South Auckland gym owner wins $50,000, offers free fitness classes to 100 people

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

Hi neighbours,

A south Auckland gym owner has started an initiative to promote health and wellbeing in his community after winning $50,000.

Papatoetoe resident Alan Leuluai, 56, owns the Anytime Fitness gym in Manukau, and is one of the ten nationwide recipients of the AIA Vitality Business and Community Grant Initiative.

The initiative offers grants to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities.

Leuluai has created a 12-week fitness programme targeted at Māori and Pasifika people.

The programme includes free access to the gym for 12 weeks, access to a personal trainer, three fitness classes and a workshop on nutrition.

It will be offered to 100 people, who will also receive a 50 percent gym membership discount if they refuse to give up and “show grit and determination” over the 12 weeks.

The standard membership fee is $17 a week.

Leuluai said costs are a big barrier that prevent people from getting into fitness.

“We want to tackle obesity because it is the root cause of many problems in our community, like diabetes and high blood pressure,” he said.

“If we get some families into a healthy routine of exercising that can have a ripple effect in the rest of the community.”

The grants competition is run by AIA New Zealand, a leading life insurance specialist.