Hobart PCYC trials fitness classes in sign language for hearing impaired exercisers

In what is believed to be an Australian first, the gym at the Hobart Police and Community Youth Club (PCYC) is trailing fitness classes in sign language for hearing impaired exercisers.

Led by instructor Jarran Harris, who is deaf, the free classes are being be trialled for six months at the Hobart PCYC, which has received support from the Hobart City Council to establish the classes and provide free membership for participants.

As reported by the ABC, 27-year-old Harris, who was born without hearing, is combining his passion for fitness with his skills in Australian sign language (Auslan) to instruct gym classes for the deaf.

Harris told the ABC “the classes will work exactly the same as a normal gym class but in Auslan.”

Using Auslan, Harris explains the moves along with emphasised expressions.

He believes that deaf people will feel more comfortable participating in classes run by a deaf person, adding “it will break down the barriers.

"I'll be running bootcamp and circuit which involves weight training along with a core workout, whole-body workout and we will use exercise equipment."

There are about 500 deaf people in Tasmania, and one in six of the population are hard of hearing.

Expression Australia Chief Executive Christine Mathieson said deaf and hard-of-hearing people experienced many barriers in daily life, particularly when it came to access to communication and Auslan.

She said the InstructAbility program was great example of making an everyday activity more accessible, commenting "by having a deaf instructor who is fitness industry qualified running classes in Auslan means people can access the program in their native language.”

More information is available from the Hobart PCYC on 03 6230 2246.

Image: Jarran Harris with a kettle bell. Courtesy of the ABC.