If you have a limitation, Fit Fighter is the best place to be

By Joan Janzen

The Fit Fighter group at Anytime Fitness celebrated its second anniversary. Three times each week, personal trainer Stephanie Vandewiele helps individuals with mobility issues and limitations. It helps individuals with Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, MS, arthritis, and other mobility issues. The goal is to help participants obtain a better quality of life.

The Fit Fighter group at Anytime Fitness recently celebrated its 2nd Anniversary. Personal trainer Stephanie Vandewiele says, “If you have a limitation, this is the best place to be!” PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

This simple exercise effectively eliminates night spasms in a person’s legs. PHOTOS BY JOAN JANZEN

Boxing helps with muscle-mind connection. It makes your mind and your body work together. PHOTOS BY JOAN JANZEN

“I will be forever grateful for my class!” Stephanie said. “I am honoured to work with such determined people. They truly are fighters. Everyone is different, but we are all there for the same reasons!” Fit Fighter offers enough diversity to allow any disability.

“Everyone is welcome; there are no limitations, just support and love all around,” she added. “It’s a holistic approach to achieving health and fitness goals and making dreams become reality.”

Karen Kornelson was instrumental in starting the group two years ago. Although her husband is no longer able to participate due to an injury, she said, “It’s a good thing for the community. When you do it as a group, that’s where you get the motivation. You need motivation.”

One individual has been a member of the group since it began two years ago. Russell makes the trip from Rosetown three times a week.

“I’ve had the experience of starting and stopping exercises, but coming here helps. Accountability helps because everyone expects me to show up,” he explained. And he’s been rewarded with valuable results. “I used to get night spasms in my legs. Now I don’t have them anymore.”

Another member of the group finds he no longer needs to use his walker as much and has lost six pounds.

Colleen Gilbert said the group has made the difference between night and day for her husband, Dale, who has Parkinson’s. “He loves it and hates to miss it,” she explained. “And Stephanie makes everything fun.”

Karen Kornelson also complimented Stephanie, admitting, “She is a perfect fit” for the group.

For the past thirteen years, Stephanie has worked in home care as a care assistant. “I worked with these guys at the hospital, and I’ve worked with multiple different limitations, so it’s been really easy to come here,” she explained. She’s a busy individual, as she manages to work two jobs.

Everyone in the group works at their own pace. “Your body will take the path of least resistance, so we need good form and posture for longevity,” she said.

Stephanie is passionate about what she does. “I need people to know what we’re doing here. If you have a limitation, this is the best place to be,” she said with enthusiasm. The exercises help improve upper and lower body, footwork, cardio, balance, and boxing helps your mind and body to work together. “It’s fun too!” Stephanie added. The one-hour sessions are also affordable.

“Fit Fighter meets a need in our community, but we need the numbers,” she stressed. “It’s a good thing for the community. It’s encouraging and offers support for one another.”