That's the message from Jindera-based personal trainer Alanna Hayes who runs weekly fitness classes at Burrumbuttock and Table Top for Active Farmers, an organisation born in the Riverina with a focus on bringing together farmers and other members of their communities.

Ms Hayes has had her Burrumbuttock group for four years and recently started at Table Top, which has attracted plenty of interest.

"Even for Jindera where I am, it's a good 15 to 20 to get into the nearest gym, so it's half an hour to 40 minutes for other rural towns to come in just to go to a class," she said.

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"It's more than an hour round-trip just to travel, so if we can bring the gym closer to them and give them more opportunities that's great.

"It's so good for mental health, it's very important.

"One session we just talked and they felt amazing for it. To feel like they had a safe space to offload for their mental health and get out of the house for some of their own time is what it's all about."

Active Farmers has teamed up with machinery provider Hutcheon and Pearce to offer six scholarships for individuals to obtain personal training qualifications to be able to give back to their rural communities.

CEO Ginny Stevens said the most important thing is applicants are community-minded.

"We really like them to be ingrained in the community," Ms Stevens said.

"We don't want people to be in Albury and see it as an opportunity to get free qualifications and not be invested in a farming community.

"It's more about finding people who are living and breathing the community and really want to make a difference.

"We've had people over the years complete the course and fitness wasn't their childhood dream, but doing something for the community was really important to them."

Classes are held at Burrumbuttock Sports Ground from 6.15am on Mondays and Fridays and Table Top Hall from 9.30am Tuesdays and Thursdays, and are open to anyone.

Active Farmers will host a Run for Resilience fun run event at Mangoplah Football Oval on November 7.

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