Fitness club caters for special needs

NEWLY-REFURBISHED facilities and equipment have been made available to accommodate the training of people with special needs at D’ Dial Fitness Club, Long Circular Mall, St James.

This was the result of a partnership between the Digicel Foundation Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) programme and Limitless Fitness, owned by Gerard and Nirala Alfonso. The couple has been working towards assisting people with special needs through their foundation, Peyton’s Light.

The Alfonsos, who are advocates promoting the inclusion and provision of adequate assistance for people with special needs, were presented with the grant for US$5,000 earlier this year. The funds were used to create ramp access for wheelchairs as well as to procure speciality equipment.

Members of the Special Olympics of TT (SOTT) powerlifting team have benefited from the speciality equipment, as they train for the upcoming World Games to be held in Abu Dhabi next year.

The team’s coach Richard Johnson said in a media release, “These new facilities have been crucial in the team’s preparation for World Games and have made it possible for some of the athletes to effortlessly lift an impressive 325 pounds.”

Limitless Fitness was thrilled to have the opportunity, through the EPIC grant, to provide these services and looks forward to implementing further support mechanisms for people with special needs in the future, the release said.

The Alfonsos were especially grateful to the new owners of the D’ Dial Fitness Club for the support they provided in the continuity of this initiative.