Functional Fitness in the Park

In an article published by The Tribune, The Bahamas currently ranks first in the world in diabetes, sixth in obesity, and also is recognized as having one of the worse hypertension rates in the Americas. Quite alarming right?

On 26th July 2018, Atlantic Medical Insurance, Zest Wellness Department hosted its quarterly wellness initiative called “Functional Fitness in the Park.” The event took place at Goodman’s Bay Park, and was open to all AMI insured members.

“Functional Fitness in the Park” is just one of the many initiatives that Atlantic Medical hosts and sponsors to help tackle this alarming statistic, by providing citizens of The Bahamas with the necessary resources to live a healthy lifestyle, and promoting the importance of incorporating physical activity into their daily lives.

Functional fitness exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at work, in sports or even at home; while using various muscles in the upper and lower body at the same time, exercises like these also emphasize core stability.

Interested members RSVP’d for the event, and were very confident doing so, considering the event also accommodated individuals from various age groups, as the invite was extended to kids as young as 10 years of age.

The session commenced sharply at 6:00pm and consisted of a quick warm up routine that comprised of stretching and a light jog. As the summer breeze began to fill the atmosphere and the sun dwindled, the trainers of Evolve Functional Fitness began to ramp up the intensity and push members to achieve their ultimate best.

Atlantic Medical Insurance’s Wellness Coordinator, Donovan Ingraham, stated, “Workouts like Functional exercises helps shift the focus in fitness to a much more practical full body workout. Functional training works by exercising your muscles in a similar way to how your body would be used in everyday life. It’s the type of training that prepares your body for various forms of daily activity and thus, maintains body strength and endurance that can be applied across all areas.”

Donovan added, “This is our 2nd year since we have sponsored the “Wellness in the Park” events for our clients we urge members to take advantage of opportunities like these as we work together to curb this alarming health statistic. The ultimate goal of Zest Wellness is to help change the perception of wellness in The Bahamas to a more holistic approach. Providing wellness events like these, free of charge, grants clients from any walk of life the opportunity to participate in physical activity, that can also be taken home and help the individual to become more of a social change agent with their family as we tackle the obesity level in our country."

Stay tuned to our Zest Wellness Facebook and Instagram accounts to learn when you can sign up for the next Wellness in the Park event.