Summer weather is fit for fitness

Posted By Jessica Hassard, Central Plains Herald-Leader

Posted 7 months ago

Staff photo by Jessica Hassard....The warmer weather can provide the perfect push for people to get active and lose their winter weight.

The weather is finally warming up, and now a whole new threat emerges. There may be a general consensus that pasty, sun-deprived legs, and out-of-shape bodies are acceptable for the first few weeks of late spring and early in summer, but come mid-July, it's not really an excuse anymore.

That's not to say that everyone has to be a model of physical fitness, but the health benefits from a healthy and active lifestyle isn't something to be taken for granted.

There are different ways to be active, some preferring team sports and others enjoy the deep meditations and stretches of yoga. The traditional gym is always a good way to start a health regiment, but sometimes it becomes more than just a place to workout; it is a way to strengthen the community.

Heather Muirhead and her group might be an example of that. A retired school teacher and the Secretary-Treasurer of the Portage Fitness Co-op, Muirhead has been working out for the last 20 years.

"I have always gone to the gym everyday," Muirhead stated. "I do cardio and weights. I'm also an aerobics instructor."

But just over a year ago, when the gym she went to regularly closed its doors almost overnight, fitness became a more than just an investment in her health.

"When the gym closed down, we had nowhere to go." Muirhead said.

The folks who worked out at Trans Canada Fitness at Canad Inns in Portage la Prairie had the option of going to the Southport Recreation Centre, but the drive was a bit discouraging. Instead, a group of dedicated gym members decided to take over the gym.

"We approached them," Muirhead said. The group proposed a co-operative to Canad Inns, which would mean a board of directors runs the facility by a bunch of by laws that have been set up with the government, and people could buy shares into the business. Rather than receiving dividends, the investors would receive discounts on the programs and membership costs, while all proceeds go right back into the gym. Although there were several people interested in buying up the equipment and the space left behind by Trans Canada Fitness, Muirhead thinks one of the reasons their idea won out was due to the ultimate goal of their business plan.

"(Canad Inns) thought it would be more successful because no one's getting a salary out of it," Muirhead said.

Although work shifts are paid, a good portion of the work is done by volunteerism.

"It's a 24-hour gym. With this access card, you could go whenever you want," Muirhead said. "A lot of people come in at five or six in the morning before they go to work."

There are some people who just go to the gym without buying shares, the only downside being that in several years time, they won't receive benefits, such as discounts on their membership or on programs.

There are also programs available at certain times, such as pilates, muscle mania, bootcamp and step. Personal trainers are also available, but the cost is extra.

A facility has opened up recently in MacGregor, which includes all the workout gear plus tanning beds. Club Fit is 24 hour access and has been open since April 10.

But when the weather gets nice, however, it's hard to keep exercise routines caged indoors. There are plenty of nature walks and places to view wildlife and waterfowl around the Delta Marsh for those willing to brave the ticks and mosquitoes. Head south on Highway 240 and there will be signs posted, or check out a map for some of the guided walks. For those a little more exploratory, a guide like Bartley Kives' A Daytrippers Guide to Manitoba might just be the trick. No matter where you are there are plenty of ways to keep healthy outside, such as running, biking and swimming. But what about all three at once? Chris Kitchen is the spokesperson for Junkyard Dogs Triathlon Club out of Portage la Prairie.

"The neat thing about triathlon is that it welcomes all shapes and sizes and any skill level as long as you can run, swim and bike ride," Kitchen said.

He's a level two official for the sport.

"You do your own time and compete against yourself," he said. The triathalon starts with a run, then moves into a swim and then turns into a bike ride. Sounds grueling, but Kitchen said there are plenty of different skill levels and lots of support. Skill levels range from the beginners to the Olympic elite.

"Triathalon (Club) is designed to help introduce people to the sport who've never heard of it." One such group of people are youth. The Junkyard Dogs have a strong group of youth who compete, and Kitchen feels this is important for children's health, but also something they enjoy.

"Kids like to run, they like to bike ride and they like to swim."

There's a lot of young Portagers who are participating in competitions like the one out by Falcon Beach in early June, keeping up in the tradition of some professional triatheletes like Simon Witfield.

Kitchen states that if you want to look into the tri-sport, he recommends, from an official's standpoint, that you learn about the rules, come out and see an event and watch it in action.

"There's a lot of gumption and desire involved," he said.

The Junkyard Dogs are always welcoming new members. The club is based out of 2 Tired Boys on Saskatchewan Avenue West.

But maybe getting into shape shouldn't mean getting into Olympic shape.

"The word fit sometimes scares people, I think," said Dori Boersma of 2 Tired Boys.

Boersma and her husband run the shop, and are involved in cycling in the Portage area.

Boersma said to her, it's about healthy living.

"It's a lifestyle change."

Boersma used Canada's nuitrition guide as a basis to shed a few pounds and has incorporated this into her family's diet.

"There's a lot of fast food meals," Boersma said. "These might be sandwiches; it's just anything that has a fast preparation time."

She said lives are rushed and so becomes the food. Many people forget the importance of balanced eating with some exercise to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

One doesn't have to start a new sport or take huge chunks of time out of their busy schedules to be active. The fact is that Health Canada recommends 45 minutes of activity a day, which can include a brisk walk around the lake, or rollerblading with the dog, thereby rolling two time-consuming, but fun, activities into one.

Kids activities

With the kids being out of school soon, there are several programs available to keep them busy. One such program run by the City of Portage la Prairie through North Memorial School is the Sun Forever Summer Weeks program. There are eight weeks of fun adventures for kids aged 8-12, which all include a trip to Splash Island free of charge.

Kids will have to bring their parents and their Manitoba Health Card to register at the Recreation and Leisure Services Department at city hall. Forms can be downloaded from the website. www.city-plap.com/corporate/ecdevpreteen.asp

For the teens, there will be two or three events a week, which will include sailing lessons, a summer swim party, a trip to Winnipeg to watch the Goldeyes Baseball team, a girls night out, laser tag and other outdoor sport events. Some will have small fees attached. For more information, call 239-8369 or e-mail spc2009@city-plap.com. Posters will be plastered around downtown and City Hall.

Youth for Christ is also in the midst of planning out a busy summer activity schedule, which will include canoe trips, camping trips, weekly ultimate frisbee games and, possibly, paintballing trips. Once the new facility, The Door opens, which is expected in July, a series of events will take place there as well.

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