Manitoulin Island Radio ~ Highlight #1 ~ Island Fitness Centres

Manitoulin Island-Radio.Net

Highlights #1

Island Fitness Centres

We are fortunate here on Beautiful Manitoulin Island to have a few Fitness
Centres. Two of these, Change of PACE and Jaz’s Gym, I am personally
familiar and experienced with, and would like to Highlight.

I have been a member of different gyms and fitness centres, over the years, in
different places where I have lived. I have found the friendly, encouraging and
noncompetitive atmosphere of these two local gyms to be a Unique feature. There
is definitely a social element that is enjoyed by many members at both gyms.

Personally speaking, I am very much of a “robin,” and I enjoy my fellow
energetic early birds. I understand that there are other members, who regularly
frequent these gyms at later times in the day and evening.

SLaF>

Change of PACE

Change of PACE [377-6046] is a gym (currently for women only) located in
Mindemoya, across from the Arena. Its owner-operator, Barbara Grigg has long-
standing family connections with Beautiful Manitoulin Island. PACE opened in
January, 2005.

PACE is open six days a week ~ closed on Sundays.

The PACE programme consists of eighteen stations, nine pieces of hydraulic, weight-
training machines (working arms and legs and trunk) and nine stations in between the
machines (either a jogging square or a stepper).

This programme is designed to be a thirty minute circuit, completing three circles
around the stations in half an hour. The programme is unique in that it combines both Cardio-Vascular and Weight-Training thereby maximizing the fitness benefits. Each
woman works at her own personal 'pace', putting as much as possible into each station
(for the thirty seconds allotted) and then moving to the next station with the voice cue that
accompanies lively music.

The PACE programme is modifiable depending on members’ needs (physical ability and/
or limitations), energy and desires. It is recommended that members attend at least three
times weekly. Memberships are available on a daily, weekly, monthly, bimonthly, six
month and annual basis (with increasing savings!). Washroom facilities are available.

There is a core group of regulars as well as a group of seasonal members. Barb reports that
women have found a variety of benefits to engaging in regular exercise at PACE. These
include: a reduction in body fat, a decrease in high blood pressure and cholesterol levels,
improved body posture, greater muscle tone and flexibility, and a decrease in struggles with
depression.

The friendly atmosphere, the welcoming and encouraging attitude of staff, and the
acceptance of each person’s individualized level of ability and fitness have enabled some
women to begin a fitness programme leading to dramatic lifestyle changes.

Jaz’s Gym

Jaz’s Gym [368-1600] opened in April, 2005. It is located in the Island Business
Centre in Little Current, and its 1200 square feet of space are very well organized. It is
owned and operated by Tracy and Jamie Still, both of whom were raised on Beautiful
Manitoulin Island.

The Gym is open seven days a week, and memberships can be purchased on a daily by-
the-month, six-month, or an annual basis (with increasing savings, of course!).

Cardio-Vascular equipment includes treadmills, an elliptical machine, a rowing
machine and cycling machines. When there are a number of folks wishing to do Cardio
-Work, people respect a twenty minute stay at a particular Cardio-Machine. There are
a variety of machines and stations, in addition to free weights, that together offer an
opportunity for well-rounded and diverse fitness training.

There are spray bottles and towels located around The Gym for members to wipe-down
the equipment after use.

Tracy is available to demonstrate the proper use of all of the equipment, as well as to
assist people in designing an individual-tailored fitness programme. Also available is
the consultation of a personal fitness trainer, Joanna Rosenbaum, on a separate fee-
for-service basis.

There is now a tanning bed available on a per-use fee basis. There is a washroom and
a shower available for members’ use.

The equipment in The Gym is the same as that at the Physiotherapy Clinic, thereby
enabling people to continue their maintenance programme following discharge from
the Clinic.

There is a group of core regulars (members), and there are some seasonal regulars
(students home for the summer, boaters and vacationers, folks who like to come in
the winter for maintenance of personal fitness).

The atmosphere in Jaz’s Gym is unique: encouraging, friendly, helpful, and inclusive
regardless of a person's age, level of ability and fitness!

Members have experienced a variety of gains as a result of becoming involved with
Jaz’s Gym: weight loss, a significant decrease in cholesterol, healthier eating habits,
improved quality of sleep and energy, increased muscle tone, endurance and
flexibility.

One member’s story in particular stands out in Tracy’s mind – a woman in her
late sixties began attending the gym seven months prior to having a heart valve
replaced. The surgeon told her that the seven months she had spent working-out at
The Gym, prior to her surgery. saved her life!

Window Collage, Manitoulin Island

I signed-up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose-fitting clothing.
If I had any loose-fitting clothing, I wouldn't have signed up in the first place!!

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