THIRTY-NINE-year-old Lear Goring a former bodybuilder and the proprietor of Bodymax Gym, located at the corner of Croal Street and Boyle Place, said his aim is to see Guyanese eat and think healthy, which in the long run will enable them to fight non-communicable diseases such as obesity. “First of all, I always wanted to get involved with the management of a gym, both physically and nutritionally, so when the opportunity arose with regard to Bodymax, I took advantage of it since it was a very lucrative deal for a place located in a prime location with everything being in place already.
For me personally, I have always been associated with physical health while being a health conscientious individual, looking at what you must eat along with exercises and this was an added plus for me when I took up ownership of Bodymax Gym, less than three weeks ago,” said Goring.
Touching on the eating habits of Guyanese, Goring said these have changed tremendously especially with the introduction of the American-based fast food franchises, which are frequently visited by Guyanese and which contribute a lot to the health risks of our young people.
“I am sure that down the line, we will have to make some adjustments in the health sector, paying attention to non-communicable diseases such as obesity because the food make-up which America has for some 10 to 15 years ago, they just started to address that.
“During that time, the men had to be healthy; unfortunately for Guyana, we did not catch up with it and everything played out with the young people, starting from what they are involved with, especially sports.
“For men, it is a normal thing for them to be involved with soccer, basketball and other physically related sports but for the opposite sex, it was a challenge, hence eating healthy is very important at all times.”
Goring said at Bodymax, persons will be entering a facility which will guide them to a healthy living and eating lifestyle, something that has been spoken of by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, with corporate and regular rates being made available to prospective members.
“Bodymax will not only be there for persons to come and exercise or lift weights to get muscular, but we will be providing nutritional facts on the foods you can eat, supplying a personal menu to those who are interested, telling them what to eat and how to eat it.
“We are not saying that you should not eat your favourite foods, but what we will be saying to you is how much of it you should eat and at what time, especially after you would have had an intense workout in the gym,” said Goring.
He added: “Nutrition is very important to bodybuilding and life on the whole and with that in mind, Bodymax has four qualified trainers on hand to assist and offer advice to our clientele who requires so, even on a personal basis as well, as our aim is to make sure you are comfortable with your workout schedule.
“Prior to offering admission, we conduct certain health checks, enquiring about your heart and blood pressure condition etc, as that will enable our trainers to work out your schedule along with a diet after you have finished.”
He believes that physical health is a 24-hour activity, where some people can eat and exercise healthily all day round and one day he hope to have the doors at the gym open on a 24-hour basis, just to facilitate such individuals, as is done in North America.
With the aim of making 2012 ‘Keep Guyana Fit’ year, Goring said he is introducing weight training with aerobics, abdominal classes and Brazilian martial arts and physical fitness routines in the gym. He is pleased with the response shown by the public during the first month of operation.
Quizzed on whether he would be sending some of his athletes who are affiliated to the gym to compete in bodybuilding competitions organised by the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF), Goring who himself is a former athlete of the sport, said yes without hesitation.
He also plans to open a restaurant where members of the gym and the public can access healthy foods made from products of Guyana. He urged the public to take advantage of his rates which are $3 500 for 10 persons (Corporate) and $4 500 (regular) per month, with gym card being issued at a price of $500.