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.