Nanaimo residents who have amassed weight over the holidays can melt the fat away with the city parks and recreation department’s Winter Thaw fitness pass.
Similar to last year’s Canada 150 pass, Winter Thaw will allow pass holders the ability to try various fitness classes – Total Body Conditioning, High Intensity Interval Training, Tabata Tuesday, Evening Crunch Class, Super Circuit, Zumba, HIIT To Fit and Yoga Flow and Stretch. A one-month pass costs $52 and a three-month pass is priced at $150.
Classes take place at Rotary Fieldhouse, Bowen Park activity centre, Oliver Woods Community Centre and the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.
“This pass gives you the flexibility to drop in to a variety of classes and times at the same price as registering for one program,” said Michele Duerksen, City of Nanaimo recreation coordinator. “There’s so many classes that you can choose from … and builds off of that Canada 150 pass that parks and rec had.”
Kim Ross, fitness instructor, said Winter Thaw serves as a fitness class sampler. It allows people to access classes that will challenge fitness abilities and help achieve fitness goals whether people are new to fitness or experienced.
“It (Canada 150 pass) was a great way for people to learn what the city has to offer … We had a lot of people really seeing results using that pass and are excited about the new one coming out,” said Ross.
For newcomers favouring classes that aren’t too big, Ross recommends some of the morning classes, such as the HIIT to Fit, Total Body Conditioning and Super Circuit classes, as they have a small-group, personal-training feel and they allow students to develop strength and endurance at their own pace.
“Other classes that are offered in the mornings that really appeal to newer participants is the Thursday morning Zumba and the Friday morning Yoga Flow and Stretch,” said Ross.
The Monday and Wednesday evening HIIT classes at the aquatic centre are geared towards the moderate to advance students. Equipment such as TRX suspension trainers, kettlebells, agility ladders and slam balls are utilized to help students get into shape, said Ross.
“Other classes offered that challenge the moderate to advance students are the Tabata Tuesday and the Evening Crunch classes that are offered at Oliver Woods Community Centre, so with all these great classes and wonderful instructors, you’re guaranteed to have a fun time and achieve your fitness goals,” Ross said.
For more information, go to www.nanaimo.ca and go to Activity Guide under the recreation and parks tab.
Winter Thaw
Total Body Conditioning, Mondays, Jan. 8-March 26, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Rotary Fieldhouse
High Intensity Interval Training, Mondays, Jan. 8-March 26 and Wednesdays, Jan. 10-March 28, 5:15-6:16 p.m., Nanaimo Aquatic Centre
Tabata Tuesday, Tuesday, Jan. 9-March 27, 9:15-10:15 a.m., Oliver Woods Community Centre
Evening Crunch Class, Tuesdays, Jan. 9-March 27, and Thursdays, Jan. 11-March 29, 6:45-7:30 p.m., Oliver Woods
Super Circuit, Wednesdays, Jan. 10-March 28, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Bowen Park activity centre
Zumba, Thursdays, Jan. 11-March 2, 9:15-10:15 a.m., Oliver Woods,
HIIT to Fit, Thursdays, Jan. 4-March 29, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Rotary Fieldhouse
Yoga Flow and Stretch, Fridays, Jan. 12-March 23, 9:05-10:05 a.m., Oliver Woods
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
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