A new year, a new you.
Well, that might be the motto some take when flipping the calendar on a new year and eyeing up a new fitness regime, but it’s not always about just burning calories.
“We’re finding a lot of people are doing personal training and small group training,” said West Shore Parks and Recreation fitness and wellness programmer, Kristy Webster.
But her clients seem more interested in self-care than just losing weight, she said. An increasing number are continuing to rehabilitate injuries or want to learn more about the different gym equipment to work on repairing old injuries and chronic pain. Even for those clients who are looking to lose weight, Webster said, it’s more about regaining function and movement than about looking a certain way.
“Which is a really, really awesome shift to see. It’s a good thing.”
Darci Nyal, owner of Moksha Yoga Westshore, labels such an approach “self-care.” The concept can sound strange to some, she said, but it is a real component of a balanced lifestyle.
The hustle and bustle of December, which Nyal pointed out is often focused on other’s needs, can be overwhelming. She finds many new students – and regulars – find January a time to really focus inwards after overindulging during the holiday season on everything from food to social interaction.
“They just need that quiet space to reconnect,” she said. “Most of our students are looking for one of three things.”
Those are: a place to connect with others, a quiet space to focus inwards and a good workout. “We’re not just a place to show up, do a workout and go home,” Nyal added.
Moksha’s environment of unfinished concrete floors, reclaimed wood elements and recycled fixtures helps make the space feel inviting as they focus on self-care, Nyal said. “It’s connecting with yourself, connecting with other people and with your practice.”
As with many yoga studios, there’s a sense of community created, which inspires friendships and leaves clients feeling like they’re not working out beside a stranger, she said. The fitness experience is being shared with friends, which helps keep the energy high and motivating through classes.
At West Shore Parks and Recreation, people’s focus on self-care has been met with the expansion and addition of a number of programs, including post-rehab global fitness – taught by a kinesiologist – and together in movement and exercise (TIME), which is offered in partnership with Island Health.
TIME classes are instructed by an athletic therapist, with assistance from a certified personal trainer. Island Health recreation therapists assist individuals with balance and mobility challenges stemming from conditions such as stroke, brain injuries or multiple sclerosis.
“We worked with Island Health in developing it,” Webster said, adding the program proved so popular it was expanded.
Among other programs gaining in popularity, stroller classes are going strong, she said. The classes allow parents to bring young children in strollers or carseats and avoid the need for child care while working out.
While the numbers seemed to be dropping for a time, classes such as Zumba are also attracting healthy numbers, Webster said. Multiple classes continue to be offered through the week.
Some gym users have taken to fun, motivational ways to get in shape, signing up for programs such as Wanna Mudder? and The Biggest Loser Winner.
Wearable technology, No. 1 on the American College of Sports Medicine’s top 20 global fitness trends, is also becoming more common around West Shore Parks and Recreation facilities. “People are really starting to take advantage of it,” Webster said.
Their gym is latching onto that trend of tracking a workout as a way of optimizing results. Some of the cardio-based equipment is equipped with a Preva system that can track a person’s workout and sync it with their smartphone.
For details on West Shore Parks and Recreation programs and facilities, visit westshorerecreation.ca. For more about Moksha Yoga, go to mokshayogawestshore.com.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com