Elite Utra Marathon Trail Runner as DHP Instructor

Who better to take our new Deep Water Running program than our newest member of Dolphins Health Precinct - Andrew Hedgman. 

Andrew is an elite Utra Marathon Trail Runner who is passionate about health and fitness.

Andrew, a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness instructor has an amazing running pedigree. Andrew found his passion for running in high school, and broke records and regularly won races against much older students.

After finishing high school, Andrew took a break from running to pursue other adventures. Andrew is a licensed scuba diver and skydiver and has held many jobs, gaining both experience and skills. In 2008, he decided to shake the dust off his running shoes and get back into it.

Having already run a marathon, Andrew decided to start training for, and completed his first ultra marathon – a 100 km event in February 2009 at the New Zealand Nationals, where he finished in the top 10. Since then, Andrew hasn't stopped, completing several ultra marathons to date.

In February and March 2010, Andrew completed his biggest achievement to date – a 2200 km event, running the length of New Zealand in 28 days, averaging between 70-80 km a day, fighting shin splints, a torn muscle and bad weather.

In November 2010, Andrew returned to where it all started for him, at his old high school – Paeroa College – to talk to students about his journey into running, the 2200km New Zealand ultra marathon, and his future plans.

September 2011, Andrew ran 200km in Queensland, to raise funds for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA – www.wspa.org.au). It was while training for this event that Andrew changed to a vegetarian diet for ethical reasons, and believes it was one of the best decisions of his life.

He then went on in 2012 to run 1000 km's over a period of 15 day's from Brisbane to Sydney and once again raise money and awareness for WSPA. He said of his experience that the Brisbane to Sydney run was the most satisfying run he has ever done.

Not long after the Brisbane to Sydney run, Andrew ran in the Lycian Way ultra marathon over in Turkey, a 250 km, six stage, self sufficient race along the ancient Lycian Way. According to Andrew this was the toughest and most challenging race he had ever done.

Since then Andrew has also found time to study completing his Cert 111 and IV in Personal Training.

Members of Dolphins Health Precinct can catch Andrew teaching SPIN classes as well as Aqua Deep classes - 6:30pm Wednesday nights.

View our latest timetable by clicking here.

Training to Maintain

Siân (DHP Group Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer)
being trained by Angela (DHP Personal Trainer)

This photo was snapped this morning in the gym... Even Group Fitness Instructors / Personal Trainers need to train to maintain their fitness and be at the top of their profession.

Great photo ladies - train hard!

The Face of Pilates at DHP

Elly

Elly (top) with fellow instructor, Jo

Loving the DHP Pilates classes or thinking of attending one? We have the low-down on the energetic and dedicated instructor, Elly:

Elly has been in the fitness industry for 25 years, and has had numerous positions within the industry in that time. Elly has owned her own swim school, was a multiple group fitness instructor, became a personal trainer, an exercise presenter, and finally her main passion, a Pilates Instructor/Teacher. 

Elly completed her Anatomy and Physiology level 3 and Sports Massage Certificate so she could offer a wider range of services to her clients. In the years that she has been teaching Pilates at studios/clinics, Elly loves seeing people being able to move again or bend down/sit up straight again, because they had previously been in so much pain. Elly says the fact that you can learn to minimise or remove that pain with no drugs or medication is amazing to her. "You see having a strong core solves loads of problems, where a weak causes so many!" said Elly.

Elly says that Pilates is all about visualisations... you have to use your mind to strengthen your body! Initially Pilates may seem daunting but with practise you will become much better and stronger. The slow flowing movements of Pilates primarily strengthen your transverse (core) muscles that stabilise and support your spine, realign your body and correct postural problems. The eight principles of Pilates are: Concentration, breathing, centring, relaxation, quality of movement, flowing movement, body awareness, stamina.

Elly's main focus now is to work more with Health Professionals to spread the word of this amazing practise that can be taught to people, so they will never have bad backs again!

Attend one of Elly's beneficial and rewarding Pilates classes, click here for a current timetable.