​On Saturday, January 16th, the Government of Ontario announced it is extending nearly all emergency orders under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) for an additional 30 days.  The orders under the ROA, which were set to expire on January 20th, have been extended until February 19th.
 
Considering this news, our operations will remain online with fitness classes being offered via our private, members-only Facebook group and virtual personal/group training sessions.  It is our hope that we will be able to re-open the studio on Saturday, February 20th, pending the status of the lockdown.
 
Upcoming Workshops/Clinics

• Advanced Weight Training – This workshop was scheduled to start on Friday, February 19th.  Due to the lockdown extension, we will now plan to start this workshop on Friday, February 26th.  This will run for six weeks and end on Friday, April 9th (please note there will not be a class on Friday, April 2nd due to closure for Good Friday).
• Nordic Walking Clinic – This clinic is scheduled to start on Saturday, February 20th.  We hope to be able to start this clinic without issue on this date.

 
Thank you for your support throughout the highs and lows of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We look forward to reopening our doors to you as soon as it is safe to do so.

​As of Thursday, January 14th, the Government of Ontario enacted a stay-at-home order for at least the next 28 days.  This order is meant to keep people at home to stop the spread of COVID-19.  As a result, the studio will remain closed until at least February 11th.
 
Our full fitness class schedule will continue to be offered online via our private, members-only Facebook group.  As well, our personal and group training clients will be given the option to continue working with their trainer online.
 
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and advise of any changes which may affect our operations.
 
Stay safe.  Stay healthy.  Stay home.

​As of Saturday, December 26th, we will be in the GREY-LOCKDOWN level of the provincial COVID-19 response framework until Saturday, January 23rd.  As a result, we will not be able to offer any of our in-person services (ie., fitness classes, training sessions, appointments, workshops, etc.) during this time.
 
We will still be able to offer fitness classes and training sessions in-person at the studio this week (Monday, December 21st to Wednesday, December 23rd), then we will be shut down for Christmas holidays from Thursday, December 24th to Sunday, December 27th.  The changes outlined below will take effect on Monday, December 28th. 
 
Below are updates to our plans for the lockdown…
 
Fitness Classes to be Offered ONLINE

• Our full fitness class schedule will remain as scheduled, but instead, these classes will be offered virtually through our private, members-only Facebook group which was launched earlier this month.  Join us live at the scheduled date/time for your favourite classes.  And since these classes will run online, there is no limit to the number of attendees, nor do you need to sign up on WellnessLiving.
• To view our class schedule, please follow this link.
• We hope to be able to resume in-studio classes on Monday, January 25th.

 
Memberships/Passes

• Inspired Members – Your membership fees will continue as usual since our full class schedule will be available to you online.
• Inspired FRIEND Pass Holders – Unfortunately, we will not be able to have you join our online live classes; therefore, the expiry date on your current class pass will be extended until we are able to reopen.
• Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.  And remember, you can always visit your WellnessLiving profile to check up on your account, past payment history, etc.

 
Personal/Group Training

• Our personal/group training clients will be given the option to work out with their trainer via online training.
• You will be contacted directly to set these appointments up with your trainer.

 
Upcoming Workshops/Programs/Clinics

• Couch To Confident – This program is scheduled to start on Monday, January 25th.  We hope to be able to start this program without issue on this date.
• Advanced Weight Training – This workshop is scheduled to start on Friday, February 19th.  We hope to be able to start this workshop without issue on this date.
• Nordic Walking Clinic – This clinic is scheduled to start on Saturday, February 20th.  We hope to be able to start this clinic without issue on this date.

 
We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our community’s front-line workers for your bravery, sacrifice and steadfast compassion to protect us during this pandemic.  We stand behind you 100% to help flatten the curve!

As we are seeing a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in our province, we would like to remind our members of the importance of self-screening before entering the studio. Please use this picture as a guideline for self-screening each time you visit the studio and do not enter if: (1) you are experiencing symptoms; or (2) you have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days; or (3) you have had close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19. (Please note this sign is posted in the building hallway and at the back door of the studio for ease of reference.)
​
Thank you so much for your cooperation in keeping Inspired by Fitness a safe and healthy environment for all of us to enjoy during these trying times!

​We are honoured to support Wellspring Stratford’s fundraiser, “Light Up Wellspring”. We are collecting donations and candle dedications on their behalf at the studio. Tis the season of giving, and this is a special way to give back to the members of our community who are in need.

​Finding the perfect present for a loved one isn't always easy, so why not choose a gift that keeps on giving? An Inspired by Fitness gift certificate is more than a stocking stuffer - it's a chance to work out together, to discover something new and maybe even to change a life by opening the door to health and wellness! Our wide range of offerings means that whether you are buying for a spouse, parent, sibling, fitness enthusiast or total beginner, they are sure to find something they love!

