Holiday Hours 2025
Wednesday the 24th – 7a.m. – 1 p.m.
Step and Strength at 9:15 a.m.
Thursday the 25th – CLOSED
Friday the 26th – CLOSED
Wednesday the 31st – 7am – 2 p.m.
Step and Strength at 9:15 a.m.
Thursday, Jan 1st – CLOSED
Wednesday the 24th – 7a.m. – 1 p.m.
Step and Strength at 9:15 a.m.
Thursday the 25th – CLOSED
Friday the 26th – CLOSED
Wednesday the 31st – 7am – 2 p.m.
Step and Strength at 9:15 a.m.
Thursday, Jan 1st – CLOSED
Donate online at reindeerromp.ca OR cash/cheque donations can be made at Fitness Corner on Dec. 24.
All donations for the 2025 Reindeer Romp will support the Saugeen Shores branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce, to support mental health initiatives in our shoreline communities. This includes programs such as Social Recreation, peer support, youth and adult mental health education and community outreach that helps people stay connected, supported, and well.
Tax receipts will be issued by CMHA Grey Bruce
DISTANCES: 2.5k or 5k walk or jog.
Maria is an RMT, a fitness coach with a love for dance, and has experience teaching Zumba.
With her Argentine background she will bring a true Latin flair to these classes which will include, but not be limited to many different Latin styles. No experience is needed, just a willingness to have fun!
Pre-registration required.
Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/ or the Wellness Living App to register.
Come to challenge your YOGA asana practice with INTERMEDIATE level classes. Refine your technique, build more strength and increase your mobility. Benefit from Andrea’s hands on adjustments and her decades of knowledge.
Tuesdays – 5:30 to 6:45 pm
Pre-registration required. Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/ or the Wellness Living App to register.
Each week we will explore one of the Yamas (how we relate to the world) or the Niyamas (how we relate to ourselves), integrating these teachings into breath, movement and mindful reflection both on and off the mat.
What to expect. All-level guided asana practice. Practical tools for living yoga daily. A supportive and inspiring community. Come as you are. Leave renewed, empowered and connected.
Pre-registration required. Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/
or the Wellness Living App to register.
Each week we will explore one of the Yamas (how we relate to the world) or the Niyamas (how we relate to ourselves), integrating these teachings into breath, movement and mindful reflection both on and off the mat.
What to expect. All level guided asana practice. Practical tools for living yoga daily. A supportive and inspiring community. Come as you are. Leave renewed, empowered and connected.
Pre-registration required. Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/
or the Wellness Living App to register.
This fun, energizing class alternates basic step aerobics with strength training. This is a great class for those new to step. The goal is to improve cardiovascular health, build strength, and increase endurance.
Maria is an RMT, a fitness coach with a love for dance, and has experience teaching Zumba. With her Argentine background she will bring a true Latin flair to these classes which will include, but not be limited to many different Latin styles.
Maria is an RMT, a fitness coach with a love for dance, and has experience teaching Zumba. With her Argentine background she will bring a true Latin flair to these classes which will include, but not be limited to many different Latin styles. No experience is needed, just a willingness to have fun!
Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/ or the Wellness Living App to register.
Nutritional Counselling Package – $250 plus HST
Includes
Monthly Follow Up program – $228 plus HST
Tuesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve
Wednesday, December 25 – Christmas Day
Thursday, December 26 – Boxing Day
Tuesday December 31 – New Year’s Eve
Wednesday, Januay 1 – New Year’d Day
DONATIONS: All donations will go to Bruce Shoreline in Saugeen Shores, the local Grey-Bruce branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, to support its mental health initiatives. Donate online at reindeerromp.ca OR cash/cheque donations can be made at Fitness Corner on Dec. 24. Tax receipts will be issued by CMHA Grey-Bruce.
DISTANCES: 2.5k or 5k walk or jog.
You are invited to join Lee Anne in deepening compassion for yourself and others. We will explore mindfulness, loving-kindness, self-compassion, and respect for your own body. There will be plenty of opportunity to discuss and celebrate our successes and challenges in this practice called life.
Pre-registration required. Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/
or the Wellness Living App to register.
Fitness Corner is very proud to welcome Tish Mouritzen to our team!
Tish is a PERSONAL TRAINER who specializes in, but is certainly not limited to, working with women over the age of 50. She is passionate about empowering women, as well as men, to manage their health and fitness. Tish has a B.Sc Honours Kinesiology degree from the University of Western Ontario and is an ACE certified Personal Trainer as well as a Precision Nutrition Certified Coach. She is well qualified to guide you through your weight management and fitness goals.
Tish comes to us from Cochrane Alberta, where she ran her own personal training and nutrition business. She designed personal programs for those wanting to improve strength, balance, weight management as well as general wellness. We are pleased that Tish has joined our team and can now do that here, for YOU!
Tish has also worked with young athletes. She has a sports background herself, as an avid skier, both nordic and alpine, and as a varsity rower for Western University. She can help your young athlete achieve their goals in their chosen sport.
Call us at Fitness Corner, 519-797-3343 to book Personal Training with Tish, or call Tish herself at 587-889-1118. Her email is heytish@outlook.com.
As Terry ran through intense pain, hundreds of supporters gathered along the highway cheering him on, saying, “Keep going, you can do it!” and “We’re all behind you.” Refusing to let anyone down, he took a break hoping the pain might subside. Terry ran another mile until he couldn’t see any more people, returned to the van, and asked Doug to take him to a hospital. Terry called his parents in Port Coquitlam and told them the cancer had returned. The following day he flew home to begin further treatments. Terry had run his last mile of the Marathon of Hope.
