Taking fitness on the road

IF YOU are having troubles
making it to fitness classes,
fitness classes will come to
you.

By Anna @arie D'Angelo
News Reporter

The North Vancouver Recre-
ation Commission has been spon-
sorting an ‘‘on location employee
fitness program" in the workplace
for the past three years.

At the request of an employer,
a tec commission fitness consul-
tant is assigned to an organization
to assist in designing a program
for individuals or a group of
employees.

“The nice thing about it is that
instead of opening your doors and
wondering why people aren't com-
ing to classes, you can go to the
workplace and actually find out,
by asking nicely, of course,"’ said
Holly Turner, who is the fitness
consultant for North Vancouver
District employees.

Turner said poor attendance
usually improves if a fitness activ-

!

ity is redesigned.

Depending on the employee-
group needs, an exercise package
may include tunch-hour fitness
classes, the establishment of walk-
ing or running clubs, fitness tests
and evaluations, and health semi-
nars on topics such as stress
management, dict and nutrition.

Turner said North Vancouver
District employees who live out of
town have taken advantage of
Lonsdafe recCenter’s pool, which
is open at 5 a.m. She said several
people would rather exercise at the
pool than wait in traffic.

The cost per employee is $57.47
for three months or $196.49 an-
nuaily. Thirty employces is the
minimum number required to take
Part in the program.

Aliso included in the price is un-
limited use of all rec centre facili-
ties including the three regular
pools, wave pool, squash and
racquetball courts, weightrooms
and skating rinks, along with reg-
ular rec centre fitness classes.

Turner said some employers
have subsidized the program's cost
and many employers have includ-

ed the price in a payroll deduction
plan.

The employers who have par-
ticipated in the program include
North Vancouver City, Lions Gate
Hospital, Sussex Realty, North
Shore Credit Union, Capilano
College and the Ministry of Social
Services and Housing.

Approximately 500 people are
taking part in the work fitness
program.

Turner said the program ap-
pears to have a low drop-off rate
and it has appealed to people who
would normally not consider tak-
ing a fitness class.

She said one man in his 50s
who never exercises asked her to
set up a fitness program after sec-
ing his co-workers’ results.

“He said, ‘You know Holly, |
thought 1 would never say this,
but come and set up a program
for me’,*’said Turner.

“As he put it, it wasn’t like
‘babes in lycra trying to sell him a
program’,’’ she said.

For more information about the
workplace fitness program, con-
tact Turner at 987-PLAY.

Arthritis Society seeks leaders for program

THE ARTHRITIS Society
(B.C. and Yukon division) is
seeking 15 persons to be train-
ed as leaders for the highly ac-
claimed Arthritis Self-
Management Program.

The volunteers will attend a
three-day free-of-charge
workshop ai the Arthritis Cen-
tre, 895 West 10th Ave. in

Vancouver, on Aug. 8, 9 and
10 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Parking will be available.

Participants in the workshop
will learn group facilitation
skills, concepts of self-efficacy
and how to enhance it, plus
Practical ways of helping
themselves and/or others with
arthritis care.

No previous teaching experi-

Hurry! .
Offer ends July 30/'92

i “FREE regular Valance with every
= ~ vertical blind order.

BETTER |

Specializing in Blinds and Draperies for over 7 years

Parine Dr, N. Von.

ence or medical knowledge is
required. Total volunteer
commitment after training is 24
hours per year.

For further information, call
the Arthritis Telephone Infor-
mation Service at 879-7511,
local 300 or 301 between 10
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to
Friday.

July 15, 1992 - North Shore News - 47. -

NEWS photo Mike Wakefield

NORTH VANCOUVER rec centre fitness consultant Holiy Tumer
(lett) checks the blood pressure of North Vancouver District
employee John Fata as part of a workpiace fitness program set
up by the North Vancouver Recreation Commission. North Van-
couver District human resource officer Naushi Keshavjee looks

on.

ern

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