. Ages range from 18 upwards and Belinda takes great delight in the 100s of seniors who attend her classes.
Apart from Belinda’s professional life, she has a busy time at home looking after her two children, two cats, two dogs and a friendly frog. Belinda owes her drive in life to her ‘Nan’, a strong woman who taught her the essential skills in sewing, cooking and gardening. ‘Nan’ came to Australia with her parents in the 1930s as a child from Austria. She married at 20, had her son, Belinda’s father, at 21, bringing him up as a single parent. With hard work she bought a large property in Normanhurst and Belinda remembers fondly the chickens, goats and horses (which were agisted to help pay bills) at the property when she came to stay. ‘Nan’ was always there, ready to advise and regale
Belinda with stories of her early life. Her father and stepmother owned and ran Wahroonga Hardware and Nursery 7 days a week. Belinda grew up working part-time in dad’s shop during her school days, gaining an understanding of what it is to run a small business, learning practical skills involving tools and gardening equipment. She continues her love of gardening, and has a particular interest in succulents.
“This job is not work; I love it, it’s just a pleasure. I have flexibility and the people I meet are a joy. Particularly the seniors. I know I am helping them and it is so important to keep them out of hospital, keep them healthy and we also have a lot of fun. The health and welfare of people is what drives me to make their lives better, physically and emotionally. Castle Hill Fitness and Aquatic Centre is a place I love to go to and help make people’s lives that little bit brighter.”
For more details about the centre visit the website: https://www.chfac.com.au/
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