Climber woman

Climbing and Fear

June 21, 2021Team QuantumEducation, FitnessLeave a comment

Climbing is no different from any other activity to the extent that fear can be a considerable barrier or if appropriately used, a significant ledge upon which we can launch our favourite outdoor activity.

Fear can play a significant part in our everyday lives. Fear on the job, spouse or parent, or even driving can hold us back and prevent us from achieving our goals. Likewise, the fear of climbing and everything it brings with it can hold us back.

Just as preparation and training of your body are essential to be a safe and successful climber, so too must you prepare your mind. Strength and balance are good and helpful, but even more important is an accurate understanding of the challenges and dangers. Only then will you be able to deal with them. Like life itself, if we know and understand our fears, we can overcome them and go on to greater heights and challenges.

How do you deal with the fear? While the sport does involve equipment and support from fellow climbers, it still is just one person at a time in contact with the rock. And unless you can deal with and understand that, you are setting yourself up for great disappointment.

Understand that you must get into your subconscious fears that lie deep within us all with rock climbing. If you do that and work through the inner issues in your mind, you’re set to enjoy this wonderful, inspiring sport.

Business experts have shown that fear of failure can be a great motivator to achieve heights that many never imagined possible. Whether in rock climbing or business or relationships, understanding your fears can push you to greater and greater heights.

Now, go climb that rock!

Yoga for Kids

What Everyone Ought to Know About Yoga for Kids

April 16, 2021Team QuantumFitnessLeave a comment

Yoga can be done by anyone, young, old, even kids. With a little help, even toddlers can do it. Even though it is a simple introduction to yoga and done with a little bit of game playing, it doesn’t mean that kids cannot get the benefit out of this particular sport.

The benefits are:

  • To be healthier and help obesity in children. By taking yoga classes, kids are triggered to move. Nowadays, because of computer games, kids move less than they ought to.
  • To control their stress. Yes, children can get stressed out, too. Being overscheduled, tough competition in school, peer pressure, all cause your kids’ strain. Yoga can help them get relaxed. Their ability to control their breathing can be applied to deal with problems they face in real life.
  • Better concentration. Controlling breathing is a way to learn how to focus. And yoga can be an excellent way in learning that. Some studies have shown that kids who practice yoga, especially those with special needs, such as those with ADHD, can concentrate for longer periods.

Besides those benefits, yoga also can be a way for them to express themselves and develop their self-esteem. To those with special needs, it can be a way to learn how to socialize. The method is flexible. Yoga for kids mostly is modified with game-playing, singing, storytelling, drawing, simple breath meditations and rest. Poses are balanced between quiet and active ones. Children follow the teacher’s instructions by learning the names of different body parts, their locations and function. That way, their yoga improves very quickly. Yoga for kids should be enjoyable. Try to put your kids in a yoga class and see how they can grow stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally. And they can have lots of fun. Ask them to stop, they would refuse.

Support an Adult Fitness Tax Deduction

March 23, 2021Team QuantumFitnessLeave a comment

The fitness industry was hit hard by the pandemic, affecting everyone’s physical and mental health. With the health measures and social distancing in place, gym-goers significantly dropped between 20% – 40%. As COVID-19 lingers, this could continue to affect our health and wellness if no action were taken.

The proposed Adult Fitness Tax Deduction Bill is an excellent way to address this concern. Quantum Recreation is encouraging everyone to support the new Bill, which aims to help Canadians invest in their health & fitness and reinforce their support for the industry and local fitness centres.

The federal government is currently reviewing the Fitness Tax Deduction, and a decision is expected to be made by early April. This is the perfect time to show your support and make this successful. You could save between 15% – 33% on your membership dues annually if the bill gained enough support. This could also help save billions of dollars in potential health-care costs in the long run.

Let us show support for the fitness industry! Contact your local MP and ask them to support an adult fitness deduction. Just follow the simple steps below.

Step 1. Find your Local MP. Search in the Members of Parliament directory for your local MP. Just enter your postal code in the search bar and it will show your current MP. On their profile page, click the contact tab and copy their email address.

Step 2. Contact your MP via email. Now you just need to send them a brief message expressing your support for the Adult Fitness Tax Deduction. We’ve crafted a sample where you can pattern your message.

Dear Mr./Ms. (Last Name), MP:

This pandemic has taken a serious toll on the fitness industry. We can address this issue by advocating for the new Federal Adult Fitness Tax Deduction.

Exercise plays a key role in the physical and mental health aspects of one’s life. In Canada, fitness activity is currently at an alarmingly low level. We are all familiar with the benefits of being physically active. It lowers your risk for developing several commonly occurring health and mental illnesses and improves the quality of life, in general. It will provide even more benefits by reducing healthcare costs in the country in the future.

I strongly believe that fitness services should be considered as medical expenses. Our current situation with the pandemic is making this clear now than ever. The outbreak forced fitness and gym owners to close their businesses. With limited access to fitness services, Canadians are also losing motivation and commitment to their wellness as this pandemic drags on.

