​If you’re going to be away from the studio on holidays this month, we have a couple of fun games for you to take along with you!  The Deck of Cards Workout Game and Dice Fun Fitness Game, which we featured at our Spring Into Fitness Open House, are a great way for you to engage the whole family in fitness fun.  Just print the pictures below and pack them in your going-away bag along with a deck of cards and a set of dice.
 
We’d love to see you in action!  Snap a picture or take a video of your workout and share with us on social media by using the hashtags #inspiredbyfitness and #teaminspired.

​Summer is here and we’re excited to get outside for Summer Outdoor Boot Camp and Mommy & Me Outdoor Boot Camp!  We find that exercising outside in the amazing summer weather can be more stimulating than being inside the studio, but it does require more preparation, and in some cases, caution.  Below you will find some tips for you (and your little one) to keep you healthy, safe and prepared.
 
Tips for Adults:

• Wear lighter-coloured clothes with less weight and moisture-wicking ability.
• Wear sunscreen on your face, neck and hands.
• Bring a spray bottle to quickly cool yourself down if those burpees get too much to handle.
• Pack a small towel to wipe your never-ending forehead sweat.
• Bring two bottles of water with lots of ice to quench your thirst.  If you have a tendency to cramp, add a little Gatorade to your water (about 1/4 Gatorade per bottle).
• Wear sunglasses or a brimmed hat.
• Modify your exercises if you feel yourself overheating.

 
Tips for Babies:

• Keep babies under one year of age out of direct sunlight to prevent skin damage and dehydration.
• Keep babies in the shade whenever possible.  By bringing your stroller, you will have instant shade right at your fingertips.
• Remember, sunscreen will protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays but will not protect babies from the heat.  Do not put sunscreen on a baby less than six month of age without asking your health care provider first.
• Give baby lots of cool liquids.  Water or breast milk are best.

 
Outdoor exercise can be enjoyable and productive, and by following the simple tips above, you can enhance your chances of being safe, responsible and prepared.
 
Summer Outdoor Boot Camp will be held for eight weeks on Tuesdays from July 2nd to August 20th from 7:10 to 7:55 pm (and will replace Tuesday evening Circuit classes for the duration).  Mommy & Me Outdoor Boot Camp will be held for six weeks on Mondays from July 8th to August 19th from 11:00 to 11:45 am (and will replace regular Mommy & Me classes for the duration).  Both sessions will be held at the Stratford Festival Archives parking lot (right beside Inspired by Fitness).  In case of inclement weather, we will bring the classes indoors.

Canada Day is the official kick-off to summer in the Great White North!  It’s easy to throw caution to the wind and “reward” yourself by getting a little off-track while celebrating, right?  Follow the tips below to stay on track with your fitness goals over the long weekend.
 
At a BBQ:
If you’re a guest, consider contributing a healthy, homemade dish or salad.  Your host will appreciate the gesture, and you will rest easy knowing you have at least one healthy option to choose from.
 
At the Lake:
Carve out some time before you head out to chop a few fruits and veggies to throw in your cooler.  And don’t forget to pack lots of water – it’s a great inhibitor to increased cravings as you’re surrounded by all the tempting junk food and bevvies.
 
Around the Camp Fire:
You don’t have to deprive yourself of the delicious s’mores and roasted weenies, but you can look for healthier alternatives.  Try turkey wieners instead – they’re only 90 calories and contain 6 grams of fat.  And if you want to make a s’more healthier, just add fruit!  Use a couple of banana slices to house your roasted marshmellow instead of graham crackers and substitute almond butter for chocolate.
 
On the Road:
Pack snacks!  If you plan ahead, you can add rice cakes, fresh fruits and veggies to your cooler.  If you have to grab something at a rest stop, try beef jerky.  With over 15 grams of protein per ounce and minimal fat/carbs, it’s your best bet.
 
At the Parade:
This is for the kids.  Allow them to trade in their sugar-filled candy and put it towards a toy like water guns or sidewalk chalk.  A bit of candy in moderation isn’t going to hurt them; however, a toy that encourages them to be active outdoors is a win-win.
 
Most importantly, have fun this long weekend!  And don’t forget we have our Modified Holiday Fitness Schedule up and running on Canada Day (Monday, July 1st) with Boot Camp & Stretch with Sherry from 8:30 to 9:30 am!  Sign-up on our WellnessLiving site.

​The six-week Summer Slimdown Fitness Challenge has ended, and it’s time to announce our winner.  But first, we want to tell everyone who participated that you are all amazing and did such a great job!  We hope everyone was able to learn something new and gain some healthy habits while losing weight/inches.  Thank you for joining in on the fun and fitness!
 
And now, the winner of the Summer Slimdown Fitness Challenge was Kayla Minhinnick!  Kayla lost 5.4 pounds and 18.5 inches – a total percentage loss of 8.28%!  Congratulations, Kayla!
 
Our next six-week fitness challenge, Fit For The Holidays, will be held at the end of this year.  Keep your eye on our social media sites for more details and join us as we embrace the holiday spirit while finishing 2019 strong!

​We want to send a big shout out to everyone on Team Inspired who took part in the Rugged Maniac 5K Obstacle Race & Mud Run today at Chicopee Ski Resort in Kitchener.  We had so much fun tackling obstacles like Feed The Beast, Slippery Slope and Pyromaniac, and the ear-to-ear smiles on everyone’s faces as they crossed the finish line was awesome.  Every accomplishment, no matter how big or small, is meant to be celebrated, and we are so proud of each and every one of you!

