‘Good morning-a, Beautiful People! Happy Tuesday to you’ The sound echoes into the exercise room to all four corners. The room itself has transformed into a Parcour from left to right and back to front. And then we do it again. It’s two for one Tuesday.

Veronica’s charming Italian accent is unmistakable as she continues. ‘10 exercises, three sets, three pods, and three people per exercise is what we have today, hooray! Gym talk has its own lingo.

Some murmurs of halted excitement go on as we start with our warm-up routine. It’s 09:00 am and the room is filled with Tribal Challengers from the Camden Haven area.

The vast majority is female, which makes up another fully booked classroom. I am one of the very few men and most likely the youngest in this ‘Novice Exercise Class’. Everyone is eager for another personal challenge, which takes commitment and dedication.

Sure, it would be nice to sit by the river with a coffee in hand. But not for the next 60 minutes. Veronika walks over to our first pit stop and explains exactly what muscles are targeted and how to achieve this drill.

‘Exercise Number One; Dumbbell Sumo Squats;

Keep your feet wider than your shoulders and turn your toes outwards on a 45-degree angle. Keep your arms straight and drive your hips slightly backward. Go down with your hips,’

If there was one thing that wasn’t on my bucket list, it was going to the gym. I could never quite comprehend, why you drive your car to meet Jim and hop onto a bike to warm up.

‘10 more seconds, beautiful people. You got this’.

Some gymnasiums even have elevators?

‘Three, two, and one! Let’s move on to exercise number two’,

‘Here we have rowing machines.

Keep your back straight and use the full length of your upper body. Active break means to keep rowing at lesser strength.’

Watching the movie ‘Dodgeball’ didn’t improve my chances of joining a testosterone-driven environment either. Look at me, look at my guns. Ben Stiller does an excellent job to portray on what may go on in huge Gym complexes. That’s just not my scene. It is a hilarious movie though.

‘Exercise Number Three! Kettlebell Swing.

Keep your legs wider than your shoulder and start driving your upper torso forwards and slightly downwards. Keep your arms straight and use the momentum of the weight using your hips to generate.

Veronika continues and explains each workout very well and points out body posture and positioning of weights or other appliances.

But just opposite ‘Global Gym’ was a little social hall called ‘Average Joe’s’. It is equipped with weights and an exercise kit.

Good enough for a decent workout, but small enough to socialize.

And socializing is a big part of this little ‘Tribe’ here in Laurieton.

‘We have the means and knowledge to train you. How you utilize techniques and fitness is up to you. Only you can push yourself as far as you want to.’ Steve-o said. Just remember to breathe.

‘Exercise Number Four, we have everyone’s favorite;

Burpees! Also known as push-ups, keep your bottom up.’

New owners Veronika and Steve are both passionate about fitness and met in Sydney during covid times. Their healthy vision and life combined here on the Mid-North Coast, where Steve’s family lives. Family, friends, and local communities pitched in to get this Tribe rolling. First slowly, then steadily, and now with momentum.

Locals are tugging into exercise, many classes are booked out in advance. A five am session is planned to stretch early morning demand.

10 more seconds before we move on, beautiful people.

‘Exercise Number Five! Roller coaster!

Burpee position, roll forward and backward as far as you can, using your core muscles rather than your biceps.’

Considering myself fairly fit and active, I never thought that I would have the time and patience to be indoors on a sunny day. In fact, I pride myself on my hobbies and activities being my outdoor gym classes.

The outdoor world is my oyster and keeps me going anywhere I want to, which is still my direction.

I enjoy cycling around with my camera in tow, there are always photo opportunities.

Or to explore the waterways on my kayak. And if I am lucky enough, I catch a decent fish.

Not to forget work, which is incredibly active and physically demanding.

Three, Two, and One! Moving on beautiful people, you got this!