(Add more information about how the pandemic has impacted your fitness activities.)

The proposal to include fitness services as a tax deduction and claimed as a medical expense is now being considered for the 2021 budget. This tax deduction will not only support the health of Canadians but will also help to rebuild the fitness industry and the economy. Regarding this, I am appealing to you to consider advocating for this bill as part of the solution to our current healthcare and economic crisis.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

(Your Name)
(Contact Information)

New Measures on the Step 2 of the Path Forward

Key Takeaways From The Town Hall With Alberta Health Representatives (Step 2)

March 16, 2021Team QuantumQ_recreation InformationLeave a comment

The ARPA organized a Town Hall with Alberta Health representatives to clarify and answer questions on the new measures of Step 2 of the Path Forward.

Some of the Step 2 updates that came into effect on March 1st were the further easement of indoor fitness activities and libraries’ restrictions. Libraries are now allowed at 15% capacity. Fitness activities with low-intensity exercises or low-intensity group fitness are also now permitted. The order for high-intensity activity from Step 1 is still in effect with the one-on-one training consideration. There is a different guidance for sporting activities. The indoor fitness guidelines should not be used for team sports.

Some of the leading indicators showed a slight indication of spread resulting in caution in the Step 2 easement. Ease of restrictions on other items was later given on the second week of March. These are easements for banquet halls, community halls, conference centres, hotels, collegiate sport and recreation activities. Additional easements for performance and recreation activities and community easements for retail up to 25% capacity are also included in Step 2.

Further clarifications on the new measures were discussed. To effectively assess each case, the intention should be clear. Is it for fitness or training?

  • In an aquatic environment, low-intensity fitness at 3 metres distance to other people or low-intensity fitness group at 3 metres apart in a class setting is permitted. There is a requirement, however, to wear masks. No exceptions. The sector is advised to design a program and make it low intensity with minimum splashing and doesn’t require the head to get underwater. One of the parameters considered was permanent walled-off areas, with their own space and ventilation. It is the ideal setup in a facility. Facility operators can also consult their local health inspector and talk about what might work in their facility.
  • Community halls are open for the activities that are permitted. Youth-based recreation programs, wedding ceremonies and funeral ceremonies can take place. From a recreation perspective, guides, scouts, 4-H groups can have their group activity. This easement is not intended for a workplace to book a meeting. Where possible, it should be done virtually. It is still not a good time to bring people together.
  • For the distinction between high intensity and low intensity, note the risk. The heavier and harder the breathing is, the more risk there is. By definition, “Low-intensity fitness includes activities not focused specifically on cardio, which have a low depth and rate of respiration.” Normally, if you are out of breath doing the activity, it’s high intensity, but it depends on the individual. Hence, it is not just the facility operators, but the accountability is in all of us in making sure the recent guidelines are followed.
  • Minimal time in dressing rooms is still advised. Anytime that can minimize those shared spaces would be better. For an indoor group fitness setting, there is no max of 10 in a room. The restriction will be how many people can get in the room with the appropriate distancing of 3 metres. Also, a face shield is not a substitute for masks.
  • In cases where an animal welfare issue is involved, like horseback riding, the activity is not permitted considering the idea of sport. But exercising the horse could go.

Most of the time, it always comes down to the intent and the age group. If it’s a permitted activity, it can take place in any setting unless stated otherwise. Next is intent and then the age group. The Alberta Health representatives are always monitoring the leading indicators to make sure trends are not moving in the wrong direction. You may refer to the Town Hall recording and the Enhanced Public Health Measures for additional information on the new measures of Step 2.

Gym

What happens if gyms close forever – how will we work out? Will we improve our fitness levels?

January 27, 2021Team QuantumFitnessLeave a comment

Each of us has altered our fitness regimes during COVID 19, and the regulations have impacted the viability of local gyms, including permanent closures. The question now is if we will return to our old fitness regimes and support local gyms or continue to work out at home. If we work out from home, can we maintain or improve our fitness levels?

Fast Company has predicted that gyms will not come back, and initial surveys found 76% of people have been working out at home, and 66 % prefer it (http://www.fastcompany.com/). The fitness industry is adapting and using innovation to launch new equipment or on-line platforms for people to use at home. With new equipment and on-line options, people have a choice to work out at home or go back to the gym.

Harvard Health has listed the pros and cons of joining a gym or working out at home (http://www.health.harvard.edu).

Joining a Gym

  • The benefits include providing options with equipment or facilities to workout, the availability of fitness classes or spotter for safe lifting, no distractions, and increased motivation or a boost from being around other people to encourage you to work harder.
  • The challenges include the cost, the hassle to accommodate their schedule, access to equipment, and the additional time commitment to participate.

