You Won't Believe How Many Americans Are Ignoring Their Health—AREPS Has a Shocking Solution!

The African Register of Exercise Professionals (AREPS) recently held a wellness and fitness event at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, attracting over one hundred participants from various age groups, including both children and adults. This event marks the fourth edition of the initiative since its inception in 2019, with the last gathering occurring in Nakuru. The events have become a platform for fitness trainers, exercise enthusiasts, and other stakeholders to come together and promote wellness.

During the event, participants engaged in a variety of fitness activities such as floor aerobics, taebo, dance fitness, Zumba, katabox, and Strong By, all led by professional trainers from different regions. This diverse range of exercises underscores AREPS's commitment to promoting physical fitness within the community.

AREPS chairperson Wilson Onyango highlighted the organization’s mission to equip sports trainers with essential training techniques while educating the community on the importance of exercise and physical fitness. In an interview with Citizen Digital, Onyango stated, “We realized there's a gap in knowledge of keeping fit, and we took the opportunity to educate trainers in sports and other areas on that important aspect. We started CPR and first aid two years ago, and we aimed to ensure proper first aid treatment in case of injuries in sports.”

Onyango further noted that AREPS has successfully trained hundreds of trainers not only in Kenya but also in neighboring countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. This regional effort showcases the growing recognition of the importance of fitness and wellness across East Africa.

To further encourage physical activity, AREPS is planning to introduce a "Be Active" program aimed at motivating Kenyans to incorporate exercise into their daily lives. Mercy Karathi, an official at AREPS and secretary of the Fitness and Exercise Professional Society of Kenya, emphasized the pressing need for Kenyans to maintain physical fitness, especially given the rise in lifestyle diseases. “It is an individual choice to be fit, and being fit enhances your longevity. You need to incorporate physical exercise every day. Let us be intentional in keeping fit, let us embrace walking, and at least do 10 kilometers a day,” Karathi advised.

In addition to physical activity, Karathi urged attention to nutrition, stating that “it will not be helpful to do physical exercises if [you] observe the wrong diet.” She encouraged a balanced diet comprising carbohydrates, fruits, and proteins, while also highlighting the responsibility of parents to foster healthy habits in their children. “Sadly, many have become ignorant, leaving the children bulk up and grow unfit, ending up with lifestyle diseases while still young,” she lamented.

The conversation around fitness also intersects with mental health, particularly among youth. Karathi stressed the importance of engaging the mind through fitness programs as a means to improve emotional well-being, addressing an increasing concern regarding mental health issues in the younger population.

One participant, Beatrece Undisa, shared her personal journey with fitness, noting that embracing these programs has significantly improved her wellness. Undisa, a mother of three, has also enrolled her children in sports academies to ensure they remain active and discover their talents. “I’ve made progress since I embraced fitness programs three years ago. My main aim is to be fit and healthy, avoiding lifestyle diseases, and I can say it has been really helpful. I urge all Kenyans to embrace the programs and keep fit,” she said.

Looking forward, AREPS aims to certify all trainers by 2030, with the goal of having at least 80 percent of the population actively embracing exercise. This ambitious target reflects a growing recognition of the necessity for fitness education and training in East Africa, as the region grapples with rising health challenges.