mark, Author at Best Gym, Fitness Center & Aquatics | Active Wellness Center

New Kids Club Hours at Active Wellness Center at Reed’s Crossing Starts May 2024

mark — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 04:50:53 +0000

There will be some changes to the Kids Club Program at Active Wellness Center at Reed’s Crossing. Effective May 1, 2024, Kids Club will be available for children ages 2-12 years old only, and the new Kids Club hours will be as follows:

Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays
7:45am – 11:45am
12:30pm – 7:45pm

Thursdays

10am – 1:45pm
4:30pm – 7:45pm

Fridays

10am – 1:45pm

Saturday-Sunday

Closed

Please note, Kids Club will now be closed on the weekends starting May 1st.

After careful consideration and analysis of our Kids Club program over the past 12 months, we have observed consistently low participation during certain operating hours and among certain age groups. To optimize our resources and better serve the needs of our community, we have decided to make adjustments to our Kids Club hours and age range accessibility.

We understand that these changes may impact you, and we are committed to helping ensure a smooth transition. Please know that this decision was made after a thorough evaluation, and we will continue to carefully assess demand to best meet the needs of our community.

These changes are unrelated to and will not impact access to our swim lesson program, Active Kids camps, kids Yoga and Dance classes, or any other current kids programming we offer. For program-specific details, please reference age, capacity, and schedule information available on our website.

There are no actions required for Kids Club members to take. If you would like to make changes to your child’s account, please contact:

Kids Club
Phone: 971-571-5327
Email: reeds.kidsclub@activewellnesscenter.com

Service Desk
Phone: 503-512-5010
*Or stop by our service desk in person

Thank you for your understanding as we implement these changes. Our primary goal remains to provide high-quality services that meet the needs of our members and their families. We appreciate you being a member and we look forward to seeing you at the club again soon!

LIVE ACTIVELY,

The Active Wellness Center at Reed’s Crossing Team

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Member of the Month: Linda Drake

mark — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 17:41:40 +0000

After feeling like she was in the worst shape she’d ever been in, Linda took her health into her own hands and made the choice to start a workout program at Active. From the little things like noticing a difference in how carrying groceries was becoming easier, to dropping her “BioAge” in the EGYM by 39 years, Linda continues to work hard with dedication and commitment to her health goals!

**The EGYM BioAge is a comprehensive fitness and health indicator that combines a wide range of user measurements into an easy-to-understand BioAge that can be compared to a member’s physical age.

Read Linda’s story below to learn about her journey to health and how she finds her motivation to stay dedicated!

Linda’s Story:

When I was first approached by an Active Wellness staff member stating that Active Wellness would like me to be acknowledged as Member of the Month for September, I was surprised but thought what a lovely way to acknowledge members at the gym.

The first thing I thought when I went on a tour of this place was, “what a nice and friendly place.” After my tour, I signed up that day. I was so impressed that this was also such a wonderful and comfortable environment even down to where the staff members know their Active members by their first names, which I had never seen before.

I had been retired for about 1 1/2 years and felt I was in the worst shape I had ever been. It was hard to carry groceries into the house as well as just getting up and down from the couch. Before signing up to be a member in March of 2023, I hadn’t ever done any strength training, but was going on a cruise in May of 2023. It was a slow start with the Activate EGYM, with my overall bio age for “strength” being at 81 years and worse yet, my legs alone were at 91 years, with my real age actually being 65. So I was indeed shocked.

Now 5 months later with the great support and encouragement of the staff at the Active Wellness Center, I am now feeling great and work out 4 days a week: 3 days on the EGYM for strength training and 1 day doing cardio. I have also incorporated going to the Sauna, pool and Jacuzzi. I am now at a Bio age for “strength” of 42 (a 39 bio age year drop) and my legs are now at 55 (a 36 bio age year drop).

I have 3 friends that have also joined the gym as well and we all belong to the EGYM Activate space for strength training. What a difference this place has made for me in this short amount of time. I felt like I was at rock bottom at 65 and wouldn’t ever be healthy again. Just remember that you can start at any age to achieve your goals.

Thank you again to the staff at Active Wellness Center if it wasn’t for you and my friends, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Sincerely,

Linda Drake

Congratulations on your amazing progress, Linda! We are so happy to be a part of your journey and love to see how your dedication and progress spreads to others as inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story with us!

