I Tried The Retro Walking Trend!

I Tried The Retro Walking Trend!

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

As part of my summer break routine which focuses on recovery, mobility, and light training, I thought I may as well add in slow RETRO WALKING  (basically it's walking backwards).

Retro walking has blown up all over Instagram with some people doing it on a treadmill and others with sledges. Some sports like hockey and soccer train their players to move backwards so that they can see their opponents, which means that they end up targeting and strengthening muscle groups that the average person, like me, does not train everyday. While some dances do have backwards movements, they aren't performed for long period of time.

After reading some articles by Cleveland Clinic, McGill, and UCLA (cited below) on retro walking and learned that it can help reduce knee pain, burn more calories, and work the glutes, hips, and hamstrings more than forward walking which relies on calf and quad muscles more, I knew I had to hop on board.

Here’s what I found from backwards walking off the bat:

  • It’s FUN! I ended up laughing a lot as you see in my clips because it felt funny doing it

  • I didn’t feel any pain in my knee joints or on the bottoms of my feet, specifically my arches. This was a BIG bonus for me as I still need to move while I recover from right knee pain and foot arch pain caused by fallen arches.

  • I was pretty slow because I didn’t want to hit my toes against anything and hurt myself. This forced me to concentrate and make a mind, body, and soul connection.

  • It forced me to stand up tall (like a posture correction) so that I wouldn’t loose balance and fall

  • I felt my hip flexors and heels take on a lot of the impact (not sure if this is good for me yet)

  • I found that walking backwards with weights in both hands or in one hand pushed me down into my heel and toes

  • I will continue to do backwards walking with weights because it has not hurt my knees or feet so far

    My tips if you’re going to try it out:

  • have a clear space free of any objects and toys and put padding on anything sharp

  • start with your shoes on to prevent any slip and falls and hurting your feet and ankles

  • try walking backwards close to a wall in case you need to hold it for support

  • do not use any weights yet

Check out the articles below for more about walking backwards and it’s benefits:

Cleveland Clinic: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-walking-backwards

UCLA Health: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-backward-may-have-link-increased-cognition#:~:text=It%20can%20strengthen%20the%20muscles,be%20kinder%20to%20those%20joints.

McGill University: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/benefits-backward-walking-are-not-solid-ground

BBC: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231110-why-walking-backwards-can-be-good-for-your-health-and-brain

Performance Lab: https://www.performancelab.com/blogs/joint-support/why-is-everyone-walking-backward-on-tiktok?srsltid=AfmBOopcCrXwq4UAIi04r34tdozu_tNddpB2_BPhjL4qSqYBkQH4W3-m

Bringing Street Safety To Young People: 2025 Dance & Street Safety Series

Bringing Street Safety To Young People: 2025 Dance & Street Safety Series

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

This June, I was lucky to run three FUN-FILLED sessions for youth ages 13 to 19 for the 2025 PartciPACTION Community Challenge. With their generosity, the City of Toronto, and 3 host organizations, we got approximately 40 youth to turn off their cells and BUST A MOVE!

Since 2019, the goal of the safety series has been to get youth to move more and feel safe as they walk around their neighborhoods, with an emphasis on those living in areas tackling high gun violence rates.

I believe kids and teens should feel safe when walking to and from school, from a friend’s house, and from work or volunteering in the day and night.

Here are 5 takeaways from the June series

  • For the first time, all of our sessions were co-ed with a high number of teen boys ages 13 to 19 participating

  • Youth learned how their stance, posture, and eye contact could play a BIG role in how safe they were on streets through fun games and drills

  • We touched on distracted walking (looking down at a cell or listening to loud music on our earphones while crossing the street) and how certain footwear can lead to slip and falls. We agreed that personal injuries SUCK and can keep us away from the activities we love, like sports and dance!

  • Together, boys and girls brain stormed ways to address and escape different situations like being followed home from a party to someone trying to follow them home from the mall

  • All host organizations were consulted in advance on how we could deliver a session for their community effectively

I would like to thank our host organizations for collaborating with me for a 6th year, Jessica and Tanya at AlbionBGC, Cori at RCHC, and Alyssa at McGregor Park CC and Eileen at Malvern CC. Thank you to our sweet dance instructors Jess and Alejandra.

