Gym owner Adrian Betts from Bellingen Fitness said he has a core group of women aged 60–74 coming regularly to the 45-minute seniors class held on Wednesdays at 7am.

Members of the group augment the class with extra visits to the gym and exercise such as brisk walking and swimming.

Research shows weight-bearing exercise can reduce falls as well as reducing the severity of injuries sustained from a fall. 

A recent Osteoporosis Australia report estimated the brittle bones of Australians aged over 50 costs the nation about $3.1 billion annually.

“Not only can exercise strengthen bones and muscles, improve balance and in turn reduce the risk of falls and fractures, recent studies have seen exercise significantly increase bone density, reducing risk of fractures by up to 95 per cent,” exercise physiologist Carly Ryan said. 

The Raleigh gym has an air-conditioned cardio room with treadmills and rowing machines, while the main room has a wide range of weight-lifting equipment, including leg curl, squat and calf raise machines, seated chest press, seated row, shoulder press, lat pull-down, bicep curl, pec deck, leg press and a Smith machine.

General circuit training classes are run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6am and Tuesdays at 5pm.

Adrian said circuit training is a great way to learn how to lift weights safely while being pushed to work a little harder then you might work on your own.

Classes use upper and lower body exercises, weights, body weight, as well as "functional" equipment, to develop strong movement, robust core strength, and lean bodies.

A typical session will begin with a general warm up and dynamic stretch, circuit work, followed by a cool down and stretch.

Adrian is also running classes aimed at increasing the speed, agility, strength and power of children aged 10 to 14 so they can perform better at their chosen sports.

More info: http://www.bellingenfitness.com