Confessions of a Fitness Trainer… National Health & Fitness Day will be different this year
Traditionally, National Health & Fitness Day provides a great opportunity to check out a fitness facility for the first time or try a new fitness class.
Started as part of an initiative to make Canada the fittest nation on earth, a law was passed in 2014 and since then, the first Saturday in June is officially recognized as National Health & Fitness Day. The idea was to promote physical activity as a way to better physical and mental well being for all Canadians.
In the past, gyms across the country would open their doors and invite the community to try out their classes and facilities free of charge. The day is an opportunity to move and explore, oftentimes, in the company of family or friends.
Last year, given the different restrictions across Canada due to the pandemic, a virtual National Health & Fitness Day was launched. It was a full day event featuring interviews with government officials, Olympic icons, TV celebrities, and some of Canada’s top fitness instructors leading a variety of different classes for people from coast to coast throughout the day.
Everyone made the assumption a year ago that National Health & Fitness Day would return to a larger scale in-person collection of events in 2021, yet, once again, this year’s National Health & Fitness Day initiatives will need to be adjusted.
Here in Manitoba, no one really knows what restrictions or health orders will be in place on June 5 making it nearly impossible for fitness facilities to plan National Health & Fitness Day events. It is highly unlikely that gyms will be open to resume regular operations so some fitness leaders are planning to lead a live virtual workout you can do from home while others are creating workouts for people to do on their own at any time throughout the day.
While it may not be the National Health & Fitness Day that we envisioned, it will still be celebrated.
Find a space in your home or yard or balcony or at the park to move. Make it fun. Keep it light. Try something new. If you want to connect with others, do a live virtual class. If health regulations allow, get out with a friend for a walk, run, or a bike ride. The most important thing is to take the opportunity to move.
Tips of the day
- Use National Health & Fitness Day as an opportunity to try something new.
* Get outside if you can – explore a new park or trail on foot or by bike.
* Just move…it doesn’t matter what you do or for how long. Register for the Surefire Fitness free virtual class, check GymPass.ca for a listing of community workouts to try, or download the National Health & Fitness Day app for ideas.
Kathryn McKenzie – B.H.Kin, B.Ed
Certified Kinesiologist, Sport Conditioning Specialist & Personal Trainer
Author, Pizza Lover & Owner of Surefire Fitness
