Sporty Youth Led To A Career That Is A Good Fit

Sun Herald

Sunday March 23, 2008

By Belinda Cranston

IT'S no surprise Keren Orbach became a personal fitness instructor. As a former state-level tennis player, sport has always been part of her life.

Orbach, now a self-employed aqua-aerobics instructor, decided to convert her love of sport into a career in 2000 - when she held an administrative position in the corporate sector. "I did a fitness course through the Fitness Institute of Australia." The course included water aerobics, general aerobics and personal training components.

Orbach initially based herself at South Sydney Junior Rugby Leagues Club in Kingsford, before starting outdoor training at Bondi Beach. "I really relied on word of mouth," she says. After seven years she had "built up a good little business" but had to let it go when she moved to Melbourne last year.

At first she worked as an employee at a number of gyms, which "felt like taking a step down ... giving up being my own boss."

Orbach soon learned there was big demand for water aerobics instructors, allowing her to become partly self-employed. Working at gyms gives instructors access to "a big number of members" but Orbach prefers to set her own agenda. "I like the freedom of being able to work indoors and outdoors and in people's homes. I have all the equipment in my car ... I don't have to hire premises," she says.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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