– encourages healthy eating and daily exercise

By Indrawattie Natram
“WITH the Christmas season approaching, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight, especially since the season is one where there is an abundance of foods and drinks.”
These were the wise words of Qurian Spellen, 30, of Anna Regina Housing scheme. Spellen is the owner of a gym and also a gym instructor by profession.
The mother of two adorable children said she gave up her job in June to open a gym. Her gym is currently located at Barakat Mall at Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, Region Two. Currently, Spellen trains 18 women at various sessions starting as early as 06:30 hours in the morning and as late as 19:30 hours in the night.

Spellen told the Guyana Chronicle that she was inspired to become a gym instructor by her past experiences.
According to Spellen, she had many relationship issues in the past which led to her developing low self-esteem and poor body image. Her body, she said, was very thin and the comments from people really motivated her to start a new career.

Spellen joined Imam Bacchus and Sons Gym in 2018 and was working out by herself. She said she eventually started to gain weight and was further motivated. During her time at the gym, she helped other women who struggled with their weight. Soon after, she realised that she wants to take ‘gyming’ seriously.

With the help of Youtube videos and practice, Spellen became an instructor at Imam Bacchus and Sons Gym, then later moved on to Barakat Gym. She was just instructing and daily, more and more women were joining which served as motivation for her. In June, she quit her job and pooled her resources to buy gym equipment.

“I opened my gym because a lot of women out there feel that when they get a child their life finishes because their body changes. Many of the women have low self-esteem. I enjoy giving advice to women and also show them that life is beautiful,” Spellen said.

Spellen said besides coaching, she also counsels her clients. Women empowerment, she said, is important and she is happy to guide many in the process.

On a daily basis, Spellen works with women, helping them to shed weight and also to gain weight depending on what they require. The gym is also open to men; however, she does not train them. Her clients follow a strict diet plan.

“You can be exercising but if you don’t eat a healthy and small portion then it won’t work, it’s a lot of commitment and determination, you have to start small and eventually you will get that dream body,” Spellen told the Guyana Chronicle.

The special classes offered focus on calorie burning, weights, and yoga. A special package is also available to females who come in a group. To join the gym without an instructor, a client pays $4000, but with an instructor, the price is doubled. The gym currently houses treadmills, dumbbells, abs machines, bicycles, squat bars and yoga mats among others. For those who cannot make it to the gym, she advises to stick to a low carbs diet and to do routine skipping in the evening. A healthy lifestyle will eventually lead to a positive life, Spellen said.