XN000022-1978-08-20 — Page 2

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1978

POPULARITY OF PHYSICAL FITNESS CLASSES GROW | NG

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EVERY MORNING AND EVENING DURING WEEKDAYS, IRRESPECTIVE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS, A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WOULD DROP THEIR ROUTINE WORK, DON THEIR GYM-TIGHTS AND RUSH TO THE HUNG HOM CAR PARK SPORTS CENTRE.

IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF A GROWING PASSION FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS CLASSES ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THE CENTRE, WHICH WAS RECENTLY OPENED TO THE PUBLIC, IS EQUIPPED WITH THE LATEST INDOOR GYMNASIUM FACILITIES, INCLUDING AN EXPENSIVE PHYSICAL TRAINING SYSTEM IMPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES.

THE SYSTEM COMPRISES 16 +EXERCISE STATIONS+ OF WEIGHTS, PULLEYS AND SPRINGS TO ENABLE FULL BODY EXERCISE.

THERE ARE AT PRESENT 14 CLASSES BEING RUN BY THE SERVICE AT THE CENTRE. EACH CLASS COMPRISES ABOUT 30 PEOPLE AND IS HELD THREE TIMES WEEKLY, WITH EACH SESSION LASTING AN HOUR.

PARTICIPANTS CAN CHOOSE EITHER THE MORNING OR EVENING SESSIONS WHICH ARE CONDUCTED BY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTORS.

+BASICALLY, THE FITNESS TRAINING PROGRAMME COMPRISES 10 FORMS OF EXERCISE SUCH AS SIT-UP, LEG PRESS, CHEST PRESS, SHOULDER PRESS, LOW BACK LIFT AND SIDE BEND,+ EXPLAINED ONE OF THE INSTRUCTORS, MISS DOE KIT-YING.

+BEFORE A COURSE STARTS, EACH PARTICIPANT IS REQUIRED TO SET OUT HIS OWN GOAL, SHE SAID, THIS IS BECAUSE OF DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS OF PEOPLE.+

+FOR INSTANCE, SHE ADDED, +SOME MAY WISH TO GET RID OF EXCESS FAT AROUND THEIR WAIST WHILE OTHERS MAY WANT TO STRENGTHEN THEIR ARM OR LEG MUSCLES.+

DURING THE FIRST FEW LESSONS, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE TAUGHT THE TECHNIQUES OF USING THE GYM-MACHINES AND ALSO THE PROPER PROGRAMME OF THE 10 DIFFERENT FORMS OF EXERCISE.

AFTER THAT, EACH PARTICIPANT WILL THEN CONCENTRATE ON CERTAIN EXERCISES TO ACHIEVE HIS AIM.

SINCE THE TRAINING PROGRAMME STARTED IN MID-JULY THIS YEAR, ALL CLASSES HAD BEEN FILLED. THE SERVICE IS PLANNING TO OPEN NEW CLASSES IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, FURTHERMORE, OTHER CLASSES WILL ALSO BE OPENED FOR THOSE WHO HAD ALREADY COMPLETED THE BASIC TRAINING COURSE BUT WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE EXERCISING.

MR. DAVID MAK,