INSPO Fitness Journal May 2017

A GAME
CHANGER
Squash is a sport which appeals to many. It is fast- paced,
intense and offers a solid cardio workout. However Mike
Hill is proof that any age and fitness can take up the sport
and enjoy the benefits.
Mike Hill
The 47-year-old took up squash after
upsizing his label of morbidly obese to
super obese.
He was given professional advice that
for the sake of his health he needed to lose
weight. Part of the solution was his new
found love for squash – his first racket sport
ever played.
“Weighing in at more than 150kg, I was
looking at some serious health effects from
my obesity and possible surgery. A conversation
about how I needed to lose weight to be
around for my wife and two young daughters
gave me a wake-up call,” recalls Mike.
“I started walking and lost a couple of
kilos. Then dropping my girls off to Scouts
one day, I remembered the squash courts
there and thought it could be a great place
to pass some time while waiting the hour for
my girls.”
After having a go, Mike played for three
hours that first day and while it was a huge
amount of fun, he admits he could hardly
move the next day.
“It was a good reminder of how unfit I
was, but also that I still had some muscles
under that fat somewhere.
“After a few days and once the pain had
receded I thought it would be a great sport
to try and lose some weight with, as it was
enough fun that it didn’t feel like it was a
chore.
Mike joined the Waihi Squash Club and
along with a friend started to play twice a
week. After meeting other members he was
soon playing three or four times a week.
Within two months Mike had lost 5kg and
now eight months later a further 15kg.
“It’s been life changing to have some fitness
back and to feel a lot lighter. I’m playing
for between six and 10 hours a week, enjoying
Mike’s five squash tips
1 - it’s fun, without the expensive
gym fee’s and mirrors.
2 - it’s great for weight loss and
fitness while actually having fun.
3 - socially you get to meet a
diverse range of people from all
walks of life.
4 - it constantly challenges you to
become better, to push yourself that
little bit harder each time.
5 - it’s a chance to try something
different, it could be what’s missing
in your life right now so why not
have a go.
it more than ever. I love the fact that the by
product of having so much fun on the court
with the game is losing weight and getting fit.”
Mike has made many new friends and
is now ‘paying it back’ to his Waihi club,
helping spruce up the building and getting
involved with the junior squash programmes,
to share his enthusiasm for the sport.
“I cannot recommend “having a go”
enough. It’s changed my life for the better.
It’s made me fitter, lighter and happier.
“The learning curve for the sport is much
easier to pick up and improving your skills
on the court seem to happen much faster
than other sports I have been involved in.
The people at our club in Waihi have been
first class in welcoming me and teaching me
how to improve and enjoy the game more.
Drop into a club and ask about squash, give it
a good go for a month and see if you end up
as hooked on squash as I have become.”
Master the sport of squash yourself
– you’re never too old to start. If
you’re interested in having a go, visit
squashwaikato.co.nz or contact
Glenda Knox by email development@
squashwaikato.co.nz to find out about
your local club.
your EYES are your advantage
Eye-hand coordination
Peripheral awareness
Visual reaction time
Focusing and tracking
Paterson Burn Optometrists offers specialist
sports vision training to keep you on top
of your game. Find out more and book an
appointment online now.
0800 OPTOMETRIST | www.patersonburn.co.nz
24 INSPO – FITNESS JOURNAL MAY 2017