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Member of the Month: Barbara Kennedy

mark — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 21:10:02 +0000

“At first I was reluctant to be the August Wellness member of the month as there is a shy and private side of me that does not want to be in the spotlight.
After thinking it over though, I wanted so many people to know about this wonderful wellness center. It is so much more than just a gym!

I had a total knee replacement on 2/28/2023. I had excellent PT follow up.
My physical therapist swims here at Active Wellness and she highly recommended that I look into it. I had 2 visitors during my early knee recovery that were also members here. Again, the center came highly recommended.

I came to an open house in April 2023 and loved the positive atmosphere, the professional staff and the cleanliness of the facility. I especially liked the idea of doing my post op knee exercises in the warm pool.

I began personal training with the very dedicated and knowledgeable trainer Dylan Simkins. I wanted to be very safe with my new knee. Dylan showed me both safety on the equipment and a safe post op progression of exercises.

I am working on improving my balance and strengthening my legs. I came in on 2 walking sticks. I am now down to 1 walking stick as my balance improves.

I am so touched by the kindness of so many members of all ages as they offer to open doors and move equipment for me during my workouts.

I am a late bloomer. This is a whole new chapter for me at 77. I had a grand career for 48 years as a bedside nurse which I dearly loved, but now I need to focus on my own general wellness and knee recovery.

At first I was pretty hard on myself for starting this so late in life… should have taken better care of myself when I was younger etc….

I now know that I cannot dwell or get stuck in the past. I am beyond blessed with today and I am moving forward.
Bravo to the entire Active Wellness Center staff. You truly are 5 stars!!”

Sincerely,
Barb Kennedy

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Active Client Testimonial for Sergio Landeros

mark — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 18:33:19 +0000

Self-care, we hear a lot about it but what does it really mean? When the pandemic hit, I thought it was about mental health. However, by March of 2021 I found myself heavier than I had ever been and my health was suffering. Not only was I overweight, but I was reacting to most everything I ate. I reached out for help and saw an allergist. I learned that several foods I ate regularly were causing me to have severe allergic reactions, so I cut them out of my life. Next, I focused on calorie counting and boy did I get good at it! I dropped 40 pounds over the next year.

Then my husband and I joined Active at Reeds Crossing. This would lead to my next step in self-care. I met Sergio during my free personal training appointment. This would be a life changer. I decided that self-care now meant investing in my health like never before. I arranged to have ten hours of personal training with Sergio. I let him know I wanted to continue losing weight and to get my balance back. He took the time to really work with me on conditioning my core, increasing muscle and bone mass, while lowering my visceral fat. He helped me understand how to eat to increase my health. I then decided to invest in my health again and arranged for another 10 hours with Sergio. The outcome? My muscle mass is up, my bone mass is up, my weight is in a good place (I will keep working at it!) I have terrific balance; my ankles are strong and support me so well. I feel good in my skin. I am healthier than I have been in years.

Sergio is a terrific guide who listens and supports you as you work through all the ups and downs that come with creating a healthier lifestyle. Self-care = taking care of all of you! Sometimes you need a coach, and I would highly recommend Sergio for your adventure in discovering a healthier you. Thank you, Sergio!

Sincerely,
Belynda Griffin

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Fast Track the Benefits of Walking

mark — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 18:10:00 +0000

Many of us are told every day to adhere to a number of steps, calories burned, or a specific heart rate zone. Without a plan of how to accomplish those feats, it can be tough to make any progress with those metrics.

Take a simple movement like walking and level up your training by adjusting volume and intensity to fast track your results.

One of my favorite variations of walking is by adding weight. This is called rucking.
Rucking is simply walking with added weight in a backpack or weighted vest. It offers several benefits including strength and endurance, increased calorie burn, and improved posture and core strength.

Rucking can be done anywhere! The gym, a park, a hiking trail, or simply around your neighborhood. You can easily incorporate rucking into your routine.

Start with a manageable load depending on your distance and intensity. Gradually increase the weight over time. Find a durable backpack with a chest and waist strap that offers plenty of padding on the shoulders. This will help minimize discomfort for longer distances.

Start with 10-15 lbs. in a backpack or weight vest.

Ready to give it a try?

Coach Marc’s 4-Week Rucking Plan

Week 1

Days per week: 3

Upon Waking Ruck: 10 min.