The day he stopped was the day we started. Continue Terry’s dream of a world without cancer by joining the #TerryFoxRun on September 15. Register, fundraise, and donate today: terryfox.org
with Andrea Ziegler a previously professional dancer with Cirque de Soleil and Celine Dion – ziggymoves.com
The focus will be dance technique and choreography. All levels are welcome!
Limited availability, register now. You don’t want to miss this dancer’s opportunity! Pre-registration required.
Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/or the Wellness Living App to register.
Pre-registration required. Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/ or the Wellness Living App to register.
with our own Andrea Ziegler – a previously professional dancer with Cirque de Soleil
and Celine Dion – ziggymoves.com
Come to challenge your YOGA asana practice with INTERMEDIATE level classes. Refine your technique, build more strength and increase your mobility. Benefit from Andrea’s hands on adjustments and her decades of knowledge.
Limited availability, register now.
Pre-registration required. Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/ or the Wellness Living App to register.
Limited availability, register now. You don’t want to miss this dancer’s opportunity!
Pre-registration required. Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/or the Wellness Living App to register.
Topics to be discussed include, Exploring Mindfulness, Mind/Body Connection, Noticing Emotional Triggers, Practising Gratitude, Open Mindedness, Handling Conflict Skillfully, Nurturing Compassion, Hypnosis for Total Wellbeing will be offered in the last class.
Pre-registration required.
Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/ or the Wellness Living App to register.
This class offers active and relaxing movement using a chair as a prop. No postures will be done on your hands and knees or sitting on the floor. It is designed for mature bodies.
This class combines yoga principles with resistance training using hand weights. It is designed for mature bodies with or without Osteoporosis or Osteopenia.
Mind, Body Chair Yoga offers the perfect opportunity to explore yoga postures mindfully for strength, flexibility, balance and mobility. The class combines both active and relaxing movement using a variety of props, including a chair. All kinds of postures will be explored with support, but none of them will be on your hands and knees or sitting on the floor. Most classes end lying on your back and then seamlessly into a guided meditation.
Mindfulness is emphasized throughout the Mind~Body~Chair Yoga practice. Mindfulness is the practice of focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. Cultivating mindfulness both on and off the mat supports mind/body connection which can help us to increase our ability to regulate emotions, decrease stress, anxiety and depression. It can also help to focus our attention and observe our thoughts and feelings without judgment, ultimately leading to a happier and more satisfying life.
This class is taught by a certified Yoga, Mindfulness and Bone-fit instructor. It is designed to help support bone health in a safe and supportive environment. Yoga for Bone Health combines Yoga principles plus resistance training with hand weights.
Physical exercise is an important factor in the risk reduction and treatment of osteoporosis. Physical activity places an increased ‘load’ or force on our bones. Bones respond by forming new bone and remodelling the bone to be stronger. Bones need to be stimulated by physical activity – so it is necessary to be active in different ways in order to ‘load’ or stimulate these bones and maintain their structural competence and strength.
Yoga can help support a sense of well-being and an overall improvement in quality of life as well as improving balance and coordination which, in turn, reduces risk of falls. In addition, improved strength, flexibility and posture can reduce pain and enable people with or with osteoporosis to do daily tasks more easily.
This class feels like a yoga class because we take our time to set up for success and to build confidence. With a focus on building up strength and stamina we gradually increase weights to challenge the bones and improve bone density over time. There are opportunities for cardio throughout the class, but that is not the primary focus. Some exercises are done seated and lying on the floor, but most of them are done standing. Each class ends with guided relaxation.
Mindfulness is emphasized throughout the Yoga for Bone Health practice. Mindfulness is the practice of focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. Cultivating mindfulness both on and off the mat supports mind/body connection which can help us to increase our ability to regulate emotions, decrease stress, anxiety and depression. It can also help to focus our attention and observe our thoughts and feelings without judgment, ultimately leading to a happier and more satisfying life.
NON-MEMBERS:
$99 for one class per week, $198 for two per week, $297 for 3 per week
Members (must hold a current 1, 4 or 12 month membership for the duration of the program), register at the front desk to receive a 50% discount for these classes.
(HST) will be added to all fees.
Lee Anne will lead you through topics such as Exploring Mindfulness, Mind Body Connection, Noticing Emotional Triggers, Practising Gratitude, Open Mindedness, Handling Conflict Skillfully, Nurturing Compassion, and Embodying Mindfulness. Learn some mindsets and practices that you can call on for the rest of your life.
Join this half hour class to learn the basics! Steps and moves that are common in these programs will be taught slowly and broken down to learn more easily.
Mondays from 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Classes begin Monday April 24
Class is included in our Classes Membership or 10 Pass option.
Wed & Fri 6:30 am, April 19 to May 26.
45 mins of cardio intervals on the bike, mixed with strength drills on the floor.
Tues & Thurs 4:15 pm, April 18 to May 25.
45 minutes of muscle conditioning exercises.
Choose Morning Sessions (12) $120 OR Afternoon Sessions (12) $120 OR BOTH Morning and Afternoon Sessions (24) $200.
Applies to Gold, Silver or Bronze Memberships for the Gym or Classes.
Use the code “1stMonthFree” to receive the offer when purchasing online. Designated Seniors & Students (see staff) use the code “Senior1stMonthFree”.
Designated Seniors & Students (see staff) still receive 10% additional discount. Applies to 12 month plans only. Sale end March 15.
Applies to Gold, Silver or Bronze Memberships for the Gym or Classes.
Designated Seniors & Students (see staff) still receive 10% additional discount. Applies to 12 month plans only. Sale end Oct 31.