Working Out at Home

  • The benefits include convenience (you do not have to pack a bag or drive anywhere), creating your own workout time or schedule, no monthly costs after investment in equipment, and your ability to create variety with workout apps or live-streaming.
  • The challenges include boredom from being at home with limited equipment or workouts, lack of motivation with a million excuses not to exercise, and the space in your home for equipment or space for training.

If gyms do not return and people workout at home, will they continue to be motivated, keep up their exercise regimes, and maintain their fitness levels.

If you are self-motivated, working-out at home is easy, and you will exercise no matter what. However, if you find way too many distractions or excuses to exercise, then the gym is an excellent workout option.

The critical question is, will we maintain or improve our fitness levels if gyms close permanently. There is a loss of camaraderie, motivation, accountability, and even fun you gain from being with a personal trainer, instructors, or fellow participants at the gym or fitness class. As you see, other people working out or spurred on by an instructor encourages us to push ourselves and ultimately improve our fitness levels. Can we get the same results through on-line platforms or working out by ourselves.

Quantum Recreation and JPRM June is parks and rec month

Shhhh… Listen! Do You Hear The Sound Of “June Is The Recreation And Park Month?”

May 29, 2020Team QuantumQ_recreation InformationLeave a comment

June is Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM) is to celebrate and encourage you to get out and enjoy the many advantages of recreation and parks. JRPM promotes the benefits of being active and recognizing the contribution that recreation and parks make to the quality of life.

A great initiative that began in 2005 in the province of Ontario has extended to all of Canada. With JRPM events ranging from fishing derbies to free swim days at the local pool. Families and residents can get active and enjoy the many health benefits that recreation and parks provide. In Alberta, this year JRPM will be focusing on connecting people together, and with nature, through recreation and parks. 

BENEFITS OF JRPM

JRPM may look a little different this year due to COVID-19, but there are still plenty of activities and events to participate in while practicing physical-distancing.  Here are some of the key benefits from the benefitshub: 

Help Build Strong Families and Communities

It is proven that if families and couples share recreation pursuits, they are more likely to stay together. These pursuits allow us to come together and explore different forms of both families and communities. Many people who participate in recreation activities are often catalysts that build strong, self-sufficient, and sustainable communities.

Economic

Recreation also is an economic driver. During the pandemic, fitness equipment, bicycle, and R. V. sales have increased. With the work from Healthwellnesscoalition, we know that these small businesses are crucial for the economy  because recreation, fitness, sport, arts, culture, parks, and open spaces are significant employment generators.

Personal Health

We know that being active has a lot of physical health benefits, a reduction in obesity, some cancers and diabetes. But there is also the mental  health of individuals that recreation can provide benefits. This is more important than ever during the Covid-19 pandemic; recreation can reduce stress and depression and manufacture social connections between people. WE have seen an increase in apps and online clubs for people to complete races or challenges to still stay connected while recreating.

JRPM is only one month, but the benefits last all year long. So, for 2020, get out, recreate and create those connections while remaining at a six foot distance.

Adapted from: http://benefitshub.ca/recreation-benefits-statements/

Best Practices for Cleaning Gyms

May 20, 2020Team QuantumFitnessLeave a comment
Quantum Recreation Gym Cleaning COVID
How to Clean Your Gym Post Covid

As the COVID-19 spreads throughout the globe, many businesses have been struggling to stay open for their customers. Gyms and recreational centres have also been suffering a lot from this pandemic.

Various gyms and recreational centres are now putting effective precautions in place for the public’s safety. They assure people that if they’re safe from the infection, they can visit the gym and recreational centres without any fear.

Guidelines For Gyms

Here are some guidelines that gyms can follow to ensure the safety of their visiting members and the general public.

  • Create different time blocks for the gym members to exercise, with disinfecting and cleaning between the time blocks.
  • Check the temperature of the gym members and any other visitors.
  • Install a sanitizing station with hand sanitizers and soaps for the members.
  • Follow the Safe Distancing gyms guidelines. Place the exercise machinery at a safe distance.
  • If any member exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, immediate medical help should be availed. The place should be disinfected afterward.

By following these highlights and the proper Covid-19 hygiene for surfaces, gyms keep their members safe. However, the members should be made aware of the possible infections.  A gym cleaning protocol should also be followed.

COVID-19 Gym Cleaning Protocol

Here is the cleaning protocol that gyms can follow to stay safe during the pandemic.

  • Staff must wash their hands thoroughly before and after cleaning the gym equipment.
  • Personal Protective Equipment should be worn by the gym’s staff.
  • Proper disinfecting wipes or spray should be used to clean the surfaces properly.
  • Leave the disinfecting liquid on the surfaces for a while to allow them to function properly.
  • All of the PPEs and used equipment should be disposed of after disinfecting the facility.

For The Clients

Clients can follow these tips.

  • Cover the equipment’s surface with a towel before using it. It creates a physical barrier between your body and the equipment’s surface.
  • The surface should be cleaned properly after use, especially if you’ve sweated on it during exercise.
  • Wash your hands properly after using the gym’s equipment. This can stop the spread of the virus.