Please keep an eye out for our 2nd kid’s Halloween Dance & Safety series coming in October.

Sumera

 

Why We Offer Online Dance & Fitness Classes

Why We Offer Online Dance & Fitness Classes

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

When we first shifted our in-person programs online in March 2020, it was due to the first pandemic-related lockdown in Toronto. We had no idea how to deliver a GOOD online class! We were barely getting by and hoping everything would go back to normal. After almost 2 years of on-and-off restrictions on dance and fitness, however, our instructors accepted the situation and we worked together to improve our online class experience with a lot of trial and error.

Once dance and group fitness reopened fully in Toronto, I saw a lot of hesitancy from our members about returning, especially from those still working remotely or living with health issues. That’s when I decided it was important to continue offering virtual classes 1 to 2 days a week to support the mental and physical health of those who choose to join us seasonally.

For the past 5 years, we have been able to run 10 different virtual dance and fitness classes in Toronto including Adult Bollywood Fitness and Bollywood Dance, Caribbean Dance Fitness (Socacize), Latin Dance Fitness for women and girls, Yoga Flow for kids and adults, Belly Dance Fitness, Hawaiian and Tahitian Dance Fitness (Hula), Barre Fitness, Mom and Baby Fitness, and our annual free youth dance and safety series.

Here are 5 things you can expect from our online classes

  1. Caring Instructors

    Our instructors are given insight into the participants joining that program (based on their PARQs and responses) and provide modifications to help participants of various ages and fitness levels. If we have a woman who is pregnant or a participant living with a chronic health condition, we offer tips on how they can make the most out of the class and try to avoid injuries and discomfort.

  2. A Strong online experience

    We use Zoom so we can share our music directly from our devices while we cue with our voices and hands. Whether we use microphones or earphones, we try to make sure participants can hear the music. When an instructor is not well heard, we know that using our hand gestures or cueing movements before a song may be a good option too. We try our best to have a strong internet connection, but sometimes things impact that, and we make up for that by offering extra time.

  3. A Social Outlet

    For those who cannot leave their homes (i.e. physical limitations, injuries, caregivers), online programs are a great option. They allow someone to improve their physical and mental health while bonding with others before the class starts through a quick chat or the textbox. It was through our class chats that we found out more about class participants who were joining us from Brazil, Japan, and New York!

  4. An intimate-setting

    We allow up to 15 participants in our online classes for a personalized experience. We get to know the names of our members and learn more about what they’re up to, from their family life to travels to what they eat for dinner!

  5. They can stay active anywhere

    For those who travel for work often, online classes give them the option to join us from wherever they are and from any device, be it a cellphone or tablet. I notice that members who travel a lot for work tend to hold off on registering for in-person programs regularly and this can impact their fitness plans.

To check out our online programs, click here.

5 Benefits of Our Kids Yoga Class

 

Amelia and Rose doing a Tree pose in our outdoor kid’s fitness program

5 Benefits of Our Kids Yoga Class

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

  1. We Instruct an Age-Appropriate Class

    Kids are not mini-adults, kids are kids! To encourage kids to join us after a hard day at school, our kid’s Yoga class includes FUN icebreakers and fun warm-up games, playful animal safari rhythms, and pair bonding activities.

  2. We Encourage Emotional Regulation

    Fights and conflicts happen all of the time - at home, at school, and sometimes on the street. Kids must learn to handle and resolve conflict positively (without violence or yelling and screaming). In our Yoga classes, our breathing techniques can help children calm themselves down when they feel angry, hurt, or upset, and bring their nervous system down. We know that when we’re feeling better, we make better decisions.

  3. Strength and Flexibility Training

    Many Yoga poses are known to improve full-body strength and flexibility which can in turn help kids excel in school sports and physical activities. Research shows that having good skeletal muscles can help us recover from injuries and illness. Giving kids the chance to grow strong lean muscles at an early age can help keep them dancing and playing the sports they LOVE for years to come.

  4. We're Trained to Work with Kids of all Levels

    Sumera was lucky to receive training in the Coaching Association of Canada’s Fundamental Movement Skills program and understands that all kids develop differently and perform based on their past and current experiences. Any kids instructor under Sumera must have experience instructing kids of all ages and levels, valid CPR training, and a police check VSC.

