Hundreds of F45ers turned out in support of a drive to bring mental health and suicide awareness to light last week.
F45 studios around the country joined together last Friday and Saturday to each attempt to complete 538km on ERG machines, known as rowing machines - one km for every suicide in New Zelaand last year - and then do 3500 burpees, the estimated number of suicide attempts every year.
Tasman joined the initiative for the first time this year, with F45 Nelson, Richmond and Motueka combining forces at F45 Richmond to raise money for the I AM HOPE charity.
F45 Nelson and Richmond managing director, Charlotte Donaldson, says you don’t have to look far to find someone in our community who has been affected by suicide, which was why she knew they had to get involved.
The Tasman studios managed to smash their target, clocking 767km on the ERGs and 3812 burpees.
“It’s just been a sea of bodies doing stuff,” Charlotte says.
A particular favourite, which Charlotte says contributed to much of the 3500 burpee target, was Punish the Trainer, which saw a chance for F45ers to “get back” at their trainers.
For $1 members could buy a burpee or 100m on an ERG for a nominated trainer to complete.
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“There are some very sore bodies today, but that’s the point, right, it’s hurting for those who are hurting.”
Charlotte says they didn’t stop once they had completed the 538km and 3500 targets because “those are the reported numbers and the ones we know about – but there’s always more.”
Donations can be made here.
