There is nothing ordinary about this ZUU. For starters you may be questioning the spelling. But when you learn that it’s all about health and fitness, its name originates from animal movements, and is a key feature at QT Port Douglas, you will surely want to know a whole lot more.

And each weekday morning at 5.00 at the resort’s health club, a number of dedicated fitness fanatics engage in 45 minutes of high intensity primal ZUU movement patterns mixed with strength and endurance body weight exercises.

Blending in old school methods; sports science; proven techniques with new and innovative approaches, every workout targets the major and minor muscle groups while engaging both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems.

To better understand what the workout entails, you will find yourself squatting, scrambling and slithering around the gym, just like a wild animal. And yes, flexibility is important, but then of course, you can work at your own pace and be sure to know your limitations.

When ZUU was introduced to the UK, a London Telegraph reporter aptly described the movements:

The Gorilla: Think Planet of the Apes. Long, heavy arms and big bounds forward.

The Frog Squat: Bend your knees, keeping your feet flat on the floor. Get low – so low you feel your thighs burning – and then pop up, as if on to a lilypad.

The Bear Crawl: Bum in the air, hands and feet on the ground. Ditch your dignity and skulk forwards for four steps, then backwards for four.

The Iguana: Get into the plank position and move alternate hands and feet forwards. Think Catherine Zeta Jones in Entrapment, minus the cat suit.

The Crocodile: As above, but tuck your elbows in and scuttle forwards, jaws snapping.

With its headquarters in Burleigh Heights on the Gold Coast and founded by Nathan Helberg six years ago, ZUU was introduced to Port Douglas when Rupert Sakora assumed the role of General Manager at QT Resort.

“ZUU is very much a part of my life and I am visibly energised after each session,” Sakora said.

“There is no questioning the intensity; you are bleeding good oil (sweat) as you go through a full range of movements.

“Those new to this manner of exercise invariably remark how much harder it is than it looks.”

The classes at the resort have attracted local members, non-members and guests.

What makes ZUU so different from other aerobic classes and styles of training; is the interaction between participants and the use of primal movement patterns. Creating an environment that is non-intimidating, group orientated and energising is the core foundation of the program.

Everyone has movements they will struggle with and the participants help each other and empower each other to overcome these hurdles. The movements created for ZUU depict primal animal patterns and use the whole body to condition, strengthen and increase cardio-respiratory capacity.

In seeking to develop a style of training without using weights or machines, Helberg identified this program of exercise that strengthen the joints, ligaments and tendons through full ranges. And when the animal-like movements were defined, it was suggested calling it ZUU, but not zoo.

There are three key elements to the training program, all with links to animals:

Endurance: Based on the stamina of the most resilient wild animals: hyena and stallion. This involves increasing stamina and challenging mental resilience. 

Power: The most powerful animals in the wild: lion, rhinoceros and grizzly bear: This format works immediately on building lean muscle while unlocking raw power. You can expect remarkable results for burning fat as your metabolism skyrockets. 

Speed: The fastest animals: cheetah and the Proghorn antelope: ZUU’s unique speed format works like magic by sculpting major muscle groups. Fast rounds burn huge amounts of calories.

QT’s health and fitness manager Jeremy Lebeuf is another committed and converted ZUU enthusiast.

“Rupert introduced me to ZUU while on a business trip to Port Douglas,” Lebeuf said.

“I was immediately hooked and share the same passion as him. When he moved here on a permanent basis, ZUU became a key activity and we are proud to say that we are only the resort in Australia that offers it.”

Sakora and Lebeuf thrive on each session being different which eliminates any monotony and that it attracts people of all ages.

“There are some as young as 17 to those in their 50s. The key is to pace yourself. It is conducted at high intensity and will give you a far greater workout than most aerobic classes,” Sakora said.

“It’s a great equaliser. You need to leave your ego at the door. And when it’s all said and done, everyone can be bonded by the pain, but more importantly the satisfaction of achieving something incredibly tough,” said Lebeuf.

To learn more visit www.thezuu.com.au.