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Jeannie’s Journey – Blog 2

So this week’s highlight was Reformer Pilates. A strange class with a bed-like contraption where you pull your body using springs and ropes. I had seen it through the window and of course everything looks easier when watching rather than doing. The instructor Cass was humorous with the class participants – many of whom were regulars – but she was militant in pose formations. My flat table pose was leaning but she came over and helped me to correct my table. After reducing my spring resistance she advised me that an easier spring would be beneficial as she knew it was my first time and she wanted me to come back. I definitely felt some muscles I had not used in quite some time and my arms were weary by the end. But I loved this class and the slightly sarcastic (in a fun way) but ever helpful Instructor Cass and would recommend it to anyone. I can’t wait to go back.

I’ve been coming to the gym at different times so I can see peak periods and when it is more quiet. After work seems busy but I have not experienced any huge delays for equipment use.  I think my preferred time is when the gym just opens – 5am on weekdays. It is dark when I get in and workout at this time. It is peaceful and I feel my strength rising with my heartbeat. I come out of these morning sessions with a euphoric feeling and the daylight change seems to increase my positive mind set.

A 7:30am start sees a little less floor space for gym mats but there is a definite buzz in the air like a collective of bees busily going about their day. After all the workers have hurried off to their jobs, there seems a steady arrival of people who do their workouts at a more leisurely pace and it all seems very social. There is a senior’s fit class on the gym floor and watching them at a distance I am acutely aware that many of them are fitter and stronger than I, but it also allows me hope. I still have time to get fitter and stronger, and perhaps some of those seniors were just like me at my age. I guess one is never too old to start. The mind is my strongest muscle and as my mind is firmly set, I can see it is dragging my body along for the journey until my body has the will to do it for itself.

I had to laugh with the leg press machine again this week. I am lifting 40kgs which is the minimum amount. I finished my set and the next member Adrian loads 240kgs onto it! This is the maximum. I asked him how long it took to be able to lift that and he said he had been lifting that weight for a number of years. He encouraged me to keep at it and said I could get there! Seriously not thinking I ever want to get “there” but I would be happy to manage to keep my heels flat on the plate and push out my 3 reps of 12 without the fear of my knees locking or ending up around my ears in the dismount.

What is with the roller? I am told I have fat like chicken skin under my skin and by sitting on this cylinder and rolling my butt, left and right separately back and forth over the roller, will help break down the fat. At first I thought this was some sort of joke but I have seen other members also doing it, so if it is a joke I am not the only one being fooled.  The band walking – where you put a rubber band around your ankles then stretch out sideways and do like a crab walk across the floor had me confused.  When the staff member Kath showed me how to do it, we both laughed at me attempting to copy her moves then agreed as a beginner a less resistant band was required due to me lacking the balance and coordination required of the more resistance bands.

I have had a couple of delicious detox smoothies after my gym sessions. The PARC café opens at 7am on weekdays so I’m usually in for a workout at 5.30am  and then I stop and enjoy a smoothie before heading to work. I find it peaceful and rewarding to sit and reflect about the class/workout session and think about what lies ahead on my fitness journey.

Sunday found me up at 6am as the gym opens at 7am on weekends. I went for a 5km walk and then headed into the gym to do my workout.  My muscles are feeling a little tender but I am told by my ever informative friend after 4 days things will ease up. Hmm it is day 7 and all muscles ache. But I will say this – it doesn’t feel as bad as it did day 2 and I sort of like the ache. Is that even possible??

After my walk and workout I decided to try out the meditation class. Here’s what I know about meditation…I suck at it lol. I try to breathe slowly as instructed, in through my nose and exhale out my mouth. In out, in out…suddenly startled by my own snoring!!!. My mind races around, did anyone else hear me snore? How long was I asleep for? What time is it? Was I actually just asleep in a public place?  So I open my eyes and just as I do this the Instructor comes over and calmly and ever so quietly instructs me to close my eyes. She then gave a sort of massage where she pushed my shoulders hard to the floor and ran her hands down my arms across shoulders and into my neck. I felt calm and peace return whilst my thoughts were slipping away. I lay there for a few minutes before the instructor started bringing us back to a conscious state.