Mon. 10:30 am > THE GENTLE CYCLE (It’s BACK!)
Mon. 4:30 pm > RESTORATIVE YOGA (NEW Class!)
Mon. 5:30 pm > MORE MUSCLE (NEW Time!)
Tues. 5:30 pm > STRICTLY CYCLE (It’s BACK!)
Wed. 10:30 am > YOGA/PILATES FUSION (NEW Class)
Wed. 5:30 pm > HOT YOGA (NEW Time!)
We are so happy to be able to run this event in person. We were forced to take a break from an in-person event and to hold a “virtual event” for 2 years due to Covid 19 but cancer didn’t take a break. Cancer is as prevalent as ever, but it can be beaten. The Terry Fox Run is a cancer fundraiser that benefits all types of cancer. 83 cents of every dollar raised by this worldwide event goes directly to research. So many many people, young and old have been affected by cancer. It’s a disease that doesn’t give up. Yet, advancements have been made, through research funds donated by participants of this event, to the Terry Fox Foundation, to lessen the devastation of a cancer diagnosis and improve the chances of survival. This fundraiser is a chance for you to support those you know who are in treatment, honour those who have succumbed to the disease or help find more ways to end cancer, just by participating in the event and raising funds.
Terry Fox was a very determined, young man who, having lost his leg to cancer, set out to run across our entire country to raise funds for awareness and research into cancer. Many roads, streets, highways, parks, theatres, stadiums, fitness trails, medical and other buildings have been named for Terry to honour his legacy. He was a man, who at a very young age, set a very high goal for himself to help others. He also challenged all Canadians to join him by donating to his cause.
Following a minor car accident in November 1976, Terry was left with a sore right knee. He mostly ignored the pain, since he was an athlete he was used to it, but when it continued into February of the next year he sought treatment and received painkillers. When the pain became debilitating in March of 1977 he again visited his family doctor who quickly diagnosed osteosarcoma. This is a cancer of the connective tissue and is the most common primary cancer of the bone. On March 9th, when he was only 18, Terry’s right leg was amputated just above the knee. The night before his surgery, Terry’s high school basketball coach visited him and not knowing what to say, he showed Terry an article about an amputee runner who had participated in the New York marathon. This planted the seed for Terry’s idea to run across Canada.
Terry’s doctor told him that his cancer treatment was new and that in the 3 years that it had been in use it had increased survival by 25-50 percent. This news made Terry realize the value of cancer research. While in hospital Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them children, that he truly wanted to help. He began training for his “Marathon of Hope” in February of 1979 and set out on April 12 1980 to raise “just one dollar from each Canadian” to help fund cancer research and fight the disease that took his leg. After running 42 miles or 26 kilometers daily (the equivalent of a daily marathon) for 143 days and a total of 3,339 miles, Terry was forced to stop running due to the cancer spreading to his lungs. By Feb. 1981, Terry’s hope of raising $1.00 from every Canadian was realized and $21 million was the total in the Marathon of Hope fund.
After Terry’s death on June 28 1981, just one month short of his 23rd birthday, the first Terry Fox Run was organized and held on Sept 13th in 760 sites in Canada and other parts of the world. Dedicated volunteers and participants have kept Terry’s legacy alive over the years and to date close to $500 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s name through the annual Terry Fox Run. Please consider joining the Terry Fox Run in your community this year. You don’t need to run a marathon. It’s a non-competitive, family event that consists of 1,3, 5 or 10 km distances you can walk, run or cycle. All cancers, rare or more common, benefit from the research done through the Terry Fox Foundation. Please take an hour or two out of a September Sunday to participate. Cancer doesn’t take a break. If Terry could run a marathon daily on one leg surely we, able bodied people can walk/run or cycle a few kilometers in his memory. The Port Elgin event starts, rain or shine, with registration at 12:30 p.m. from the Northshore Park Pavilion. You can look online at www.terryfox.org to find other sites or information. Hope to see you out!!
Holly Vanderzwet, B.P.E.
Fitness Corner Inc.
519-797-3343
This is a fundraiser in support of Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation’s “Bring TOM to Town” campaign. This is a bike ride that allows you as a participant to help save lives in our Saugeen Shores and surrounding area. Bringing “TOM”, a $3 million CT scanner, to town means patients needing a CT scan will no longer have to travel to Owen Sound. It means improved healthcare for Saugeen Shores, our surrounding communities and for the thousands of visitors we welcome each year. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to the CT scanner fundraising goal. This event offers a 30 km route as well as a 70 km and a 110 km route. Register (search “Gran Fondo Lake Huron presented by Bruce Power) today and be part of an important fundraiser as well as an excellent community event.
Want to be a part of this but unsure if you would be able to complete the task on event day? Get your bike serviced to be sure it’s in fine riding shape, don a helmet, maybe ome cycling shorts (they really increase the comfort in the saddle) and start riding now. If 30 km is your goal, start riding, indoors or out, 2 times a week for 20-30 minutes to start. Add a third ride on week 3 and increase your time in the saddle by 10 or 15 minutes for at least one of your rides. Increase to a 4th ride on week six. Maintain riding 4 times a week and begin to work on gradually increasing the length of the ride first and the difficulty of it later. If you are riding outdoors, rather easily for 45 minutes or an hour, start challenging yourself with some hills. If you are on an indoor bike, include some interval drills in your ride. Sprint for 30 seconds, then ride easy for 30 seconds. Repeat 8 -10 times. Or increase the tension to simulate a hill climb. Ride at high tension for one full minute then ride easy for 30 seconds. Repeat 5 or 6 times. Gradually add time and distance to your rides. A reasonably fit rider on a decent, well maintained bike can expect to take 1.5 to 2 hours to complete 30 kms. Be sure to be able to get to that length of time in the saddle a few weeks before the event. The more often you ride at the goal distance prior to the event, the easier it will be on event day. The 30 km route does include a few minor hills. Be sure to include some hill riding in your training. They too will become easier the more you do them.