Post Dinner Ruck: 20 min.

Week 2

Days per week: 4

Morning, midday, or evening Ruck: 30 min.

Week 3

Days per week: 4

45 min. Ruck

Week 4

Days per week: Every Other Day

60 min. Ruck

Enjoy!

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Active at Reed’s Crossing | Featured Member | David Jones

mark — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 06:16:35 +0000

Catapulted by his dedication to be a positive example for his daughter, David has made fitness a part of his lifestyle. Through learning new fitness skills, movement and building community at Active Wellness, he has felt the amazing benefits of fitness not only physically but even mentally/emotionally!

Read David’s story below to learn about his journey to fitness and how he’s reaching his goals!

David’s story: Firstly, I’ve struggled with depression for much of my life and being able to be active. Most of my life I’ve been overweight, with the heaviest being around 388 lbs at my daughter’s birthday, slightly more than 2 years ago.

I decided I needed to be a better example for my daughter so I started eating better and lifting weights. Then in February of last year I got her started in Jiu Jitsu and by May I was doing it myself. By August I was taking 2-3 classes of Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing a day, 4 days a week. By the end of the year I had gotten down to 256 lbs (130 lbs down). In October of last year, in an effort to level up my Jiu Jitsu game I started training Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and added yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Within a month I noticed some major improvements, but after a couple months it was time to find a new yoga studio.

After doing some research, I decided to try out the Active Wellness Center at Reed’s Crossing. Amazingly enough the main yoga instructor is the same one who had taught at my previous studio so I immediately felt comfortable. Also, thanks to Mario, the Kids Club was open later on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which was my day to be at AWC. In my time here, I found that the entire staff is amazing. The fitness instructors are always happy to take time to help with learning new exercises, help ensure I have correct form or to just hear about my successes.

Although I initially joined the Active Wellness Center just for the yoga, I’ve expanded to Victoria’s HIIT Express and Triple Threat classes. I really appreciate that she will offer different levels of each interval, from beginner to advanced. I always try to do the hardest level when I’m given options and somehow she always finds a way to step it up just out of my reach. I take this as a challenge and now I show up to her classes at least twice a week and often make all four of them. I will keep up one day!

I’ve also been pushed outside my comfort zone in more than just the physical sense. During the classes, Victoria often asks for a callback and she wasn’t getting it, so I felt like I needed to step up. One day I even encouraged another member when they stopped mid-exercise. As an introvert this was totally unlike me, but I got a thumbs up from another member so I kept it up. Occasionally I have members thank me for the encouragement, which makes me feel great and encourages me to keep pushing myself mentally/emotionally.

Even more recently, I had one of the staff encourage me to try out the Bachata/Salsa class. Never in a million years did I imagine I would be taking a dance class, but they even showed up and took the class with me to make me feel more comfortable. And it turns out I absolutely loved it and now it’s a regular class for me. So I guess my favorite thing about the Active Wellness Center is that I’m not only pushed to improve physically, but mentally and emotionally as well and that’s amazing. You simply won’t find that anywhere else.

Congratulations on your incredible results, David! We are so inspired by your story and your fitness journey and are happy to be a part of it! We sincerely appreciate you sharing your story and all the ways you spread inspiration and motivation to others!

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Summer Recipe: Green Chili Salsa & Crudités

mark — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 20:47:33 +0000

Heat up your summer snacking with a quick mix of these fresh ingredients. The immune-boosting garlic and spicy peppers will make this a weekend favorite. Serve with a platter of thinly sliced bell peppers, carrots, celery and jicama and enjoy!

Ingredients

1 can green chilies (drained)

1 can diced tomatoes (drained)

1 bunch green onions (chop)

3 fresh jalapenos (deseeded and rinsed)

1 bunch cilantro (finely chopped)

3 cloves fresh garlic (pressed)

Juice of 3 limes

Salt and Pepper to taste

Crudités (your favorite sliced veggies for serving)

Directions: Prepare all ingredients as listed above, then mix together using a spatula or the pulse setting on your blender. Happy snacking!

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Active’s Guide to Healthy Hormones

mark — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 05:44:51 +0000

What are hormones and what do they do?

