The fourth and final week of the 31 Days of Activity went out with a bang as Goers and their families took advantage of the huge range of activities on offer, finishing the month by trying something new and pledging to continue their active adventures well into 2016.

Find out more about each activity below.

A massive thanks to our activity hosts for putting on such fantastic sessions over the entire month.

Fire up your Metabolism | Martial Arts Open Day | Introductory Road and Track Cycling Skills | Come & Try Rowing | Come Try Stand Up Paddleboarding | Triathlon Taster for Beginners | Ladies Only Circuit Class | Athletica | Physio Stretching Class | Come and Try Karting | Get Active Women & Girls Expo

Day 22: Fire up your Metabolism

Goers learned about the importance of real food and metabolic efficiency testing (MET) for fat loss and performance in two sessions hosted by The Natural Nutritionist and Hardcore Brands.

In presentations at the Mercure Townsville, The Natural Nutritionist Steph Lowe explained how specific testing could personalise your nutrition and training and accelerate your goals, whether it’s losing weight or achieving a unique performance edge. There was a real-life demo in each session where a lucky Goer got to find their Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) — a key for both becoming leaner and being able to ultimately improve endurance.

Get involved in 2016: The Natural Nutritionist is returning to Townsville on March 5 for face-to-face meetings. It’s also possible to determine your RMR, VO2 Max and VO2 Sub-Max locally with Hardcore Brands now offering Metabolic Efficiency Testing (the commercially-available equipment of this kind north of Brisbane). Find out more here: http://www.hardcorebrands.com.au/blogs/news/80196611-how-met-helps-you-lose-weight-or-improve-athletic-performance.

Day 23: Martial Arts Open Day

There was something for everyone as Goers stepped outside of their comfort zones at the Oceanic Martial Arts Academy Open Day.

In classes run throughout the morning, Goers of all ages tried Karate, Muay Thai kickboxing, Stick Fighting and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a fun, and family-orientated environment — some finding that they were instantly hooked.

In each session, participants were taught the basics of a few different moves and were able to then practice with a trained instructor or experienced member of the centre, making it much easier to learn the new skills.

Our co-founder Katrina — who had never attempted anything like this before — tried the female Muay Thai session and the Adults Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) session. “I can barely walk today,” she laughs. “My entire body hurts so much, but in a good way! It was a huge core workout and everyone was super-friendly and helpful.

“I think martial arts is the kind of thing that people need to try to see if they like it. I didn’t think I’d enjoy BJJ, but I’m hooked now and can’t wait to go back!”

Get involved in 2016: Oceanic Martial Arts Academy offers a free one-week trial where you can come try as many sessions as you like. Find out more here: http://www.ohaf.com.au/.

Day 24: Introductory Road and Track Cycling Skills

It was all about expanding on existing riding skills and netting new ones in a safe and pressure-free environment in these cycling skills sessions.

In the morning, Goers took to the Townsville Kart Club Track to pick up some road riding tips from Townsville Cycle Club, the coaches at Run ‘N’ Ride and the likes of National Road Series (NRS) reining champion Ruth Corset and professional rider Amy Cundy.

Cornering, braking and selecting correct gear ratios were the main topics covered, along with general safety and bunch riding rules.

In the afternoon, track cycling was in the spotlight. Booming in popularity from the volume and calibre of junior track riders involved, Townsville Velodrome hosted some newbies who were keen to see what it was like to belt around the sloping track with no brakes or gears. All did impressively well and proved what a great form of cross-training this activity is for current riders.

Get involved in 2016: Stay tuned for other Come Try sessions throughout the year. Find out more about Townsville Cycle Club here: http://www.townsville.cycling.org.au/.

Day 25: Come & Try Rowing

Goers got introduced to the physicality and technique associated with the exhilarating sport of rowing.

In this session hosted by the Townsville & JCU Rowing Club, participants were paired with experienced rowers and given in-depth technique and posture instruction before hitting Ross River.

A common comment was surprise that, with the correct technique, it wasn’t the arms that felt this activity — it was the legs!

Get involved in 2016: JCU & Townsville Rowing Club has a Learn to Row course coming up on February 13 — great if you’re looking for a fun social activity, plus also the chance to take it up a notch and compete. The course is just $160, which includes eight training sessions over four weekends. Find more info here.

Day 26: Come Try Stand Up Paddleboarding

It was the perfect way to kickstart Australia Day when Goers took to Ross River to try the world’s fastest growing watersport of Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP).

After getting a run-down about how to kneel and stand up on the boards, participants went for a spin, enjoying the challenge of staying on the board (which most achieved!) and working the core.

Get involved in 2016: Come along to one of the Townsville SUP Club’s Wednesday or Saturday social paddles. Find out more here: https://thegotownsville.com.au/event/townsville-sup-club-wednesday-social-paddle-ross-river/all/ or on their Facebook page.