Be sure to include some cross-training into your training plan. Do at least one day of yoga each week. Or add in a strength training day. Try a walking or running day once a week.Too much of the same thing can set you up for overuse injuries. Stretching after every ride will be extremely beneficial. Sitting on a bike for too many hours can shorten the hip flexors, tighten the quads, strain the neck, and bother the low back. Be sure to always include stretches for all major muscle groups after a ride in order to maintain muscle balance. Have at least one non exercise, rest day each week. All of these tips are even more important if you are training for the 70 or 110 km routes when your rides are longer and therefore your risk of overuse injury increases.
A similar plan applies to anyone wanting to up their ride to the 70 or 110 goal. Add 10% time to your ride each week. Include intervals in your ride, especially if you have limited time to ride. Intervals will increase your fitness level as well as improve your strength and stamina. These routes have more hills as well as more difficult climbs. Be sure to get dome hill drills in your workout plan. If you have a long ride day or an intense strength ride day, take the next day as a rest day. Recovery is important. Build it into your workout plan. Lack of rest and recovery can lead to overtraining which means you won’t progress and can lead to injury. Signs of overtraining are fatigue, yet trouble sleeping, increased resting heart rate, irritability or lack of interest in riding.
Be sure to always hydrate with water during a ride and then with a diluted electrolyte drink once your rides go beyond one hour. Carbohydrate snacks that are easily consumed on the bike are also a great way to keep energy up for long rides. The sugar content will fuel you, yet you won’t get the energy crash that occurs when you are not exercising. There are plenty of water and snack stations along the route during the event, you don’t even need to bring this with you. Just come well prepared to ride, bring lots of enthusiasm, don’t forget the sunscreen and enjoy the ride! It’s for a great cause!
There are two great events coming up in our area this summer that can benefit your personal health as well as that of your entire community. These are the Huron Shore Run on June 4th and the Saugeen Shores Gran Fondo on August 21st! Both of these events, which are back on this year as “live and in person”, require a certain level of fitness on your part and are fundraisers for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation. This year both events will raise funds specifically for the “Bring Tom to Town ” campaign which will bring a CT scanner to the hospital in Southampton. This equipment will literally save lives. You can learn more about this on the Hospital Foundation website.
Your personal health and fitness can be improved by setting a goal to participate in one or both of these awesome community events. The Huron Shore Run, begins in Southampton and is a 5 or 10 km walk or run along the shore of Lake Huron. Google that to get the details and I will focus here on how you can prepare to participate. If you have never done the distance be sure to start slowly and progress gradually. Start with a half a kilometer, walk it at least three times a week then add one half a kilometer weekly. You will be surprised how quickly you will feel comfortable with the distance if you follow a gradual progression. When you get to a distance you like, stick with it. Do it regularly. Improve your time. Choose alternate routes that add hills. This all makes you stronger and fitter.
If you are comfortable with the distance and want to go from walking to running, a gradual progression is also recommended. Use time. Start by running for just 30 seconds and walking for 3 minutes. Do these intervals for the duration of your distance. Three times a week is also best. Increase the run time and decrease the walk time by 30 seconds each week. Be aware of how all of this feels, keeping in mind that adding too much too soon can set you up for muscle pain or injury. Back off a bit on the run time if something hurts. Keep in mind the muscles that aren’t used to activity may be sore at first but that won’t last. Keep going. Any joint pain however should be addressed. If knee, hip or back pain develops seek advice from a personal trainer, chiropractor or physiotherapist regarding your technique or footwear. If you typically walk or run the same distance each time you are out but have set a longer distance for the event, start now by adding just a bit more distance each week. Chart your progress, enjoy the challenge, improve your personal fitness, register for the run and help save lives. Watch for next month’s column on training for a cycling event.
All of the staff at Fitness Corner would like to thank all of you for following safety guidelines and mandates that have been in place over the last 2 years.
We will be making updates in accordance with public health orders, internal safety guidelines and industry best practices.
As of March 21st 2022 the Proof of Vaccination nor the wearing of masks will no longer be mandatory at our facility.
We do however recommend that members continue to clean their own equipment, keep a reasonable distance from others in the facility, as well as wear a mask to enter or exit the gym if they choose. We will continue to maintain good ventilation with open windows. Our class sizes will not be increased at this time. Individual cleaning cloths and spray bottles will be available to all.
With covid numbers continuing to trend in the right direction across the province we feel it is safe to make these changes in accordance with government recommendations.
We applaud all of you for your patience, understanding, perseverance, and compliance through a trying period of maintaining personal fitness! Well done!
We are here for you as you continue your fitness journey! Let’s go!
Chronic back pain. It’s common, it’s painful, it’s annoying, it can be debilitating but it can be overcome. With correct treatment and a bit of time you may find relief. Try these very simple solutions, give them a bit of time and see if improvements occur. One very important factor in back pain prevention is to always be aware of lifting correctly. Watch a toddler for this technique. Yep, a small child will teach you how to lift. They bend from the hips, keep their spine straight, put their weight into their heels, go into a squat and retrieve the toy they are after from the floor. There is no forward folding with straight legs, or rounding of the spine, or reaching out from the body to pick anything up, regardless of the weight of it. Improper lifting can be the reason something as light as a tissue can be the one thing that causes a bout of prolonged back pain.
