Health, fitness and well-being were at the top of the agenda recently when HM Naval Base Clyde hosted its second annual NAVYFit Festival.
The event, on Wednesday, June 14, was an enormous success featuring dozens of information stalls, sport and activity tasters, as well as advice from health experts.
Hundreds of military and civilian workers took advantage, visiting the Naval Base's Sportsdrome throughout the day to learn more about how they can live a healthy and active lifestyle.
"We began planning the Festival around March this year and it's great to see it all come together today," said Leading Physical Trainer (LPT) Carl Stubbs, who was the lead organiser for the event.
"We contacted all the Royal Navy sports associations and most of them are represented here at the event. The healthy cooking demonstrations using Quorn and the physiotherapists from Lomond Clinic have been particularly popular, along with the Crossfit stand, downhill mountain biking and climbing wall."
He continued: "I would like to thank everyone who attended, both those who are here to provide health and fitness advice, and those who have come along to learn more. Hopefully they will leave with some knowledge, or a new pastime, which will help improve their lives."
Two participants who have travelled from particularly far afield were gym owners Dave Moore and Chris Guyll. Dave, of Dominus Strength and Conditioning in York, and Chris, from BigKat Fitness and Martial Arts Centre in Harrowgate, were demonstrating the benefits of kettlebells.
"The kettlebells are a great endurance and fitness tool and are a lot more versatile than dumbells," explained Dave. "We are both founding members of the Grassroots Kettlebell League and have come to challenge people to give them a try."
"We've been asking people to do as many jerks as they can within five minutes," continued Chris. "It's a fantastic total body workout. It can be quite difficult at first, but it doesn't take long before you experience the results and gain strength and fitness."
Also at the Festival was Paul Winton, Royal Navy Indoor Rowing's manager. Paul had brought along several Concept 2 indoor rowing machines and was challenging Base personnel to cover a much distance as they could in 60 seconds.
"Indoor rowing is a growing sport," said Paul. "It's non-impact and non-weight bearing so it's an ideal way to get and stay fit. Every year there is the World Championships held in Boston in the U.S. and we usually enter a team. Hopefully a few people will take up the sport as a result of today and, who knows, maybe they'll make it to the Championships."
Two new activities represented at the NAVYFit Festival were Pilates and Yoga. Local instructors from Helensburgh and Dumbarton used the Sportsdrome's squash courts to teach visitors the basics.
Another first was the Crossfit stand, with Karen Gallagher delivering lessons on Olympic lifting and gauging the level of interest for future Crossfit lessons at the gym.
Meanwhile, in the building's second gymnasium there were boxing lessons, information on skiing, cricket, Jiu-Jitsu demonstrations and Petty Officer Chris Culvert from Royal Navy and Royal Marine Angling who was explaining the joys of fishing and highlighting some of the huge discounts available to those interested in joining.
The Naval Base's Campbell Robinson and Fiona MacLeod were also at the event, representing the Clyde Carer's Forum.
"One in four of us will become carers at some point, and one in five will require caring," said Campbell. "The forum has been formed as a networking opportunity for those who work at the Base and who have responsibilities as carers. We meet regularly to exchange useful information about some of the help which is out there."
Other stalls included HM Naval Base Clyde's Chaplaincy, Department of Community Mental Health, the Base's Dental Department, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), Crossfit, Kayaking, Powerlifting, Olympic Lifting, Surfing, Stand-up Paddleboarding, as well as the ever popular indoor climbing wall.
