Calgary Successfully Hosts AAYWCA’s 21st Annual Fitness Leaders Retreat
May 14th – 16th was a very successful weekend for the staff at the YWCA Fitness on 5th as we had the distinct pleasure of hosting the 21st Annual AAYWCA Fitness Leaders Retreat. The retreat traditionally brings fitness professionals from across the country to Banff for a weekend full of cutting-edge workshops, physical activity and a chance to network with peers. Calgary took on the challenge with the theme for this year’s event - “The best exercise for your heart is to bend down and pick another up.” Whether you are a personal trainer or group fitness instructor, this theme truly expresses what you do on a day to day basis.
Trainers and group fitness instructors’ work extremely hard to help their clients and participants reach their goals. Weekends such as this give the instructors a chance to receive continuing education credits – a requirement to keep their certifications.
Workshop presenters included Jari Love, creator of the popular RIPPED! DVD series. Adding to the expertise were physiotherapist John Ward from Myo Sport Physiotherapy, massage therapist Lillian Schwarz of Hands on Massage Therapy and Chiropractor Dr. Jason Fox. John, Lillian and Jason are independent contractors who all have offices on site at Fitness on 5th. Thanks to the hard work and determination of staff members of Fitness on 5th, participants of the retreat left feeling energized, revitalized and took home a tool box of assorted new moves to assist them Monday morning when they get back to their respective gyms. Some participants left with an array of door prizes courtesy of our host hotel, Delta Bow Valley. Our own Pat Keppler won a new pair of running shoes and gift certificate from Gord’s Running Room and Barb Mitchell, the 50/50 draw winner, graciously donated her prize to our Mary Dover House.
Everyone is hopeful and cannot wait to see what the 22nd Annual AAYWCA Retreat will have in store! Stay tuned, the Calgary YWCA is gearing up for 2011!!
