The Valleys: the place to train for big challenges!

Preparing for a marathon, triathlon or major hiking adventure takes more than motivation; It takes a training routine that builds strength, improves endurance and supports recovery. At The Valleys Lifestyle Centre, members, visiting groups, and staff are using the centre’s mix of gym, aquatic and fitness services to do exactly that, preparing for milestone events with the right support around them.

The Valleys is an aquatic, fitness, recreation and lifestyle centre, and this can be especially valuable when training for events that demand more from the body. One can build strength in the gym, use treadmills, rowers or bikes for conditioning, and add swimming or water-based recovery to reduce impact on tired joints and muscles.

The different facilities on offer have made a real difference for members like Holly Shadiac, who set her sights on completing an ultra-marathon in New Zealand after recovering from knee surgery. With a history of knee challenges, Holly needed a training approach that balanced ambition with care. Through targeted work focused on strength, stability and mobility, she was able to prepare safely and rebuild confidence in her body. Holly shares:

“Training at Valleys completely changed my confidence. My program was tailored carefully around my knee recovery, focusing on strength, stability and mobility. The PTs understood my injury history and helped me build resilience safely and progressively.”

The tailored approach, combined with staff support and the group environment, helped her stay inspired and trust her preparation.

“The group environment kept me accountable and motivated, especially on the days when doubt crept in. By the time I landed in New Zealand, I didn’t just hope I could complete the trek… I knew I could. The hike was physically demanding, but I felt strong, prepared and capable every step of the way.”

The centre has also supported personal trainer Tash in training for the Sydney Marathon. Her 9 week preparation drew on the full use of the facilities, from treadmill workouts to refine pace and consistent running, to pool sessions for low impact recovery. Finishing in 3 hours and 19 minutes, she placed 891st out of 17,000 runners, ranked 81st among 5,000 women, and claimed an impressive 5th place in the competitive 18–24 age group. These results speak volumes of her structured program of long runs, threshold workouts, and recovery days, all to create the perfect balance of intensity and restoration.

The same approach is helping Sonia, at The Valleys, as she prepares to walk the Kokoda Track; her training reflects what many who visit the centre are working towards, building endurance, strength and resilience for a physically demanding challenge.

Whether the goal is a triathlon, marathon or long-distance trek, it’s no wonder The Valleys Lifestyle Centre is the hub that offers all the facilities needed, plus the practical support at every stage, from training hard to recovering well.