Senator David Pocock Visit
We’re excited to announce that Senator David Pocock will be visiting EQUIPD on April 1st from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM. During his visit, the Senator and his team will tour our gym facilities before holding a private meeting with Dylan and Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) representatives to discuss federal election priorities.
Following this, we’ll have 30-40 minutes for our gym members to engage with the Senator, providing an opportunity to raise key local and federal issues. To accommodate this, we may need to adjust the 9:15 AM Ever Active and Tai-Chi classes if attendance grows significantly. Stick around after the visit for a social gathering in the courtyard and gym to mingle with fellow members over a cup of tea or coffee.
This visit underscores our commitment to advancing Exercise Physiology and advocating for accessible exercise for all Australians. We remain non-partisan, focusing on bipartisan support to ensure fair and equitable access to exercise services nationwide. We hope to bring you more opportunity to connect with parliamentarians over the coming months.
GST on Exercise Physiology Services
Did you know that Exercise Physiology services are not exempt from GST, unlike many of our allied health counterparts? Our discipline, along with several newer allied health fields that emerged after GST was legislated, have been advocating for a principles-based approach rather than the current rigid listing. The goal is to ensure a fairer and more flexible system that can adapt to our evolving healthcare system. This advocacy remains the main federal election priority for ESSA this year with an in-depth look at this priority and others found at the following link:
Strength for Life Update
Our Strength for Life classes in the group exercise room continue to grow and welcome new participants and gym members! For those who haven’t experienced it yet, Strength for Life is a program designed to build confidence, strength, and mobility in a supportive, supervised setting. Recently, you might have noticed some exciting upgrades around the group fitness room; new balance bars under the windowsill, additional anchor points for TheraBand’s, and a few more equipment pieces filling up our storeroom. These updates ensure our members continue to have everything they need for their fitness journey.
Exercise Physiology Update
Kyle and Sierra have both settled into their roles, taking on clinical responsibility of a range of clientele across our programs. They have both been great additions to the gym floor and have conducted initial and subsequent consultations for both new and existing members. They are keen to continue learning and growing within the EQUIPD community, so don’t hesitate to approach them for guidance or to book a consultation, available online and in person.
Both will be away on Monday afternoon to attend their University graduation – let’s all congratulate them again!
Upcoming Improvements to Pre-Exercise Screening
In our ongoing effort to enhance your gym experience, the team is developing a more robust pre-exercise screening process. This updated screening will be free of charge for all new members and gradually be rolled out to our existing members also. The goal is to gather key health details and objective data from the outset, enabling us to provide tailored support and guidance from day one. Stay tuned for more information as we fine-tune this initiative, which promises to improve safety and personalisation across the board.
Casual Gym Access Price Increase
Following our previous update, we want to confirm that the revised casual gym access fees for non-recurring memberships have now gone into effect. After a brief extension of three weeks, these new prices are live. We appreciate your understanding as we work to create a sustainable membership model that benefits our entire community.
Managing Your Health – Exercising with Chronic Conditions & Pain
In collaboration with Health Care Consumers Australia, we’re excited to offer two complementary events designed to empower you with safe, effective exercise strategies even while managing chronic conditions or pain:
Online Webinar: Thursday, April 3rd, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Online)
In-Person Session: Thursday, May 1st, from 10:30am to 12:00pm (EQUIPD Group Fitness Room)
Led by our accredited Exercise Physiologist, Dylan, these sessions will explore:
- How chronic conditions and pain impact your body and exercise capacity
- Evidence-based exercise guidelines tailored for safety and effectiveness
- Tips for building a sustainable, personalized exercise routine
- An interactive Q&A session to address your specific questions
- This is your chance to gain practical insights and resources to help you stay active confidently.
To Book a spot online:
https://events.humanitix.com/managing-your-health-exercise-with-chronic-conditions
Justice of the Peace Call-Out
We’re on the lookout for Justices of the Peace within our community! This essential service can be especially challenging to access for members with mobility limitations, so we want to build a network of local JPs to provide easier support. If you or someone you know is qualified, please reach out, your participation could make a significant difference in making legal processes more accessible to our members.
Community Group Education Sessions
Our community connections continue to grow! Recently, Dylan joined the Lung Life Support group at the Stirling Labour Club, where he discussed the vital role of exercise in maintaining overall health and well-being while motivating attendees to find movement. These sessions are an excellent way to engage with community groups, share expertise, and promote healthy living. If you have a community group that you think could benefit, please arrange a time for one of the EQUIPD team to come out and visit. We’re also opening our doors to host community group events right here at our gym, complete with access to our facilities, catering, and event equipment. If you’re interested in having us attend or host your group, please let us know.
Anna’s Walk for Bladder Cancer Awareness
Join the EQUIPD Team for Anna’s Walk on May 18th at 10:00 am as we raise awareness for bladder cancer, a cause closer to our hearts following recent member diagnoses. Your participation can help drive meaningful change:
- More Info: https://www.beatbladdercanceraustralia.org.au/annas-walk/canberra/
- Donate: https://www.beatbladdercanceraustralia.org.au/about-beat/get-involved/#donate
If you do register to walk, please notify our team so that we know how may EQUIPD members will be down on the lake. Please also remember, if you notice any worrying symptoms including blood in your pee, please consult your GP promptly.
New Coffee Machine
We’ve recently upgraded to a new, easier-to-use coffee machine for members! Enjoy a fresh cup for a gold coin donation. Updated instructions will be provided, or you can ask our front desk team for assistance. Our beans are sourced from Chifley Grocer, supporting their delicious local coffee.
Merchandise & Products
We are looking for suppliers for affordable merchandise including exercise shirts, towels, drink bottles and a range more. We are also looking at the economies of stocking a range of exercise equipment including bands, weights and accessories to purchase at the gym. We hope we can provide you with well-priced convenient options at some stage soon!
Easter Raffle
This Easter, we’re giving you extra motivation to stay on track with your goals! Throughout April, every check-in at the gym earns you an entry into our Easter Raffle completely free! The more you show up, the better your chances of winning ultimate bragging rights and a delicious chocolate prize to sweeten the deal. Make it a personal challenge to increase your attendance and track your check-ins using the members’ app. Let’s make April your most consistent month yet, good luck!
Stay active, stay strong, stay EQUIPD!
