Not Your Average Joe

Words: Suzanne McNamara

After an injury forced him out of playing competitive rugby, Joe Naufahu was motivated to share what he had learned about fitness. He set up Ludus Magnus gym 12 years ago and says it also helped him during that tough time when he had no choice but to quit his first love, rugby.

Joe has concerns about the modern-day fitness era, with the influence of social media making exercise more about chasing an image. Instead, Joe’s philosophy is to focus on health through exercise and the freedom found in movement. He says we should think of regular exercise as a gift to your body, not a chore. It’s about building good habits and remaining mobile to reap the long-term benefits of exercise. That’s why you won’t find a mirror at Ludus Magnus, because Joe believes that’s the worst thing to have around when you are trying to get healthy.



Ludus Magnus is a fun, inclusive space with a strong community spirit. Challenge is the key to building resilience, yet everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace. It’s not intimidating and the gym welcomes all shapes and sizes.

Joe’s exercise and wellness tips


• Do things you enjoy. They may not be conventional forms of exercise, but they will get you moving and keep you interested


• Plan your daily workout times and try to keep them regular. We are creatures of habit, so regularity will build consistency


• Set realistic targets that aren’t based on how you look. Rather than aiming for numbers (scales) as an end goal, aim for things like committing to a certain number of workouts per week. That way, you stay focused on the journey not the end result. You want to build a lifestyle where movement is a part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth


• Try and avoid short-term challenges. They can produce great results, but they can also create a yo-yo effect, which is hazardous for both your physical and mental health. Train for daily life. Six- or eight-week challenges force you into aesthetic goals that will only turn your focus outward rather than inward. Along with the eating deprivation these programmes usually dictate and the training overload that they prescribe, you’ll be left feeling depleted, despondent and unfulfilled. Or, if you do feel great at the end of it, that feeling generally does not last 

• Eat consciously. Plan your meals. Make good choices based on very basic rules that anyone with common sense knows. Limit fast food, eat your veggies, drink lots of water, and keep your sugars down. Simple rules on paper, but not as simple in practice; you will still need a little discipline to execute


• Get your friends and family involved. There is a world of benefit to working out in groups and, in particular, with loved ones. You can hold each other accountable and inspire and motivate each other. Connection is key


• Get lots of sleep! 

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