Day 27: Triathlon Taster for Beginners

The sport of triathlon is booming and a dozen Goers got to experience why. Free Radicals Triathlon Club hosted a free session at VéloWorX where participants got to swim-bike-run in a supportive environment.

The group was split into two — half on the Wattbikes (that are designed to improve pedal stroke and performance) and half in the swimming pool (which has an Endless Pool system for comprehensive stroke analysis) — then everyone came together at the end for a stair-running session at Jezzine Barracks.

Get involved in 2016: Free Radicals Tri Club has Pink Lady and Blue Boyz triathlon training series this year, which are designed to get newbies into the sport, offering you all the support and coaching you need. Find out more here: http://freeradicalstribe.com.au/. Learn more about VeloWorx and how you can improve your pedal and swim stroke.

Day 28: Ladies Only Circuit Class

It was all about squats, lunges, kettlebell swings and mountain climbers as female Goers got active and tried something new at Body Torque Health & Fitness’ Ladies Only Circuit Class.

After a warm-up outside, participants returned to the air-conditioned comfort of Body Torque’s new Charters Towers gym to work their way through 10 different exercises — each with varying degrees of repetition and modifications to suit different levels of fitness.

Get involved in 2016: Head along to Body Torque and mention you’re a Goer to get your class for free (if you’re a first-timer). Check out the timetable and find out more about the new facility here: http://www.bodytorquefitness.com.au/classes.html

Day 29: Athletica

Goers got a taste of F45 Training Townsville City’s flagship high-intensity cardio workout — Athletica.

What is F45 we hear you ask? Said to be one of the most innovative, challenging and systemised team training workouts in the world, F45 has struck a cord with celebrities and day-to-day folk alike due to its efficient 45-minute format and foundations based on movement that we use on a daily basis (hence the ‘F’ or ‘Functional’ part of ‘F45’).

F45 has 18 different styles of programs and workouts, but Athletica is a winning combination — this 45-minute, high-intensity cardio session turns metabolisms into a fat-melting oven. Nice!

This activity was modified and held at The Strand while F45 Townsville City waits for its new facility to be completed, so it was a great way for Goers to have a sneak peek into this global movement.

Get involved in 2016: F45 Townsville City is offering a two-week free trial to all Goers once the new facility on Flinders Street is opened. Like their Facebook page to stay up to date.

Day 30: Come and Try Karting

There were plenty of thrills, and even celebratory hugs as Goers exercised their need for speed and completed a few hot laps of Townsville Kart Club’s racetrack.

With participants divided into age ranges — cadets (7-12 years), juniors (13-15 years) and adults (16 years plus) — they were all briefed by the club, given safety gear, and then matched to a kart of a suitable speed before taking to the Shaws Road track.

Most Goers had never tried karting before, and some were nervous about their racing debut. But emerging after their laps, most were buzzing and pumped about coming back to have another go and build their skills and confidence in this family-friendly environment.

Get involved in 2016: Townsville Kart Club will be offering additional Come and Try Days in the future. Like the club’s Facebook page to be one of the first to know when dates are announced: https://www.facebook.com/Townsville-Kart-Club-119690708068708/?fref=ts

Day 30: Physio Stretching Class

Goers stretched themselves from top-to-toe in this one-hour session that was suitable for people of all activity levels.

A & I Physio Clinic hosted two back-to-back sessions in its air-conditioned Fulham Road studio, with the class introducing participants to a combination of pressure releases and various medically-endorsed stretches.

Get involved in 2016: A&I; Physio is offering the chance to try a class for free in February as part of its second birthday celebrations (limited to one per person). Check out the timetable here and call to book your spot, mentioning that you are a Goer: http://www.aihealth.com.au/contact-us/class-schedule.php

Day 31: Get Active Women & Girls Expo

Goers — including entire families, mothers and daughters, friends and teammates — flocked to Townsville City Council’s inaugural Get Active Women and Girls Expo on Sunday.

With most attendees looking for a new active pursuit to try themselves or suggest for another family member, there were countless options on offer — everything from martial arts, hockey, dragon-boating and cheerleading, to basketball, rock climbing, horse riding, rugby union, and tai chi — and everything in-between.

There were stalls with active information at one side of Townsville RSL Stadium, and the other side was dedicated to active demonstrations where visitors could watch an activity or get involved themselves.

Participants also had the opportunity to meet a number of our talented local female athletes and Townsville’s favourite active hero, Captain Active, made an appearance and got kids moving.

Get involved in 2016: Find out more about Townsville City Council’s Get Active initiative here.

Get involved

The 31 Days of Activity is a community initiative that we run throughout the whole of January, offering a different event each day that Goers can try for free, thanks to the generosity of our supporting businesses, sporting clubs, and sponsors. The 31 Days of Activity 2016 has now concluded, but find out what activities were included across the whole four weeks here: https://thegotownsville.com.au/31doa2016/.