Health and fitness group starts

A new non-profit health and fitness group has started in Umina.

The Caveman Power group, formed by Umina resident Mr Matt Emery, has been operating for six months and already has 20 members.

Mr Emery said the group's main aim was to assist with health issues such as mental health, emotional health and physical health.

"We are specifically focused on fighting modern diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety and depression," Mr Emery said.

"We do this by means of bushwalks, mountain bike rides and other means.

"We offer free diet and nutrition tips and free fitness programs."

Mr Emery said the group also did charity walks with money raised used to help fight the diseases.

Mr Emery said the group's broader philosophy was "finding contentment by being true to our biology".

"Modern society is causing a lot of modern diseases," Mr Emery said.

"We take the perspective as if we were cavemen transported into modern times.

"We intend to combine the best of modern science with the best of primal wisdom.

"At the end of the day we are all about having fun and getting healthy."

Mr Emery said the group was targeting those who were inexperienced or new to fitness, people with permanent incapacities and injuries, people stressed by modern day society and people who feel they "don't fit in or are marginalized".

He said the group also had a lot to offer the experienced health fanatic.

He said most interest was coming from women, especially in the 30 and over age bracket.

Mr Emery said all interest received from men was spread across all age brackets.

He said the website, www.cavemanpower.com.au, had become "incredibly popular".

"We have lots of interest, about 50 per cent, from the USA," Mr Emery said.

The site offers free advice as well as a free newsletter.

"As far as I'm aware this is the first group of its kind. It's unique."

He said the group was making efforts for people to start groups "around the world".

Mr Emery said he was currently working on a "Modern Caveman" book.

Lyle Stone, 14 Aug 2007