Exercise number Six, Weight lifting;

Squat position, push up with knees, Straight torso and elbows

What changed my mind about joining a gymnasium, or in particular ‘Tribal Gym’ in Laurieton? A friendly and happy ‘Hello’ was a fabulous start. Plus, one undeniable fact of getting older is that your body is getting older. We’re getting complacent about who we are and where we are. Muscles, bones and the mind take longer to stretch and warm up, which often results in not doing it at all. And the more often we decline any physical actions, it snowballs into a getting old stage. We are wealthy but we are not healthy. Robot mowers and hoovers waiting at home for our return? Pick me, pick me…

The thing is, it doesn’t have to be much exercise at all. 10 minutes of exercise here and there equals 20 minutes of doing nothing nowhere.

Exercise Number Seven; Battleship ropes.

In squat position, keep elbows locked and twist away. Yay.

The human body is incredibly complex, muscles twist and join here and there. The benefit of joining exercise classes is that different muscles are targeted in different sessions. It’s a constructive build-up. The danger of using weights and machines is that some muscles are overtrained, whilst others aren’t at all. This causes an imbalance in that body part, and an imbalance isn’t good anywhere. I noticed straight away how unbalanced my body was after a few easy exercises and I was stunned.

Exercise Number Eight, Isometric Hamstring stretches using a Swiss Ball,

Heels on the ball, push hips up, move the ball forward and backward again, harder with one leg,

A very shellfish reason for me to join this gym is the use of the hot shower as well.

A Vagabond’s life is challenging in many ways and personal hygiene is even more important when living in that confined space. Cold showers on cold winter days are something to get used to. Brrrr…

Then there is the social aspect to meet and greet locals. How was your weekend?

Exercise Number Nine; Russian Twists.

Nastrovije. From Russia with love. sitting on the mat, knees up, torso back. Twist a kettlebell from the left side of your body to your right side and back again.

Variety is another important factor for me, which is what you get right here at ‘Tribal Gym’.

One can exercise till your heart is content on various machines and equipment upstairs. There are also various classes at various times with various trainers. One can’t get more variety than that.

Australian-born, but with Uruguayan heritage, Steve-o is the man in charge of the early morning hours. His South American temperament hits full steam at 06:00 am sharp. Often with a coffee in his hand and a smirk on his face.

‘Ladies and Gentleman!‘ Today we have 12 exercises, 3 pods, 3 repeats, and then we do it over again. Let’s get moving people.’

He is just a big softie, but that’s what this adrenaline-pumping workout is for. The early morning class is a great way to start your working day. A good workout and sweat-out is guaranteed for a mostly younger and fitter group. These are the ones that are still working. If you wish, you can repeat or choose the late afternoon exercise classes after work.

The mid-morning classes are usually held by Italian-born personal trainer Veronica. These are at a slower pace and impact but are just as beneficial. Classes range from resistance training, HIIT classes, Zumba, and Pilates.

Living the Life of Riley, he decided in his young years to become a personal trainer. Riley will show you how to train each muscle on machines upstairs. He does motivate in classes on the ground level just as well. He had meanwhile left to join the Air Force.

Adding to this international equipe is Steph, the Tribe’s Canadian influence, eh? As a busy mum, she fills in here and there to keep all members just as happy and entertained.

A new addition to this team is a wee lifewire. Sarah is Canadian just as well and has been running a few early morning exercise classes on Fridays. Her sparkling attitude reflects onto the classroom.

Exercise Number 10, Dumbell front raises.

Lock your shoulders and keep your chest open. Lift the dumbells in a front line, maintaining your arms straight and elbows slightly bent

Last but not least, I have learned a few things.

I learned that by just moving your pinky (finger) the whole complexity of an exercise changes. Cheers Riley.

I also learned that ‘Kettlebells’ don’t ring in afternoon tea.

But most importantly I learned that Veronika and Steve, and everyone involved, will do their very best to make you uncomfortable in a comfortable way. Or is it the other way around? It is up to you how you use their showroom and knowledge.

‘Three, two, and one. Well done everyone, this is it for today. Have a funtastic day.’

And most certainly; There’s always a positive vibe within this tribe, which leaves me with a sweaty smile on my dial.

Once I catch my breathe.

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