Pink training sessions

FEMALE members of staff at a leading Bahrain company are keeping their minds and bodies in shape with a series of special training sessions and they took this month’s Think Pink message to their hearts ... and their heads.

Donning pink-coloured hijabs the ladies of Gulf Petrochemicals Industries (GPIC) in Sitra were put through their paces during a bi-weekly 45-minute circuit training session which was introduced last year by the company to promote a healthier lifestyle, as reported in GulfWeekly.

Their dedication has now inspired male colleagues to start their own fitness regime that includes playing a variety of sports.

This week the women, encouraged by Think Pink Bahrain’s efforts to promote breast cancer awareness, turned up in pink headscarves and arm bands to show support to the charity. Michelle Deaville-Davies, executive office administrator at the president’s office, who is co-ordinating the health programme, said the group is half-way through its second month of a three-part fitness programme.

She said: “We have been encouraged by GulfWeekly’s articles on breast cancer awareness which have been circulated to all GPIC employees by our onsite doctor Dr Mohamed Jibril Salem.

“This year we decided to do something more difficult and adopt a challenging fitness routine that targets every muscle in our body. We go from station to station and work out our legs, upper body, abdominals, gluteus, hips and also do cardio exercises every Sunday and Wednesday.

“The turnout for classes continues to grow and we want to encourage everyone to do more. The difference this year is that the programme has been expanded to include men who now meet on Mondays and Thursdays.”

Last week’s Think Pink celebration included a healthy buffet around the swimming pool. The group also includes close relatives of former employees who have joined for different reasons. Fatima Ali Thomas, the mother of a former GPIC employee who passed away in service, has brought along her sister-in-law, Eman Yousif Bucheery, who says the classes are helping her to lose weight, socialise and make new friends.

Another keen participant is Fatima Hassan, receptionist and part-time lifeguard at the GPIC club pool. She said: “I have been coming regularly and everyone is very encouraging.”

Employee fires and contract officer, Dana Al Khattal, loves running and uses the classes to keep her fitness levels up. She said: “I am preparing for a marathon and this routine is one of the ways in which I workout and keep fit. It makes me feel good.”

Michelle added: “We have worked very hard and the improvement in the class is quite remarkable. There were many in the group who had never exercised before but now I see them flying around! The newcomers are shown what to do and there is real team spirit amongst the women, which is fantastic.”

To encourage the women, there is a prize for ‘best achiever’ at the end of the programme. Last year all of the participants were given a step, mat and set of hand weights to continue their good work.