Lifestyle community Halcyon Parks Caloundra has employed the help of personal trainer Daphnee Bernard whose twice weekly sessions have become a hit with 20 of the community’s home owners.

With a background in dancing and cross-country running, Daphne left her job as an event planner to follow her passion for personal training which led her to Halcyon Parks.

Sessions with home owners are aimed at improving the mind, body and spirit and focus on strength and conditioning, dance, balance, weights and aqua aerobics.

According to Daphne, whilst the physical benefits are great - improved strength, falls prevention and reducing the risk of dementia she loves witnessing the increase in her clients’ confidence and energy -citing one resident who recently celebrated his birthday by skydiving! The classes have also become a social gathering.

Irene White, a self-confessed former ‘lounge lizard’ is one of Daphnee’s biggest advocates, motivating others, including her husband Jim to get involved in the classes. “I don’t ache as much, I’m nimbler and I can do a lot more without hurting,” she said.

For those residents considering joining the classes, Daphne’s advice is “just take that first step and attend one class and see how it will change your life”.