Health, fitness and an unforgettable view

IT would be fair to say that Blackwood resident Luke Dee has the best workplace anyone could wish for.

That workplace, the Blackwood Community Gym, looks out over the picturesque local recreation reserve and cricket ground, making going to work an absolute pleasure for the strength and rehabilitation specialist.

Mr Dee, who established the gym after settling in Blackwood with his wife Vena Osman, said he sometimes looked up from working with someone and had to take a moment to simply enjoy the view and the atmosphere.

Both Mr Dee and Ms Osman describe the surroundings as being close to a paradise.

“During Covid I was looking for a new place to work, because this is what I’ve done for 25 years,” Mr Dee said of his motivation in setting up the facility.

He and Ms Osman had rented a place in Blackwood, and Mr Dee quickly realised there was no real gymnasium within 30 minutes of the township.

Finding a spot for the gym took some time, but the local cricket club helped to arrange space under the reserve pavilion. It opened for public use in December last year.

Equipment includes dumbells, a cable machine, two boxing bags, battle ropes, an assault bike, a reverse hyperextension apparatus, two power cages, a deadlift space… and a fresh water supply.

“The whole thing was around Blackwood having a gym, irrespective of me being around or not,” Mr Dee said. “It’s going really well. Everyone seems to like what I’m doing.”

Mr Dee may also offer a boxing class if there is enough demand.

Formerly of Melbourne, Mr Dee has worked in gyms since the age of 18 when he started as a personal trainer, but now focuses on rehabilitation and strength work.

He is primarily helping people to cope with pain by developing their strength, mobility and long-term wellbeing, with an emphasis on keeping movement fluid and maintaining personal independence.

He said he tries to help people by explaining how the body works and guiding them in helping themselves.

“Your muscles support your joints; your joints aren’t supposed to take load, so when your muscles are functioning properly you get separation in the joints, so it (the body) starts to move the way it’s supposed to move,” he said.

“Weak muscles get tight so then the joint gets locked down. It starts to rub on itself and that’s what you get pain from.”

Apart from Mr Dee’s work, the gym is open for anyone to use as they pursue personal fitness or health goals.

The only costs are an annual $100 membership fee to help cover insurance and just $3 each time someone turns up to use the equipment.

It is open from 6am to 8pm six days a week, closing only on Saturdays when the cricket club is using the reserve.

“There are 300 people in town; we’ve gotten 15 sign-ups and probably 20 users,” Mr Dee said.

The gym and its availability is spreading primarily through word of mouth, although it has a Facebook page called Blackwood Gym and inquiries can be made by texting 0436 317 443.