No one had to teach the toddler how to lift. They do it naturally. As we get taller we think that it’s easier to not bend our knees to lift something. But the legs have large muscles, the back does not. Which do you think would be better to recruit when lifting an object of some weight? I know you picked the right answer. Try this simple exercise to strengthen muscles involved and help train the body to lift correctly at all times. Stand in front of a chair with your feet a little wider than hip width apart. Put your weight into your heels and push your hips back as though to sit down. Keep your spine straight with good alignment through your neck as you hover over the chair then stand straight again. Hold both arms wide apart over your head making sure your shoulders don’t scrunch up as you do these “chair squats”. This will cause you to engage the core muscles thus strengthening that area. Perform 10 to 15 repetitions. Use this same technique, although with arms down of course, to pick something up from the floor, especially if it is heavy.
Along with strengthening exercises, try a consistent stretching routine. Lie on the floor, one leg bent, foot flat. Reach across to the outer edge of the bent knee and slowly draw it over to the other side. Extend the other arm out from the shoulder, palm up. Take this rotation to “the edge”, where you feel it is comfortable. Take a deep breath in, relax, breathe out and slowly go beyond the edge of the stretch. Don’t go to a point of any pain but do challenge the range somewhat, using your breath to relax and release. Repeat on the other side. A combination stretch and strengthening exercise is a “mini press up” for back extension. Start by lying on your stomach, hands on the floor at, or a bit behind, the shoulders. Relax and don’t use the legs. Slowly begin to press the upper body up. Be sure to keep the shoulders away from the ears and the elbows tucked into the ribs. Engage the upper back muscles as you lift the chest. Keep the front of the hips on the floor and lift your upper body as high as is comfortable. Without moving them, pull the hands toward the elbows. This will engage and strengthen the upper back. Be aware of how this extension of the back feels. Only go as far as what is comfortable. Slowly perform several repetitions. If pain worsens with repetition, stop.
One of the best things you can do to combat back pain is walking. Prolonged sitting is detrimental. As long as you are not in extreme back pain, get up and go for a brisk walk. Combine a daily walk or two with strengthening and stretching exercises and see your pack pain reduced. Hire a personal trainer with a kinesiology background to assess your technique. Always seek professional advice from a physiotherapist, reputable chiropractor or medical doctor if your back pain is severe or debilitating. Many back “issues” can be treated without extreme measures. Give an exercise plan a try and keep your back fit.
Holly Vanderzwet, B.P.E.
Participate with the Fitness Corner instructor team from home. Anytime and as often as you like.
No problem, you can rent ours! Choose “Equipment Rental” under Memberships in the online store. We want to do our best to help keep you active!
Therefore, effective 12:01 am Wednesday January 5th, your gym membership will be placed on hold again. This means your membership will be extended by the number of days we are required to be closed.
If you are on an automatic monthly payment plan, no payments will be required while your membership is on hold.
If you have a Virtual @Home membership, that membership will not be placed on hold and will continue to run, as it is not affected by the closure of the gym. We will be taking advantage of this shutdown to add more virtual classes to our broad library of almost 100 quality videos.
We are as disappointed about this shutdown as you, especially since so many of you have been getting back into good routines that include the variety of exercise and safe environment that our gym offers. We regret any inconvenience this causes and thank you sincerely for your continued support.
Holly Vanderzwet B.P.E.
This is a note to let you know that we have reduced the number of participants allowed in our fitness classes once again due to government recommendations as a result of the rising number of Covid 19 cases in the province. We have really enjoyed welcoming so many of you back in the facility this Fall. It was beginning to feel somewhat normal!
We haven’t been operating at our complete capacity since before the pandemic and are choosing to be cautious as we reduce the number to 10 participants in each fitness class. The maximum number of members in the weight room will be 8.
Please continue to follow the masking protocol of wearing the mask when entering or exiting the facility or when moving about from place to place. Masks are not required while you are on the equipment. Spray bottles of cleaning solution and cleaning clothes will be available for all to use to clean any surfaces that have been touched.
Holly Vanderzwet, B.P.E.
Fitness Corner Inc.
519-797-3343
DONATIONS: All donations will go to Bruce Shoreline in Saugeen Shores, the local Grey-Bruce branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, to support its mental health initiatives. Donate online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/38963 Under FUND select “Bruce Shoreline, Southampton, Ontario (Reindeer Romp 2021)”.
Click on “Other”
Please bring proof of vaccination and photo identification as per the Walker House COVID 19 rules (masks must be worn in and out of the restaurant).
Seniors and Students still receive 10% additional discount.
Applies to 12 month plans only.
Sale ends Nov. 15, act now!
Seniors and Students still receive 10% additional discount.
Applies to 12 month plans only.
Sale ends Oct 31, act now!
Lee Anne will lead you through topics such as Exploring Mindfulness, Mind Body Connection, Noticing Emotional Triggers, Practising Gratitude, Open Mindedness, Handling Conflict Skillfully, Nurturing Compassion, and Embodying Mindfulness. Learn some mindsets and practices that you can call on for the rest of your life.
Proof of Vaccination against Covid 19 must be shown to take this course.
Hello Fitness Corner Members!
Beginning on Wednesday September 22nd you must provide proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid 19 to enter our facility. This means two doses of a two dose series vaccine or one dose of a single dose series vaccine.This is part of the Ontario Government mandate for some non-essential indoor spaces, with gyms being on that list. It means we will be able to keep the doors of our business open. Verbal confirmation will not be accepted. Please have a paper copy or proof on your phone. You can find and print your receipt of vaccination online through the Grey Bruce Health Unit. You may also need a piece of photo ID on your first visit after September 22nd. If possible, once we have valid proof of your vaccination record, we will attach this to your file so you won’t be asked to show proof each time you enter. If you are wanting to continue to workout at Fitness Corner in Southampton and have not already received the recommended two shots to protect yourself and others from Covid 19, please do so. We really want to provide an extremely safe place for everyone to maintain good health and fitness and we need your help to do this in these unprecedented times.
