A family day at the Hockey Centre
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As a family, we Steads have been familiar with the ACT Hockey Centre in Lyneham for years and have watched it transform over that time.
While we have been regular visitors of a Saturday (as my son Georgie’s sleep schedule has allowed) to watch my husband Andrew (AKA Steady) play hockey, we hadn’t really had the opportunity to explore the new services and business that have taken up residence at the centre.
We set out to investigate what’s on offer.
Canberra City Gymnastics Club
While Georgie is no stranger to the Hockey Centre, he is more accustomed to entertaining himself in between cheering opportunities while watching Daddy play (“good goal Daddy!”). He was intrigued to try his first ever experience of gymnastics.
Usually a bit shy in new situations and around new people, he quickly warmed up with the friendly instructors and clear guidance on activities. He even challenged himself, stepping outside his comfort zones climbing all the way up a wall-mounted ladder and balance beam. He loved “nastics” and is eager to go back.
canberracity.gymnastics.org.au | facebook.com/canberracitygymnastics
Evolve – Strength Movement Performance
The workouts continued for the big kids! My husband Andrew trialled a class at Evolve, and had this to share:
“Evolve is owned by Glenn Turner (or as he is better known, GT), a former member of the Australian men’s hockey team, the Kookaburras. Glenn played for Australia on over 120 occasions and scored 93 goals. Needless to say, Glenn has a thorough understanding of how to achieve results and reach your goals in relation to fitness.
“The session was run by Nick, one of the many experienced personal trainers working at Evolve. Something that makes Evolve unique is that its small group sessions are conducted in small teams. This really provides you with extra motivation and encouragement when the going gets tough.
“For this session, we were divided into teams of three (except for me, I was in a team of two with GT, what a stitch up!). We then headed out on a 400-metre warm up run. Once this was completed, we needed to complete three kilometres on the rower in the team. When we were not rowing, we were holding a 20kg barbell over our heads. It was then onto the assault bike, the most dreaded of all cardio equipment.
“As a team, we completed 150 calories whilst the partner was still holding the barbell above their heads when not on the bike. Then it was on to the ski erg for another 90 calories and again with the bar above our head when we weren’t on the ski erg. Finally, to finish off, it was another 400 metre run.
“By the end of the session my shoulders were wrecked and I was a sweaty mess. It was certainly a tough workout, but knowing that we were working as a team really helped to keep me motivated.
“What I really noticed about Evolve is the supportive and inclusive environment—everyone is welcomed and treated the same, whether an elite athlete or someone trying to stay active or lose weight. They have also recently started a fantastic Mums and Bubs group which is gaining new members week by week.”
Wellness Empowerment Collective
While the boys worked it out, I ventured upstairs to a tranquil oasis! Stepping through the doors of the Wellness Empowerment Collective, I was instantly transported. The Collective offers a wide range of services including a salt room, float tanks, cryotherapy and classes.
While I love to work out in the gym, it was fantastic to participate in a yoga class with Ebony Anderson. But first, I had a cryotherapy treatment to my hamstring which I have been rehabbing for a year now. I immediately felt reduced pain and increased flexibility, which was helpful for what was to come!
I have enjoyed yoga for years, alternating between attending classes in person and home-based practice, but Ebony still offered up a challenging class and exposed me to poses I have never even heard of before. It was fantastic to re-centre into my body, to find my edge and push myself to settle into the practice.
Ebony’s guidance is clear to follow and she is encouraging, I thoroughly enjoyed the class and am a huge advocate for mothers and parents to prioritise some time out for their health and wellbeing. For me personally, I know this reinvigorates me to be able give back more in my parenting.
wellnessempowerment.com.au | facebook.com/wellnessempowerment1
Powerhouse Physiotherapy
Downstairs is Powerhouse Physiotherapy, one of the original companies to take up residence at the Hockey Centre. Both Andrew and I have been there for various aches and pains over the years.
Catching up with owner Suzie Goodall about the newcomers to the centre, it’s clear that the services work together as a collective rather than separate companies. Suzie points out that people can come to the centre for treatment at Powerhouse, strengthening at Evolve and rehabilitation at the Wellness Empowerment Collective. The different businesses are often talking amongst themselves, sharing goals and progress for shared clients.
Image by Tim Bean Photography
Community is clearly important for Powerhouse Physiotherapy— they support a wide array of local teams as well as national level. While shying away from the term “one-stop-shop” I can truly see the appeal of what the centre can offer for your overall health and goals.
powerhousephysio.com.au | facebook.com/powerhousephysio
Pick Up Stix
With a super active “threenager”, dinners out as a family are somewhat of a rarity these days. But after a busy day at the Centre we were all hungry, and Pick Up Sticks not only offers a wide array of options for young and old, it also is a family and child friendly environment, already set up with play mats and toys.
Another family with slightly older children were sharing a family game of pool and we felt free of the judgemental looks you might receive with a child playing on the floor at a more formal establishment. This meant that Steady and I could sit and chat while Georgie preoccupied himself with creating train tracks and testing out all the toys.
Georgie devoured a pizza (before it could be captured for the ‘gram!) while the big kids went for fish and schnitzel.
All in all, as a family we had a fantastic day out at the Hockey Centre! It was wonderful to get to explore all the Centre has to offer—we are a proud ACT Hockey family and will definitely be making full use of all the Centre having experienced it fully. Gymnastics 2019—you have a new recruit!
Slider image by Tim Bean Photography.
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