Stay fit in the winter

By Irene van der Kloet
Summer is when we are most active: walking, hiking, gardening or other outdoor activities,
spending as much time outside as possible. Enough to keep us fit, maintain our weight, or even
lose some. Once winter starts, outdoor activities become limited; we can go out in the snow to
ski, walk, or snowshoe, but that is not for everyone, so we must find other ways to stay fit.
Waskatenau Fitness Centre has all the answers for those who want to keep fit in the winter. This
modern, state-of-the-art Fitness Centre is an initiative of the Victoria Trail Agricultural Society
and started approximately five years ago. The federal and provincial government, Farm Credit
Canada, Waskatenau Lions Club, Waskatenau Firemen/s Association, Richardson Pioneer and
Jim and Sandra Toews helped sponsor the fitness centre. “We have about 65-70 members”,
Sandra Toews, fitness centre coordinator, says. “ And we have all age groups. Young people
usually come in the afternoon after school or in the evenings. Others come throughout the day.”
The centre contains a full array of cardio equipment with treadmills, ellipticals, stairs, a rowing
machine, bicycles and a spinning bike, enough to keep a person busy for hours. For the
powerlifting enthusiast wanting to develop more muscle, there is also much to choose from:
multiple machines to develop upper body strength in different exercises and other equipment to
build leg, calf and back muscles, as well as mats, balls, weights, skipping ropes and much
more. Your whole body can get a good workout in this fitness centre. The equipment is new and
well-maintained. Volunteers help cleaning and doing janitorial. A large TV offers options to listen
to music or watch videos while working out. “We have general rules like ‘leave outside shoes by
the door’ and ‘spray equipment after use,’ but that is all common sense. We want the equipment
to be clean for the next user.” Sandra explains. That was especially important during COVID-19,
but it is common practice in fitness centres. Access to the fitness centre goes through an app
that requires a membership that can be bought online. This way, the centre is accessible 24
hours per day. The changing rooms with showers are clean and neat; there are cubbies where
users can leave their belongings. For a small village like Waskatenau, the fitness centre is an
asset serving the village and surrounding communities. It gives the general public an excellent
and safe opportunity to stay fit year-round. For more information, please get in touch with
Sandra Toews at 780-258-0024.