The wearing of a mask that covers both your nose and mouth to enter and exit the gym or when moving from room to room within the facility is still a requirement. You do not have to wear a mask when on equipment or participating in a fitness class. Please continue to consider keeping a 2 meter distance from others in the gym.
Staff will continue to clean all equipment on a regular basis throughout the day. We will continue to supply spray bottles of disinfectant to be used by you in a normal gym etiquette fashion on the equipment you use. Spraying the cloth and wiping down equipment where you touch it after use is excellent. Over spraying of everything, including the air and surfaces not touched, is not required. This has actually been very hard on the equipment and the floors.
We will continue to provide plenty of hand sanitizer throughout the facility. And of course there is always plenty of soap and warm water in the changerooms. Maintaining clean hands does plenty to help reduce the spread of any germs of any sort.
Currently our hours are as follows and are subject to change due to demand
Monday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Our well varied class schedule is available on our website. Please continue to book your spot in a class through Wellness Living. More classes will be added as need arises.
We are so happy to welcome you back to Fitness Corner! All staff are ready, willing and able to gladly help ease you back into your fitness routine! We value you, all our wonderful members, past, present and future and we value everyone’s health.
Be kind, wash your hands, get the shots
Namaste
Holly Vanderzwet, B.P.E.
Fitness Corner Inc.
519-797-3343
Enjoy the long weekend!
Please book these classes as usual through the Achieve App, the Wellness Living web-site or our Fitness Corner web-site. No Memberships will be re-activated until we are allowed to open our indoor services. These will be “Pay as you Book” classes.
Everyone has done very well this winter with getting outside to walk, run, x-country ski or even cycle on a regular basis! Well done! This is so good for everyone’s mental health as well as their physical health. Just getting outside for 20 or more minutes on a regular basis helps one’s mood immensely. The heart, lungs, bones and muscles of the legs also all benefit greatly from these activities. This is so great! But now what are you doing to maintain or improve your overall strength, especially of your upper body and core? Are push-ups in your weekly plan?
Classes begin March 16 for 6 weeks.
6 Classes: $99 (members get 10% discount)
12 Classes: $179 (members get 10% discount)
Drop in Fee: $18 per class if space available
(Fees do not include HST which will be added at time of purchase)
Pre-registration required. Please go to fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/ or the Wellness Living App to register.
One of the easiest exercises you can do will benefit your health in as many as 10 different ways. It’s an activity you can do almost anywhere, anytime that suits you best and without the use of any special equipment, except perhaps a good pair of athletic shoes . What is this miracle exercise? It’s walking. That’s it. Plain and simple walking. If you can manage 10,000 steps each day your health will benefit. That’s about 7.5 kilometers. The best part is you don’t need to do these steps all at once to get the benefit. You can spread it out over an entire day. “Sitting is the new smoking”. Spending too many hours in a chair can do your body more harm than smoking. After just 30 minutes in a chair, your metabolism slows down by 90 %. This means calorie burning significantly decreases. The body also becomes less sensitive to insulin, meaning blood sugar levels increase. Diabetes becomes a risk. Just getting up for 5 minutes of movement can get things going again. While exercise is excellent for us, one full hour of exercise will not negate the damage done by too much sitting. Continue to exercise regularly, especially if it is in addition to walking, but try to limit the number of hours spent in a chair.
So, what do you gain by walking 10,000 steps each day? Your cardiovascular health will benefit. That’s your heart and lungs. Heart health has always been at the forefront but a certain virus has made us think more seriously about our lung health. Walking increases your heart and breathing rates, which, over time will improve cardiovascular fitness. Making some of those daily kilometers a brisk walk, or a jog, if you are able, will elevate the heart and breathing rates a little further therefore improving things a little quicker. Consciously taking a few deep breaths throughout the day, walking or not, can also do plenty to keep your lungs healthy. Breath in slowly and deeply for as long as you can and then breath out at the same pace. Repeat several times. Take care of your lungs. Also a part of cardiovascular health, cholesterol and blood pressure may also be reduced through participating in activity regularly. However, these can also be hereditary and medication will be needed. But perhaps less dosage required the fitter you are.
Walking, because it is a weight bearing exercise. as opposed to swimming or cycling where you are not on your feet, will also improve your bone health. Combine any of these activities with some weight training and the benefit to bone density will increase. Be sure to start slowly, progress gradually and pay close attention to correct technique with weight training to prevent injury. Doing many different exercises will be the best benefit to your bones. The muscle will pull on the bone in a different way for each exercise that you do, thus causing the body to lay down more calcium in a variety of areas on the skeletal system therefore increasing bone density and strength. Those with strong bones have a lower risk of fractures. If a fall occurs, the risk of breaking a bone is less.
Type Two Diabetes is a very common, yet very preventable disease. Overeating combined with a sedentary lifestyle is the sure way to develop diabetes. Walking just 20 to 30 minutes a day can really help to prevent this disease that eventually ravages all parts of the body. If you have diabetes, start walking. Take a dog, a friend, a sibling, a child or a parent for company. Start slowly, in speed and time. Gradually progress. Not only will your body be using the excess stored glucose for the activity, it is now more sensitive to insulin. This means the body is more able to use the insulin naturally released by the body when blood sugar levels increase.If you are on a drug for diabetes, your doctor may be able to reduce the amount you take if you maintain your activity levels. DO NOT reduce ANY medication without first consulting your physician. After a few weeks of being active, try reducing your calorie intake somewhat. Make this your new lifestyle and watch your health improve. Your energy level will also increase.
