Thrive Sports & Exercise Medicine

Thrive Sports & Exercise Medicine Dr. Louisa Barter specialises in Sports & Exercise Medicine and Women's Health.

As a GP with a Postgraduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise Medicine (PGDipSEM), she brings 15 years of experience in General Practice, Family Planning, and Female Health.

For the month of November, our family took on the Diabetes NZ One-Million Minutes Challenge - a campaign to raise awaren...
30/11/2025

For the month of November, our family took on the Diabetes NZ One-Million Minutes Challenge - a campaign to raise awareness and show support for everyone living with diabetes.

This cause is incredibly close to our hearts. Earlier this year our eldest son was diagnosed with type one diabetes, and just last week we sadly lost my mother-in-law, who also lived with type one since the age of 21.

Type one diabetes means living on a knife edge every day - constantly balancing insulin, food, movement, and life. It’s relentless, and it’s brave.

Throughout November we committed to a minimum of 30 minutes of movement every single day and together we’ve raised $620!

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us, donated, moved alongside us, or simply checked in. It means more than you know. 💙


Women’s wellness workshop.Thank you to those wahine that attended last night.It was a wonderful evening sharing and enri...
06/11/2025

Women’s wellness workshop.

Thank you to those wahine that attended last night.

It was a wonderful evening sharing and enriching our knowledge and understanding of perimenopause.

We had a really great interactive session covering some of:

- what happens to our bodies during perimenopause
- how and why certain exercise is so important
- what food really can nourish our bodies at this time
- what is our pelvic floor, how it works and how to strengthen it

It’s such a privilege to be able to share this kōrero with so many wahine in Rotorua, as it something that’s been hidden and misunderstood for many years and having knowledge allows women to thrive rather than just survive.

💙 1 Million Minutes Challenge — November! 💙This month our family is moving for a cause close to our hearts — we’ve joine...
31/10/2025

💙 1 Million Minutes Challenge — November! 💙

This month our family is moving for a cause close to our hearts — we’ve joined the One Million Minutes challenge to get active and raise awareness and support for people living with diabetes. 🩵

Every walk, jog, run, ride, swim, football or futsal game, and gym session counts — we’re logging our minutes of movement to help reach 1,000,000 minutes of activity together across NZ! 🇳🇿

For us, it’s personal — staying active is such an important part of managing type 1 diabetes and staying healthy as a family. 💪

So this November, we’re moving more, supporting each other, and raising funds for Diabetes NZ. We are aiming for 30 minutes of movement for every single day of November!

👉 You can join in too! Big or small, every minute matters.

📲 Sign up or donate: https://one-million-minutes.raiselysite.com/team-barter



Let’s move for more than minutes — let’s move for awareness, health, and hope. 💙

October challenge: done ✅I’ve walk/jogged/run at least 3km every single day this month, a challenge set by a great frien...
31/10/2025

October challenge: done ✅

I’ve walk/jogged/run at least 3km every single day this month, a challenge set by a great friend — and here’s what I’ve learned 👇

Being consistent is hard. Some days I had energy, others I didn’t. But showing up anyway mattered more than how far or fast I went.

Having someone to be accountable to — or just someone to head out with — made a huge difference. Sometimes it was a friend, sometimes one of my kids, or our dog, sometimes just knowing I’d promised myself I would.

As a busy mum of three sporty kids, fitting things in around their schedules and work isn’t easy. But I realised if I wait for the “perfect” time, it never comes. You have to make small pockets of time for yourself.

And here’s the bit that links to perimenopause — consistency in movement really helps. The days I moved, my mood, sleep, and stress were all better. Exercise isn’t just about fitness anymore — it’s about managing the rollercoaster that hormones can bring.

Small steps add up. 3km a day might not sound like much, but over the month that’s nearly 100km — and a reminder that showing up for yourself counts. 💚

New challenge for November starts tomorrow so watch this space…😊

Perimenopause strength training with a twist!Strength training allowed to shift 3m3 of top soil this weekend…and a crazy...
26/10/2025

Perimenopause strength training with a twist!

