All pictures by Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
Doha: As a step towards getting Qatar residents active, an expatriate fitness trainer started free fitness training sessions every day for anyone who is interested at the Airport Park.
Anyone can join the one-hour daily session that begins at 7:30 pm every day except on Fridays, says the instructor Jaison James, whose motive was to get people active before it is too late for them. "There is an increasing incidence of heart attack and other such lifestyle diseases among young people, and this is due to the sedentary life that one leads. Simple movement and staying active can reduce health risk," said Jaison.
A professional personal trainer to many, in and around Doha, Jaison started it all in December through a post in one of the community social media pages. "Initially the plan was to have a month of free workout sessions. Even though around 200 registered, the initial sessions had about 45-50 people on regular basis. And then through word of mouth many more joined. Seeing the response, I decided to continue it beyond the initial plan of one month," the instructor, who holds an international certification in fitness, said.
Due to the Covid-19 precautionary restrictions, the exercise sessions were discontinued and restarted in February when the rules were eased. And since then, 25-30 men and children meet up at the park daily for training. "We welcome men, women, and children for the sessions, but many women are not comfortable doing exercise in the open so very few come. Most of the participants are men, who sometimes get their children who are above 10 years old along as well," said Jaison adding that interested individuals need to carry an exercise mat and a bottle of warm water.
Jaison even arranges lectures by physicians and doctors on diet and exercise. "Doctors from Naseem Al Rabeeh Dr Anas Salih, General Physician, and Dr Bigesh Unnikrishnan Nair, Cardiologist, have been of great help. They have conducted free seminars and talks on diet and on workout guidelines for those who have recovered from Covid-19," said Jaison.
Jaison believes that exercise not just helps an individual's immune system but also takes care of their mental health and so encourages all his friends and acquaintances to make use of this programme as working out with a group also has its own advantages.
Jaison can be contacted on 74498449 or can be seen working out with his group at the Airport Park between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm. "End your day on a high note with us," says the instructor!