​As of Monday, November 23rd, Huron Perth Public Health Unit region will be in the ORANGE-RESTRICT level of the provincial COVID-19 response framework in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

We have modified our studio operations slightly to accommodate this level.  Class size will be reduced to 9 participants per class (with the exception of Yoga and Spin which are reduced to 8 participants per class).  Personal workout spaces are clearly marked on the classroom floor which adhere to the 3-metre physical distancing standards.

We would like to remind our community that all safety protocols must continue to be followed including masks worn at all times except when participating in a fitness class/training session, compliance with physical distancing practices, hand sanitization, assigned personal workout spaces that observe 3 metres of distance between members, mandatory sign-up on WellnessLiving and self-screening before entry.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and advise of any changes which may affect our operations.  Thank you for your continued patience and understanding!

​At Inspired by Fitness, we are delighted to continue offering our Inspired community the best group fitness classes in Stratford.  We have over 120 classes available every month which means more than enough classes to accommodate all of our members!
 
In order to ensure the best level of instruction for each member while maintaining our health and safety protocols, we limit our classes to 10 participants and encourage members to sign up in advance via WellnessLiving.  If you choose to sign up for a class that is already full, you will have the opportunity to add your name to the waitlist.
 
Waitlists allow members to wait for an available spot in a fully booked class.  If a member cancels their booked class, the spot is opened up to the member who has been on the waitlist the longest.  Keep in mind that waitlists move quickly; therefore, waitlisted members often get bumped into class.
 
Keep these tips in mind…
 

• Make sure you opt-in to receive our email and push notifications.  These settings are automatically configured to ON in your WellnessLiving profile.  If you have turned them off for some reason, you will not get notified when you’re given the option to join the class from the waitlist.  We can only communicate with you when you are opted in.
• Whitelist our email address.  There is a chance our emails could get routed to your Junk folder; therefore, make sure you add info@inspiredbyfitness.ca to your Safe Senders list.
• It’s important to either accept or decline the waitlist promotion.  Once you receive the notification about waitlist promotion, please either accept or decline as soon as possible.  If you decline, this will allow the next person on the waitlist the opportunity to join the class.
• Book your classes in advance.  The WellnessLiving app lets you book classes three months ahead.  Booking in advance will increase the likelihood of you getting into your desired classes.
• Late cancel or no-show.  If you do not show up for your reserved spot or cancel less than two hours before the start of class, you will be charged a $10 cancellation fee.  We understand that matters come up and you may have to cancel your class, but this should not be more than a very few times.

 
Special notes for pass holders…
 

• If you are an Inspired FRIEND pass holder and you are not promoted from the waitlist before the class occurs, the visit is returned to your account after the class occurs.
• If you are using the Inspired ACCESS single session pass and you are not promoted from the waitlist before the class occurs, the single session is returned to your account.

 
Do not fret if you are on a waitlist.  We have many other classes and many other times to work out.  And who knows?  You just may find a new favourite class you wouldn’t have ordinarily signed up for!

​Let’s be honest … burpees are quite possibly the one exercise that makes you want to cringe and groan.  The one that makes you want to quit your workout and run out of the studio as fast as possible when you see that your instructor has added this dreaded exercise to your Circuit.
 
Growth happens outside of your comfort zone.  And burpees are the exact opposite of comfort.  Perhaps that’s what makes them seem difficult to do and so easy to hate.  But once you know the amazing benefits burpees have to offer, you may learn to hate them a little less.

1. Burpees hit different muscle groups at once.  Arms, chest, quads, glutes, hamstrings and abs – all in one exercise!  The burpee is made of movements that can increase strength, agility and balance at the same time which is perfect for a full body routine.
2. Burpees are amazing fat burners.  Your metabolism and heart rate increase rapidly by constantly moving up and down.  Such high intensity movements can burn up to 50% more calories than moderate exercise.  Research compares the effect of 30 seconds of fast burpees to a 30-second all-out sprint!
3. Burpees develop endurance.  Burpees can help to improve your muscular endurance, while the fast flow of movements can push your cardio limits at the same time.
4. Burpees make you stronger.  Since burpees are the ultimate example of functional fitness, not only can they help you meet your weight loss and fitness goals, but they can also help you perform better during everyday activities like carrying groceries, lifting items above your head or playing with your children at the playground.
5. Burpees can be done anywhere.  It doesn’t matter if you’re travelling, if you don’t have access to a gym or if you’re working outdoors – all you need is your own body to do them.

 
Whether you love or hate burpees, there’s no denying the results that they bring you.  Remember – your body can stand almost anything; it’s your mind you have to convince.
 
Need a little help to perfect your form?  Check out this video to see our Fitness Professional, Sherry Kresky, demonstrate three different burpee variations.