Walking on a regular basis, outdoors, taking in and appreciating your surroundings, will also improve your mood. Activity is at the forefront when it comes to treating depression. Make walking a daily habit. So many things will improve for you. Why wait for Spring? Do it now!
We want to thank all of you for the months and years you’ve been coming to the gym in Port Elgin and for giving us the opportunity to get to know you and to workout with so many of you. It is bittersweet for us to leave the gym behind after 23 years, but we know it is in very good hands and that you will enjoy the new owners, Sara and Jesse Topp.
For those of you who have returned to the gym after the temporary closure due to COVID-19, we want to thank you for following all the new protocols that are keeping the gym and its members safe. Things have gone quite smoothly because of your cooperation.
If you haven’t been back yet because you still have concerns over COVID-19, here are some of the new measures we’ve put in place:
If you have a Weight Room membership for Fitness Corner in Port Elgin, then effective October 1st it will be transferred to Topp Performance. If you prefer to stay with Fitness Corner and move to the Southampton gym, please let us know by Sept 30th and we can transfer that membership for no additional fee.
If you have a Weight Room membership that is valid for both Port Elgin and Southampton you will still be able to use both gyms – you will effectively have 2 memberships for the remainder of your paid-up period. If you prefer, you can convert your weight room membership to include the weight room and classes in Southampton, instead of Port Elgin for no additional fee. Please let us know before Sept 30th.
If you have a Classes membership for Fitness Corner in Port Elgin, then effective October 1st it will be updated to include the classes in Southampton for no additional fee. All classes currently offered in Port Elgin will be moved to the Southampton studio.
If you have a Weight Room and/or Classes membership for Fitness Corner in Southampton, there is really no change for you as a result of the sale of the Port Elgin gym.
The new Class schedule is already posted on Wellness Living with new classes starting October 1st and others starting after Thanksgiving. Please continue to book classes online through Wellness Living or through the mobile Achieve app. This ensures that you get a spot in the class and that you get an email notification should class need to be cancelled for some reason.
We are also working on a “Virtual Membership” option for classes. This will include a library of videos that you can view and workout to either at home or in our studio using the new big screen TV we’ve installed. They can be used on “snow days” or whenever you can’t attend a scheduled class for any reason. This option will be included in all regular memberships for the Southampton gym for no additional fee or can be purchased separately for a fee much lower than a regular membership. The “Virtual Membership” videos will only be available through your Wellness Living account with us. We will have a wide variety of videos available and they will be updated regularly to keep it fresh. We will also have some equipment available for rent if you want to do the virtual classes from home. That way you can even try a Step class or a Spin or BUFF class right from home!
Thank you – keep safe, active and healthy!
Holly and Frank Vanderzwet
✅ More time slots, lots of variety, something for everyone!
✅ Class sizes are limited and pre-registration is required!
✅ Book your spot on Wellness Living with Fitness Corner!
[themify_button bgcolor=”orange” size=”large” link=”https://fitnesscorner.ca/group-fitness/”]SEE SCHEDULE[/themify_button]
Fitness Corner in Port Elgin has been purchased by Topp Performance. A deal has been struck between Holly and Frank Vanderzwet of Fitness Corner and Jesse and Sara Topp of Topp Performance which will see the Port Elgin gym and studio at 737 Elgin Street become the new home of Topp Performance, effective October 1, 2020.
Jesse and Sara see the studio as an ideal place for them to run their Martial Arts programs which up to now have been conducted in the Maple Square Mall. The facility will also allow them to expand their Personal Training programs and weight training gym which they plan to run as a 24 hour operation.
Holly and Frank had been looking for a partner as a way of slowly easing out of the business, eventually towards retirement. Jesse and Sara were very open to discussion about some sort of working arrangement but quickly realized the facility suited their own plans, so they made an offer to purchase the gym and studio outright. Holly and Frank will continue operating Fitness Corner South in Southampton.
Members will be able to continue using the gym under the new ownership for the remainder of their current paid-up membership. As part of the investment by Topp in the business, new equipment will also become available around or shortly after Oct 1. Members will also have the option to transfer their membership to the Southampton Fitness Corner gym. People who have dual memberships at both Port Elgin and Southampton will be able to continue using both gyms until the end of their current paid-up memberships.
All services will continue to operate in our current facility as per normal until Oct 1st 2020. After October 1st our Topp Personal Training members will transition to the new facility throughout the month of October. Your trainer or coach will work with you to provide the best suited schedule at either location in this transitional period.
Classes currently offered in Port Elgin will no longer be available with Topp Performance but will now be provided at the Fitness Corner Southampton studio. Port Elgin members will be able to attend these and all other fitness classes offered in Southampton for the remainder of their current paid-up membership, for no additional fees. Virtual classes will also become available soon as part of their membership for no additional fee.
These “10-pass” packages are normally good for either Port Elgin or Southampton. However, since attendance and number of passes remaining can’t be tracked by 2 separate businesses, individuals will need to decide which business they want to remain with – Fitness Corner or Topp Performance. All remaining passes will be honoured at that business until used or expired.
Martial Arts classes will continue to operate at the current facility. Opening up to new members on September 1st, 2020. We will still train at the current training area and transition to the new facility throughout the month of October with hard opening date of November 1st 2020. After November 1st, 2020 all services will be offered at the new Topp facility located at 737 Elgin Street in Port Elgin.