Hormones are molecules that help regulate processes in your body, which ultimately impacts the function of pretty much everything – digestion, development, behavior/mood, etc. Think: cortisol, insulin, estrogen, progesterone and thyroid hormones – to name a few. To cut right to it, you absolutely cannot have hormones without nutrients. Nutrients are both the building block of hormones and the driver for processes involved in producing hormones. Hence why a balanced diet is the go-to (and seemingly over-stated, yet very relevant) recommendation from any dietitian.

What impacts hormone balance?

Since hormones impact how our body functions, it’s important that we make adequate hormones and keep them in proper balance in our body. When hormones are out of balance, you’ll feel it. Fatigue, headaches, mood changes, poor sleep, and digestive issues are just a few of the ways an imbalance might show up. So, what causes hormones to be out of balance? The simple answer is stress on your body – not just mental stress, but physical stressors. This is because your body utilizes nutrients differently when stress is present. For example, nutrients like sodium, potassium and magnesium tend to be in greater demand under stress (which you may not be supplying adequately through your diet). This lack of adequate nutrients can impact hormones like progesterone, testosterone and thyroid which often tend to see a drop. Downstream, other hormones and nutrients will be affected, and so on.

Things that can be a source of stress:

Poor sleep. This is when your body does a ton of recovery. If you can’t recover, you’re already starting behind.
Poor digestion. It doesn’t matter how healthy your diet is if you aren’t absorbing the nutrients needed to make, convert and utilize hormones.
Blood sugar imbalance. If your blood sugar isn’t balanced, it’s impossible to keep hormones balanced. When blood sugar is low, cortisol is released to help regulate this. If cortisol is constantly spiking, your body will prioritize it, and neglect other hormone production.
Supplementation (aka isolating nutrients). Everything is synergistic in your body – nothing works in isolation. So, if you’re supplementing with one nutrient, it’s more than likely impacting another nutrient and eventually, your hormones.
Under/over eating. This has to do with blood sugar regulation and nutrient balance.
Poor liver function. One of the liver’s main functions is to filter/break down hormones. If the liver is not functioning properly, it’s very difficult for your body to metabolize and use hormones properly.
Toxins. This impacts liver function, among other things.
Over/under exercising.

How can you support healthy hormones?

Balanced blood sugar. Eat enough, eat regularly and make sure your meals are well balanced with protein, fats and carbs.
Manage stress. Prioritize sleep and do the things that you know reduce your stress levels (easier said than done, I know). If you can reduce stress, you can better manage how your body uses nutrients.
Optimize digestion. This can look different for everyone, but some general tips include chewing your food well, sitting down to eat, going for a walk after meals and cooking hard-to-digest foods well. For more personalized tips, I suggest meeting with a dietitian.
Eat more nutrient-dense foods. When I say nutrient-dense, I mean foods that essentially give you more bang for your buck. Some examples include:
- Organ meats (often referred to as nature’s multivitamin; rich in B vitamins, bioavailable copper, vitamin A)
- Fruits (provide whole food vitamin C and other minerals)
- Shellfish (rich in selenium, zinc, iodine)
- Cooked leafy greens (calcium, magnesium, etc.)
- Dairy (good source of calcium and vitamin A)
- Bee pollen (B vitamins and bioavailable copper)
- Nutritional yeast (B vitamins)
- Coconut water or aloe juice (potassium)
- Starchy veggies (potassium and fiber-rich, slow burning carbs)
- Animal proteins in general (bioavailable protein source, B vitamins, etc.)

The bottom line is, if you recognize that you have symptoms of hormonal imbalance, it’s likely related to stress of some kind. Hormonal imbalances can get tricky, however, and it’s never as simple as just taking a supplement (in fact, I would recommend against blindly taking supplements). This is where working with someone can be helpful. Whether or not you choose to work with a practitioner, you can always get started by focusing on supporting your body with nutrient-dense foods and reducing known stressors!

Isabel Debnam

Registered Dietitian

This post was written by Isabel Debnam, a Registered Dietitian supporting the nutritional needs of Active Wellness Center at Petaluma and Napa, managed by Active Wellness.

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Healthy Favorites for our Summer Bag!

mark — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 23:51:10 +0000

Stock your bag for a fit and fun summer with this round-up of favorites from Team Active!

