Our Communications Manager recently met up with Paula at Get active @ Northfield to have a relaxed and informal chat about her fitness journey with Sport Aberdeen.

Paula is down to earth and is beaming with positivity, she is so motivated for fitness and life in general and still maintains this attitude whilst overcoming health challenges in her personal life. Her determination and passion for attending the gym and fitness classes was evident right away.   

Paula’s day job relates to health and fitness, she is a physiotherapy healthcare support worker – working in the trauma orthopaedics department and teaching people how to walk again. If you are ready to feel inspired, then read on…

Q. When did you first become a member at Sport Aberdeen?

I first became a member at Sport Aberdeen about four or five years ago.

I used to go along to Get active @ Alex Collie as a pay and play customer, and then I joined Get active @ Jesmond after it was refurbished.

Q. What inspired you to join?

I felt inspired by my eldest son – he started going to the gym and I noticed that he became more confident. He’d come home from the gym in a great mood, so once my children had grown up, it inspired me to join.

Seeing the difference in my son’s confidence and self-esteem really made me realise the mood-enhancing benefits of exercise.

I’ve since inspired one of my friends to join the gym with me too.

Q. Which venue do you usually work out at?

I tend to use different venues to mix it up, I’ve started going to Get active @ Northfield since it opened which I’m enjoying.

It’s great because I’ve built up lots of friend circles so it’s nice catching up with them at different venues.

Q. Tell us a bit about your fitness journey – when did you start?

I have always had an interest in walking, I’d often go out for long walks with one of my sons. I was in a car accident in 2017 which caused sciatica on the left side of my body – it took me a whole year before I was able to sit down again.

Despite this, I was still motivated to come to the gym and going along to fitness classes actually helped with my physical recovery and it improved my mindset.

One of the fitness class instructors Nicola modified everything for me and gave me alternative variations of the exercises to do during the classes. Nicola was such a great support to me so that I was still able to enjoy getting active.

I recently came along to the member photoshoot at Get active @ Northfield before the venue opened to the public in October – at this point I was four weeks post-op after being diagnosed with cancer.

Since then, I am completely of the belief that you have got to grab life with both hands and absolutely go for it!

I help to keep my Mum active by always parking at the back of the car park when we go to the supermarket, a small gesture like this goes a long way and helps her to get more steps in.

Q. How regularly do you train?

I usually attend fitness classes four days a week and I would normally do two or three classes minimum per visit. Some of the classes I enjoy are Body Attack, HIIT Step, Abs Blast and Indoor Cycling, but I’m pretty keen to give any class a go really.

Currently on a Monday night I go to Body Pump, Abs Blast then Aqua Zumba at Get active @ Northfield.

Q. What changes have you noticed? How do you feel?

I feel amazing – regular exercise makes you feel great! I’ve totally built up an appetite for attending the classes, so I feel the excitement of wanting to go back again the week after. Even the music makes you feel good.

And my circle of friends only gets bigger, I’m always meeting or chatting to someone new. The social side of attending the gym or classes is ace, although I’m happy to attend alone or with friends.

Q. What would be your advice for someone else looking to start their fitness journey?

I’d say to try out a fitness class first so you can enjoy the social aspect. It is cliché but you do only live once, so try everything!

Getting out there and into the gym will help you to meet new people and grow your confidence – just go for it! It’s completely fine to take things at your own pace as well.

Q. What is your ultimate fitness goal?

I wouldn’t say I have one single fitness goal as such, I like to keep consistent and attend my usual fitness classes.

I’m motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle and I know that regular exercise is a key component of this.

After the holidays end, I’m always so ready to get back to the gym and go to classes.

Q. Anything else to add?

Come over and say hello to me when you join! 😄