Wild Flower Fitness faces up to activity challenges in rural Australia

With people living in rural areas having, on average, shorter lives and a higher risk of mental and physical illness than those in major cities, keeping fit can be a major challenge.

Mindful of the fitness challenge facing outback Australia, Jacque Ogilvy's Wild Flower Fitness Australia business tours regional Australia, teaching women from farms and stations how to keep fit where they are, without the support of personal trainers or gyms.

Ogilvy grew up on a cattle station in central Australia, and went on to become a nurse and fitness instructor.

Aware of the many barriers to physical fitness on farms, Ogilvy told the ABC "one of the big issues if you live out bush or even in small towns is the lack of resources.

"If you've got any injuries or you've not done much exercise before, you may not have someone to show you what to do and support you.

"In the big cities it's very trendy to go to the gym, whereas it's not so much of thing out here."

While farm work is often physically demanding, Ogilvy said cardiovascular and muscle strengthening activity was often neglected.

She explained "if you're running water, you might sit in a car for hours, get out and lift something heavy, then get back in the car

"Some people spend a lot of time indoors, governesses and things like that — they spend a lot of time sitting down.

"If you're a camp cook, you'll be on your feet a lot, but not necessarily doing physical work."

Ogilvy works mostly with women because she said they were usually the ones asking for advice, but men were increasingly becoming aware of the need to keep fit.

She added "there's no doubt that women are more likely to seek out those options.

"But I've had more and more questions, usually from people's wives, and usually focused on back pain, a little about weight loss, and some questions about what to do as people get older and their joints are getting a bit sore.

"I'm hoping, with the younger generations coming through that is going to change. It's a bit trendier to work out now.

"Exercise isn't terrible, it doesn't have to be the death of you. You can just do something small and it can be a real positive in your life."

Top tips for fitness on the farm from Wild Flower Fitness Australia

• Work out what your needs are - back pain, mental health and relaxation, weight loss
• Come up with a plan to help you build healthy habits
• Just 10 minutes a day will make a difference

For more information go to www.wildflowerfitnessaustralia.com

Top images shows Jacque Ogilvy demonstrating squats on a cattle grid. (Images courtesy Wild Flower Fitness Australia/Facebook).

25th May 2016 - SPORTS INJURY HOSPITALISATIONS HIGHER IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

11th February 2016 - FITNESS INSTRUCTOR NUMBERS SET TO GROW BY UP TO 50% IN FIVE YEARS

10th May 2015 - COUNTRY TOWN FITNESS FRANCHISE GETS THE BLUES

1st October 2014 - GOLDFIELDS OASIS WINS SECOND FITNESS AUSTRALIA GOLD AWARD