Former Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Jane Flemming visited Orange on Tuesday to launch a free exercise program in Newman Park.
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Ms Flemming launched the Live Life Get Active program, which she co-founded with chief executive officer Amanda King, and said it was about helping "gym rejects and sports atheists" to be active.
"The whole idea is to be as welcoming and non-intimidating as we can be," she said.
The free group exercises include cross fit style exercise and boxing and are being run at Newman Park from Monday to Friday at 9.30am.
"We normally target young mums and they can bring their kids and then their kids will become friends," Ms Flemming said.
She said the classes were near Orange East Public School so she hoped more parents would join in after dropping students at school.
During the launch Ms Flemming caught up with participants of a boxing class, pictured from left Nevelle Butler, Kylie Lenaghan, Leigha Aurisch, Anne-Maree Ryan, Bradford Stuart, Mary Moss, Fran Reed, Jess Bloomfield and trainer Neil Brydon.
Mr Brydon said the classes were for all ages and fitness levels and since it started last Tuesday there was an average of seven or eight people per session and the largest had 16 participants.
Among those who has been taking part was Jess Bloomfield.
"I was 210 kilograms 12 months ago and I just needed something to help shake off the last 10 kilograms before I go in for skin removal surgery and Neil's been kicking my arse and now I've lost the 10 kilograms," Mrs Bloomfield said.
She said she had previously had a gym membership but found it to be intimidating to be surrounded by thin muscly people.
However, she said she did not feel intimidated in the Live Life Get Active program and it helped that her children attended Orange East Public School so she didn't have to go far to join in.
"I look forward to it every day," Mrs Bloomfield said.
"It gives me something to do, you actually feel like you've accomplished something."
The program is being funded by Orange City Council and private businesses including Chris Gryllis Real Estate.
'"I believe it is a good program for the community and this is a very small contribution our sponsorship has made," Mr Gryllis said.
He said the idea was also to enable retirees and other people who may not be able to afford a gym membership an opportunity to be active.
Although the classes are free, people need to register online at livelifegetactive.com.
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Tanya Marschke
I am based at Orange and cover a wide range of subjects as well as the weekly business column. I've worked consistently in the the media industry since 2006 including the past seven years at the Central Western Daily. Before moving to Orange, I worked as a journalist at weekly newspapers the Beaudesert Times and the Gold Coast Sun in Queensland, as well as the Scone Advocate in the Hunter Valley. I started my career at the Ridge News in Lightning Ridge while I completed my journalism studies remotely at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.
I am based at Orange and cover a wide range of subjects as well as the weekly business column. I've worked consistently in the the media industry since 2006 including the past seven years at the Central Western Daily. Before moving to Orange, I worked as a journalist at weekly newspapers the Beaudesert Times and the Gold Coast Sun in Queensland, as well as the Scone Advocate in the Hunter Valley. I started my career at the Ridge News in Lightning Ridge while I completed my journalism studies remotely at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.