Sunscreen

Active’s VP of Human Resources Meredith DePersia knows skincare and how important sunscreen is, especially during the hot summer months. Here are her favorite picks for the whole family:

For Her: Coola Tropical Coconut SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray
For the Kids: Ocean Potion Sport 50 Sunscreen Lotion
For Everyone: Coola Radical Recovery Exo-Cert Organic After Sun Lotion

Why Meredith loves these products:

Coola Tropical Coconut SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray: It smells like summer and protects really well! It has UVA/UVB protection, is a cruelty free product, and is 70%+ certified organic, which is always a plus. They also have a face stick, a mineral version, a higher spf and a lotion option, plus other scents.

Ocean Potion Sport 50 Sunscreen Lotion: My oldest son is very fair-skinned and this is the only sunscreen that I have found that keeps him from burning. I have used this brand for so many years I have lost count!

Coola Radical Recovery Exo-Cert Organic After Sun Lotion: If the sun does get the best of us, though, I slather this on me and my kids. It smells amazing, soothes the skin and prevents peeling.

Tip: Sunscreen is an HSA/FSA eligible item, so you can stock up AND save!

Waterbottle

Our Chief Digital Officer Mike Rucker knows hydration is key to summer fun! Make sure to pack a water bottle with you and consider the HidrateSpark (enjoy a VIP discount with code acwell22 when you shop), the smart water bottle to empower individuals to live a healthier life through hydration.

Why Mike loves the HidrateSpark:

Staying well hydrated in the hot summer months is an important component of well-being, but it’s easy for me to forget to hydrate; or worse (without the nudge to drink h20), I’ll load up on diet coke or green tea instead of water.

Sunglasses

Marketing Manager Jessica Isle knows shades are vital when stepping out the door and loves Tifosi Sunglasses.

Why she loves Tifosi Sunglasses:

Lightweight and polarized, these have proven scratch-proof, sweat-proof, toddler-proof and bottom-of-my-bag-without-a case proof. At under $50 they make a great backup pair for summer! Find them at REI or an online retailer.

A few other products our team can’t live without in the summer months:

Waterproof Case
Water goes with summer but some things are vital to staying dry. Make sure to have a waterproof catch-all case for phone + card + cash like this one.

Sunsafe Chapstick
No one wants a sunburn, especially on the lips. Try this Sun Bun SPF 30 chapstick that comes in yummy flavors like strawberry.

Dog (or cat) Waterbottle for Travel
Keep Bingo hydrated with this travel water bottle + bowl + dog waste bag holder all in one. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe!

*Team Active content is not medical advice; it’s inspiration to live actively!

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5 Ways to Add Movement in During Summer Travel

mark — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 21:20:13 +0000

Your summer trip doesn’t have to get in the way of your workouts and getting in exercise so that you can feel your best. Try these tips to add more movement in during your summer travel plans.

Pack your walking shoes. Make sure to pack or wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes. If you’re at the airport or train station waiting for your trip, don’t just sit there – get up and explore, take a few laps. Challenge yourself to get in a few extra steps before you board. Having comfortable shoes may motivate you to move a little more when you might sit tight in those flip-flops.
Take the scenic route. Explore wherever you are by foot. Don’t be afraid to wander and discover new places. Not only is this good for the soul but a good way to build more steps into your day.
Be a kid again. Play chase, climb the jungle gym, do some hopscotch or jump rope. All those fun activities our kids do are a great way to break a sweat and have a little fun!
Hit the hotel gym or do a virtual workout before your day starts. Don’t let the day get ahead of you. If you have time, try out the hotel gym or do a virtual workout on your phone. You’ll be so glad you started the day with a workout and your endorphins will be flowing which guarantees you a feel-good day ahead.
Try something new. When we are outside our comfort zones and somewhere new, it’s a great time to push ourselves to do something we have never done before when it comes to fitness or movement. Consider kayaking, taking a surf lesson, or renting a bike to explore the city!

Remember, you are on vacation! Do what you can, when you can. It’s okay and good to relax and have downtime. Your workout might not be as intense one day or you might not hit your typical steps on vacation, but you’ll get back to it when you are back home. The goal of building activity into your vacation is to feel your best and enjoy your well-deserved time away!

*Team Active content is not medical advice; it’s inspiration to live actively!

Written by:
Elizabeth Studebaker, Active Senior Marketing Manager leads employee communications and new business marketing to support the organization.

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