Strength training allowed to shift 3m3 of top soil this weekend…and a crazy form of strength training in its self! Building muscle and keeping my bones strong…keeping me strong into old age, so I can still do all the gardening jobs! Hope the boys are happy with the new improved football lawn!! 🤣

🌟 Manatū Wāhine - Ministry for Women 🌟New Resources Alert Did you know the Ministry for Women has just released a brand ...
21/10/2025

🌟 Manatū Wāhine - Ministry for Women 🌟

New Resources Alert

Did you know the Ministry for Women has just released a brand new guide called “Making Menopause Work” — designed to help workplaces support people experiencing menopause. Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women

🔍 What’s included?
• Understanding what menopause is and how it can affect people at work.
• Practical tips for managers and leaders to create supportive environments.
• Conversation cards, a checklist and a “design your own guide” to make it easier to embed into your workplace.

Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women

✨ Why it matters
Menopause is a natural life stage — yet many people struggle in silence at work. By giving it the space and support it deserves we boost wellbeing, retention, productivity and inclusion.

💬 Want to bring this to your team?
At Women’s Wellness Collective / Go Physio Rotorua, We are available to deliver workplace talks, workshops and bespoke support around menopause, wellbeing and workplace culture.
👉 DM me or contact me at louisa@thrivesportsmed.nz to get a conversation started and explore how we can tailor something for your organisation.

✨ World Menopause Day ✨Today’s a reminder to pause, reflect, and reconnect — with your body, your wellbeing, and with ea...
17/10/2025

✨ World Menopause Day ✨

Today’s a reminder to pause, reflect, and reconnect — with your body, your wellbeing, and with each other.

Perimenopause and Menopause isn’t just something to get through — it’s a time to tune in. To notice what your body needs. To move, eat, rest, and live in ways that support your changing hormones and energy.

💬 Talk about it.
💗 Share your story.
🌿 Reflect on what’s working (and what’s not).
👭 Support the women around you — we’re all walking this path in our own way.

Let’s make menopause a time not to endure, but to evolve, grow, and thrive. 🌸

Thank you so much to for having me tonight. We talked about perimenopause, menopause and beyond. What’s happening to ou...
10/10/2025

Thank you so much to for having me tonight.

We talked about perimenopause, menopause and beyond.

What’s happening to our bodies and why and how to change the story from one of loss to adaptation and empowerment.

😴 🍱 We talked lifestyle changes that can help eg nutrition, sleep,stress management.

💪 🏃‍♀️How movement & exercise that will give us longevity!

🌸 And a chat about medication options.

The room was brimming with fabulous wahine who shared, laughed and even danced a little. 👩 💃

Reach out if you are keen to know more or need some pointers for your journey.

www.thrivesportsmed.nz/perimenopause

‘SITs’ or sprint intervals don’t need to be intimidating and don’t need to be running either. I happen to do mine runnin...
05/10/2025

‘SITs’ or sprint intervals don’t need to be intimidating and don’t need to be running either.

I happen to do mine running because it’s what I enjoy out in the forest, I use a hill (after a warmup) as it gets my heart rate in zone quickly- run up for 20seconds and stroll back down to drop heart rate to baseline and go again!

And it’s great for almost everything- muscles, bones, brain, heart, burning fat, boosting your mood….!

Here’s some other options to try:
Cycling (Stationary or Outdoor) 🚴‍♂️
Rowing 🚣‍♀️
Swimming 🏊‍♂️
Ski Erg 🎿
Battle Ropes 🤼‍♂️
Elliptical Trainer 🏃‍♀️
Plyometric Training 🦵
Jump Rope 🤸‍♂️
Stair Climbing 🏔️
Kettlebell Swings 🏋️‍♂️
Boxing or Kickboxing 🥊
Bodyweight Exercises (Burpees, Squat Jumps, Push-Ups) 💪
Basically doing anything to get your heart rate high for 20-30seconds max and resting between does the trick! Make it work for you, your way!

Exercise snacks: when you’re short on time these short work outs are-efficient ways to get up and moving numerous times...
23/09/2025

Exercise snacks: when you’re short on time these short work outs are-efficient ways to get up and moving numerous times a day for just a couple of minutes. They get your heart rate up, reduce your sedentary time, can help with balance, coordination and strength when you chose a variety across your week. Pick one that looks fun today and get moving! 💪 💃 🏃‍♂️ 🎵

Address

1221 Haupapa Street
Rotorua
3010

Opening Hours

8:30am - 1:30pm

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