AREPS drums up fitness call amid growing lifestyle health issues

The African Register of Exercise Professionals (AREPS)
conducted a wellness and fitness event that attracted over one hundred people
during their fitness tour in Nairobi at the Kenyatta International Convention
Centre (KICC) on Saturday.

The exercise, which attracted participants from all age
groups, including children and adults, drew more than 100 people who trained
under the guidance of professional wellness and physical trainers from
different regions.

This was the fourth edition since its inception in 2019, with
the last edition held last year in Nakuru, bringing together fitness trainers,
exercise enthusiasts, and other stakeholders.

Different fitness activities were conducted, including floor
aerobics, taebo, dance fitness, zumba, katabox, and strong by, among others.

AREPS chairperson Wilson Onyango underlined their motivation
to ensure sports trainers are equipped with the necessary training techniques
in sports, together with educating the community on the importance of
exercising and being fit.

“We realized there’s a gap in knowledge of keeping fit,
and we took the opportunity to educate trainers in sports and other areas on
that important aspect. We started CPR and first aid two years ago, and we aimed
to ensure proper first aid treatment in case of injuries in sports, Onyango
told Citizen Digital.”

“We have trained hundreds of trainers not only in Kenya
but Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania,” he added.

The organization is planning to introduce a “be
active” programme to encourage Kenyans to exercise and be physically
active.

Mercy Karathi, an official at AREPS and secretary of the Fitness
and Exercise Professional Society of Kenya, noted that there is a need for
Kenyans in general to keep fit with the rising number of lifestyle diseases.

“It is an individual choice to be fit, and being fit
enhances your longevity. You need to incorporate physical exercise every day.
Let us be intentional in keeping fit, let us embrace walking, and at least do
10 kilometers a day,” noted Karithi.

Karithi also insisted on the need to watch personal diet
because it will not be helpful to do the physical exercises if but observes the
wrong diet.

“We should eat the right amount of carbohydrates, fruits,
and proteins. Parents should also be intentional in keeping their kids fit with
exercise and the correct diet. Sadly, many have become ignorant, leaving the
children bulk up and grow unfit, ending up with lifestyle diseases while still
young,” Karithi added.

And with the rising number of mental health issues among the
youth, Karithi insisted on the need to engage the mind through fitness
programmes to improve emotional well-being.

Beatrece Undisa, one of the trainees, says embracing the
fitness programmes has improved her wellness. Undisa, a mother of three, has
also enrolled his children in sports academies to keep them fit and nurture
their football ability.

“I’ve made progress since I embraced fitness programmes
three years ago. My main aim is to be fit and healthy, avoiding lifestyle
diseases, and I can say it has been really helpful. I urge all Kenyans to
embrace the programmes and keep fit.”

AREPS is aiming at ensuring all the trainers are certified
by 2030, and that at least 80 percent of the population has embraced exercises.