Sat. Aug. 1st Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – SAT. 9:15 A.M. SWEAT class is ON
Sun. Aug. 2nd Hours: 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Mon. Aug. 3rd CLOSED
Sat Aug. 1st Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – 9:15 am BUFF is Cancelled
Sun. Aug 2nd Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – 10:30 am YOGA on the LAWN is ON
Mon Aug 3rd CLOSED
🌞 Donations will be made to the Living Hope Food Basket in Port Elgin and the Saugeen Memorial Hospital.
🌞 Social distancing will be observed.
🌞 Everyone welcome!
As you no doubt already know there will be several policies and procedures that go along with the facilities being open during the ongoing pandemic. Here are some of the things to expect…
1. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A NON-MEDICAL MASK TO ENTER
The Grey Bruce Public Health Unit requires everyone to wear a mask in the common areas of a gym where physical distancing is difficult. This means the front entrance, desk area as well as the locker rooms. We encourage you to wear it when travelling from place to place in the weight room while lifting weights. It is not a requirement if you are using the cardio equipment or attending a fitness class.
2. THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN THE FACILITY MAY BE LIMITED
This number will be based on our square footage but will also depend on where people are in the gym during their workouts. Every second piece of cardio equipment will be put out of service to allow for proper social distancing in this area.
We will allow weight room members to use the studio, when there are no classes running, for functional, circuit style workouts requiring smaller equipment. Please respect the area and use it safely. DO NOT THROW BALLS ETC. AT THE WALLS. The area has cameras to monitor safety. Memberships will be revoked if damage has been done.
3. WORKOUT TIME MAY BE LIMITED TO ONE HOUR PER MEMBER
Depending on usage and the number of people wanting to work out we may have to limit a workout to one hour. Please respect this policy as well as your fellow gym members. You may be politely asked to leave if you over say your workout time.
4. YOU MUST CLEAN YOUR OWN EQUIPMENT AFTER USE
A spray bottle of sanitizing product and a towel will be given to each person upon entry. Use this on each and every surface and piece of equipment you touch. Please hand in the spray bottle and the towel to the laundry bin at the front desk when you leave. Hand sanitizer will be available for you upon entry and exit from the facility.
5. WASHROOMS AND LOCKER ROOMS WILL BE OPEN
We recommend that you come dressed to workout but showers will be available. Only one urinal in the men’s room will be available and the shower area will be limited to one at a time. Please practice social distancing in these areas as well as the rest of the gym. Masks will be required here.
6. YOU MUST BOOK CLASS PARTICIPATION THROUGH OUR WELLNESS LIVING PROGRAM
Classes will be limited in size due to the social distancing rules. Please pre-book classes and be sure to cancel if you decide not to come
7. YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN MAT TO YOGA
We will no longer provide mats, straps, blocks, blankets or bolsters for our yoga classes. Other equipment used in classes that is easily cleaned will still be available for use. Your instructor will put the required equipment out for you prior to class. You will be responsible for cleaning the equipment you used after class. The instructor will put it away.
8. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THE GYM IF YOU ARE UNWELL
If you experience fever, sneezing, coughing, runny nose or other flu like symptoms please do not come to the gym. Please continue to wash your hands as often as possible. We will provide hand sanitizer for use on the way in and out of the facility.
Going forward our hours of operation for the Port Elgin facility will be
Monday to Friday 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hours there will be
Monday to Friday 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 7:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Namaste
Holly and Frank Vanderzwet
🔹 Donations will be made to the Living Hope Food Basket in Port Elgin and the Saugeen Memorial Hospital.
🔹 Social distancing will be observed.
🔹 Everyone welcome!
🌟 Steps will be provided
🌟 Donations will be made to the Living Hope Food Basket in Port Elgin and the Saugeen Memorial Hospital.
🌟 Social distancing will be observed.
🌟 Starts Wednesday, July 15.
🌟 Everyone welcome!
Join Holly for Sunday Morning Yoga! 10:30 am on the front lawn at Fitness Corner South!
🙏🏾 Bring your own mat.
🙏🏾 Donations will be made to the Living Hope Food Basket in Port Elgin and the Saugeen Memorial Hospital.
🙏🏾 Social distancing will be observed.
🙏🏾 Starts Sunday, July 5.
Everyone welcome, namaste.
To all our valued clients, we hope that everyone is keeping healthy and continuing to practice safe distancing. We understand some of you may be getting anxious about how long this situation may last. It has greatly disrupted normal routines for everyone, including our fitness routines. We feel your anxiety as well and we want to help.
This includes smaller items such as dumbbells, bands and mats. It also includes some slightly larger items, such as benches, steps, balls and even bikes. To see a complete list of items and pricing, you can go to https://fitnesscorner.ca/memberships/ to get to the Store, or to the Wellness Living Achieve app and go into the Store there. Once in the Store select Equipment Rental. Since we have limited quantities, before ordering anything online, please check with us for availability by emailing info@fitnesscorner.ca. You will also need to have an account at Fitness Corner with an up to date email address and billing information. You can also email us to help you set that up. Once we confirm availability, we will email you instructions on how to pick up and pay.
As many of you know, to help keep people moving, we have been offering daily workout videos on the Fitness Corner Facebook page and website. We have just set up a schedule for these workouts which include HIIT, Total Toning, Cardio Dance, Pilates/Yoga and beginning next week Step with Jennifer Cooper. We do have Steps available for rent as well as light weights, bands and mats for the other workouts.
We hope this helps getting through these difficult times.
Holly & Frank Vanderzwet