Danielle Fisher has a passion for health and fitness and is hoping to get more community members into YMCA Oberon Fitness Centre.
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The 22-year-old local is a new face to the centre after recently joining in a customer service role, but is working towards becoming a qualified personal trainer and swim teacher.
"I've been working here for about a month now and it's been really good, I really like it," she said.
Fisher is studying online with Vast Fitness to acquire her PT qualifications and is also taking on swim teaching to upskill from her time as a lifeguard.
"My plan is to develop with my role and become a PT in the next few weeks and I've got a few practical sessions to finalise my swim teaching so I'm looking forward to stepping up and helping out," she said.
Already in her day-to-day roles she is enjoying interacting with clients and helping them become the best versions of themselves.
"I love interacting with members the most and assisting where I can. It's important to talk to people at the gym and not just stand behind a desk, there's a lot more to it," she said.
Fisher grew up in Oberon and felt 'lucky' to be able to assist her community with their physical and mental wellbeing.
"I'm really lucky to be able to do what I love in my hometown, I grew up here and went to school here and I want to get more people here [the gym] and use this great facility," she said.
The Fitness Centre has only been in operation since August 2020 and Fisher said it was a long time coming.
"We waited so long for a gym to be in Oberon so it's important that the community feels comfortable to use this facility. I know there can be a stigma about coming into a gym and it can be scary but here we go that extra step to make people feel welcome," she said.
Fisher encouraged Oberon residents to pop into the Fitness Centre and join up especially after the COVID lockdown and heading into the new year.
"I want to help get more people into our gym and take advantage of what's on offer here," she said.
Group fitness leader and acting manager Dave Sellers said he was excited to have Fisher on board and also encouraged more people to join the centre.
"Membership has been pretty average. As we head into the new year people will be looking for those new year's resolutions so we're encouraging the people of Oberon to come in and sign up and get on track," he said.
He said it was important for people to look after themselves both physically and mentally.
"Obviously the physical benefits everyone knows about but I think mental benefits as well, because everyone has been struggling a bit after lockdown and exercise is probably the most underrated mental health tool you've got, I would really encourage people to come in," he said.
Pending Government regulations, Sellers said he was ready to welcome back unvaccinated members from December 15.
"As long as the Government restrictions don't change, we're ready to welcome back everyone with open arms and get to work over Christmas," he said.
He said it was also good to be back into the swing of things post lockdown and things were looking up.
"It feels good to be able to get back into day-to-day life really and get everyone back into the gym and working on their fitness goals," he said.
The Fitness Centre will be open every day except for Christmas Day and will have restricted hours on the public holidays from 9am-1pm.
"We're open other than those small changes, so people can come work off those Christmas calories if they want to," Sellers said.
Sellers said the gym will also be having its Christmas party on December 17 from 5pm with a bootcamp, train the staff, drinks and good company.