We are so excited to finally launch our Inspired by Fitness app powered by WellnessLiving!  You will now have the opportunity to easily view our schedule and book into fitness classes to reserve your spot, all from the comfort of your home, office or on-the-go with your smartphone.  Within the next few days, all registered members and pass holders will receive an email to create their WellnessLiving account.  After that, registering for our classes and managing your account will be a breeze!  You’ll also see class descriptions and which one of our instructors will be teaching it.
 
There are several ways you can register for a class once your WellnessLiving profile has been created:

1. ON A PC OR LAPTOP.  Click HERE to navigate to our WellnessLiving site and sign-in with your credentials.
2. THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.  Click HERE to navigate to our website and click on the green BOOK NOW button beside the class(es) you want to register for.
3. THROUGH FACEBOOK.  Click HERE to navigate to our Facebook page and click on the blue BOOK NOW button in the top right corner of the page.
4. USE OUR COOL ACHIEVE APP.  For those who like the convenience of an app at their fingertips, our custom Inspired by Fitness Achieve app is the way to go!  Available for iOS and Android users, just search for “Inspired by Fitness” in the Apple App Store or Google Play, download it and book your classes on the go.
5. ATTEND THE STUDIO IN PERSON.  Come to the studio at least 15 minutes before your class is scheduled and your instructor will help you set up your own WellnessLiving profile.  You can always register for classes in person or use one of the new options above.

 
Although pre-registration is not required to attend a class at Inspired by Fitness, it makes for an easy arrival and is appreciated so we can plan the workouts accordingly.  (Those who register are ensured a space in the class; however, we will always do our best to accommodate everyone we can.)  Please register for classes 24 hours in advance, and remember to cancel online if you are unable to make the class.
 
We are confident we have made the best decision for the future of our brand by partnering with WellnessLiving, which allows us to connect technology with fitness.  And as always, we remain eager to help you achieve your goals and accelerate your growth!

Team Inspired was proud to take part in this year's Relay For Life to fight back against cancer.  Cancer impacts our friends, our members, our employees and their families.  Cancer impacts people in the community we serve.  That's why we are proud, longtime supporters of this most worthy cause.  We've all been impacted by cancer, and we can all come together to do something about it.

​We are excited to roll out our new membership system on May 1st.  Not only will this new system complement the imminent Inspired by Fitness app, but it will help you commit to your fitness goals.  With 14 different classes and a variety of time offerings throughout the week, we are confident you will be able to maximize your membership to its full potential!
 
You may still be asking yourself the question, “should I stay, or should I go?”  Let us remind you of what has made Inspired by Fitness “Stratford’s Favourite Fitness Studio”:
 

• Quality vs. quantity!  You are not just a number to us; we care about your fitness goals!  Think of it as personal training without the cost.  Instead of struggling through a fitness class or risking injury, our instructors provide personalized attention to make sure members stay safe, get a quality workout, offer modifications for injuries and make classes fun, challenging and unique.  And with a ratio between 8:1 and 15:1, you will get plenty of face time with your instructor to ask questions if you need modifications or amplifications.
• Community!  The biggest thing people miss out on by going to a big box gym is community.  You initially go to fitness classes for one thing, but the community and relationships you build with other members and instructors keep you coming back.
• Competition and camaraderie!  Everyone is “in it together” which naturally lends itself to camaraderie among members.  For people who like to be social, this is an important factor.  For those who are competitive, the social aspect is valuable because with a little camaraderie comes friendly competition, pushing you to work harder than the person next to you.  With both your fellow members and the instructor pushing you, you’ll work harder than if you’d gone at it alone.

 
We would like to thank everyone for their feedback since we made the initial announcement.  We know that change can be challenging, so please remember that we will always be 100% focused on commitment to quality.  At Inspired by Fitness, you will always receive personalized attention in a fun and inspiring community!  Below, you’ll find answers to some of the common questions we received…
 
Give me a simple price justification.

• With our ADDICT membership, you will pay $80 a month for 12 months.  In general, an effective fitness regime would consist of four days per week if you’re aiming to improve your fitness and stay in shape.  So, four days a week with usually four weeks in a month would equal only $5.00 per class.  That’s such a small price to pay for your health and well-being!

 
I want to sign up for a membership but will be taking the summer off.  What do I do?

• ADDICT and ELITE members are entitled to a Membership Hold.  After the initial two-month term of your membership, you will have the option to place your membership on hold once per calendar year for a minimum of two weeks (14 days) and a maximum of eight weeks (56 days).  Your account will not be charged for the time away during your membership hold (ie., if you are away from the studio for two weeks, you will only be charged half of your membership price for that month).

 
I only come to one class a week.  What is the best option for me?

• The FRIEND pass is a 20 class pass which expires after 120 days.  This would mean ~16 classes in the 120-day time frame and then you could pick up a few extra classes to make up the difference.  The INSIDER membership is another option which gives you one month of unlimited classes with no contract.  And finally, the ACCESS pass is a one-time drop-in fee.

 
I want to participate in the Summer Slimdown Fitness Challenge.  What is the minimum membership commitment for me to do this challenge?

• There are three options:  (1) The ACCESS pass for six drop-in classes (one per week); (2) The FRIEND pass for a 20 class pass (you can do 20 classes in the six weeks which works out to approximately three classes per week); (3) The INSIDER membership for one month of unlimited classes plus the ACCESS pass for two additional drop-ins.  All of these options do not require a contract.

 
At Inspired by Fitness, we are always looking for ways to keep things fresh, fun and challenging.  Over the next couple of months, you can expect to see new classes, additional time offerings and transformative programs/workshops/events.  And in a rapidly growing technological world, our new app will help you meet your goals and stay on track by scheduling your workouts, all at your fingertips!