I’m not sure if meditation classes are right for me as my mind is a busy thing. I find walking along in silence at 5am is easier to get me into a clear state of mind. Perhaps I struggled because that was my first attempt. I will try again for sure, and I apologise to any fellow participants if you heard me snore.

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Three weeks of PARC Reformer 😱

WOW time flies when you're having fun! It's been 3 weeks since we opened the doors to our brand new PARC Reformer Studio and we have loved hearing how much you're all enjoying the new space! 

It's great to see our PARC community making the most of the new reformer studio and trying out all the amazing new features including the Virtual and On-demand options to fit in with busy schedules. 

Thanks for your patience as we worked through some booking challenges in the first few days. Want to try it for yourself? bookings are open via the Xplor App or Customer Portal.

After more info? Check out our PARC Reformer Studio website page via the link in bio

Keep the momentum going and make PARC Reformer a regular part of your routine. We’ll see you in the Studio soon!

#PARCfrankston #PARCReformer
Thank you Rotary Peninsula 2.0 & the 2025 Rotary Birth tree 🌳

The Rotary Peninsula 2.0 Birth Tree helps to raise funds for swim programs in our community, with $45 of every contribution going straight back to PARC and PINES to help more children build confidence in the water. 

Registrations for the Birth Tree are now available for all babies born in 2025. 

For more information or if you would like to register your child for the 2025 Rotary Birth Tree please head to the website. Link in bio

#PARCFrankston #RotaryPeninsula2_0 #Birthtree #morepeoplecanswim
Important Centre Update 

Closure Notice: The 50m Pool will be closed from Monday 30 June – Sunday 27 July.

We are undertaking significant tiling and improvement works in the Main 50m Pool. This means that the Main 50m Pool will be closed from Monday 30 June – Sunday 27 July (4 week closure period). 

What services are impacted? 
• CLOSED: Over the period, the 50m pool will be closed. 
• OPEN: All other aquatic facilities will remain open, including the Learn to Swim Pool, Warm Water Pool Hall, Waterslides and Aquatic Playground. Importantly, this means that PARC Swim lessons in the 50m pool will not run. 
 
To learn more about these planned works and how the closure impact you, please visit our website via link in bio
If you would like to suspend your membership for the closure period, you can do so via our website, link in bio
 
Suspensions used will not go towards members’ allowable suspensions and won’t impact the suspensions rules. 

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to enhance your PARC experience with these important upgrades.

#PARCFrankston
Aquatic Playground Closure 🛠 
 
The Aquatic playground will be closed for planned maintenance from Tuesday 17 June to Tuesday 24 June. 
 
This maintenance requires the playground to be dry in order to be repaired. The Learn to Swim, Toddler pool and Waterslides are still available for your enjoyment. 
 
We hope to reopen the Aquatic Playground in full on 24 June. 
 
We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. 

#PARCFrankston #Aquaticplayground
PARC Cafe staff attempted the Ice Chocolate challenge and it got messy. 😂

Who had the best technique and who caved under the cold? You decide! 👇

Kynen - ❤️, Maddy - 👍, Maya - 😂 or Bella - 😲

Vote below who you think is the Ice Chocolate Champion! 🏆

#PARCFrankston #PARCCafe #IceChocolateChallenge #StaffShowdown #VoteYourChampion #CafeFun
Our industry awards night is tonight! 🌟🏆

The Aquatic and Recreation Victoria Industry Awards recognise outstanding achievement and commitment to the industry. This year our facilities and many of our wonderful staff have been nominated for their contributions, and all of the hard work they do for our community.

Peninsula Leisure are finalists for the following awards:

Facility Management Award (Large) – PARC
Facility Management Award (Seasonal) – PINES
Sustainability Award – PARC
Community Impact Award – Peninsula Leisure 
Group Exercise Instructor Award – Belinda Butterfield
Membership Sales Award – Clair Porter
Personal Trainer/Gym Instructor Award – Nic Hough
Swim Teacher Award (General) – Ellie Spasevski

Good luck to all our finalists, thank you for all the work you do, we can't wait to share the night with you all! 

#PARCFrankston #ARVindustryawards #goodluck #Finalists2025

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