  5. Positive Social Connections and Opportunities

    During the pandemic-related lockdowns in Toronto, kids became used to entertaining themselves with devices and social media. Our kid’s Yoga class gets kids to POWER OFF THEIR DEVICES for an hour and connect with other kids their age face-to-face through our games and pair activities. Social opportunities help kids feel happier, better about themselves, and more confident in their everyday lives.

For more information on our Kid’s Yoga Fitness class, click here.

Why It's Important To Go SLOWLY During The Holidays

Why It's Important To Go SLOWLY During The Holidays

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

Happy November members,

The holiday season is approaching and I would like to say that it is perfectly fine to take it SLOWLY. I know the holiday season is full of super delicious drinks and treats - which can be scary for someone who is trying to control their diet, hormones, and weight. Doctors often tell us that the solution is simply to "move more and eat less." While this may be the case for some, many personal trainers and fitness professionals, like myself, see how much our members are doing and think that doing LESS may be needed too. Let me explain...

As some of our class participants may know, I was unwell in the winter and spring term. As a result, I gained 15 lbs in 2 months and my blood pressure skyrocketed. I could not eat, talk, sleep, and/or instruct normally which affected my ability to earn a living. To get my immunity, energy, and metabolism back to a better state, I spent our Summer break away from intense cardio and exercises that would create more fatigue. The first thing on my list was to improve my sleeping - I hadn't slept well in months. I then increased my protein intake and calories to build more muscle. I reduced ultra-processed foods to eliminate some toxins in my body. I then went into slow strength training at my own pace - I targeted the largest muscle groups through compound exercises. Once I felt better, I made plans to go out and was not so scared of feeling discomfort or pain.

If you plan on attending holiday parties and gatherings, here are 3 small things you can do to stay on track and help keep your immunity, energy, and metabolism steady.

1. Remember to get enough sleep and take your supplements (if you do not know your biomarkers, please get a check-up and bloodwork done)

2. Eat lean protein first (protein helps us feel full)

3. Move at your own pace to reduce fatigue and burnout - Strength training is ideal, but if you're not comfortable with weight lifting or the bodyweight exercises that we do in our group fitness classes, do work with a skilled personal trainer or kinesiologist and create a plan that you can do once or twice a week at home. If you can go for little walks when it's not too cold outside that's a great way to get fresh air and sunlight. Getting the chance to dance with friends and family to your favorite tracks is also a great way to boost your mood and stay active - for me, it’s all about Hip-hip, 80s’, Latin, and classic Bollywood tracks.

For a 30-second look at my summer mobility and strength training, click here.

Wishing you a winter season full of good friends, health, and joy,

Sumera

2 Delicious & Healthy Christmas Desserts

Hello Friends,

The holidays are around the corner and that means there will be lots of delicious treats. From Hannukkah to Christmas to New Year’s Eve, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy active lifestyle and diet.

After losing my dad, as a kid, to diabetic complications and then watching my grandmother almost lose a leg due to a diabetic foot condition, our family has come together and made it a habit of making delicious meals and desserts that are both nutritious and better balanced. We know that giving up everything can lead to binge eating and the opposite results. 

Here are two festive desserts that you can bring to any Holiday party this season and not feel too guilty about eating them or giving them away ;).

Sumera’s Bran Loaf with Cranberries and Pumpkin Seeds (1-Bowl Dessert with No Refined Sugar or Dairy)

Ingredients (all room temperature except for the frozen berries)

  • 2 cups bran flakes

  • 1 cup spelt flour or all-purpose flour

  • 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

  • 1 cup dairy-free milk or cold Earl Grey tea

  • 1 large free-run egg (can remove the egg yolk to reduce the cholesterol)

  • 1/3 cup raw honey

  • 1/3 cup vegan butter or any mild flavored oil like vegetable or canola

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • a pinch of salt

  • 1 1/2 cup of frozen cranberries (you can add frozen bananas or blueberries but it will increase the amount of sugar in the recipe)

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8 x 8 loaf pan with parchement paper

  2. In a large bowl, add all of the wet ingredients and whisk together. Mix in the baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then add in the bran, flour, pumpkin seeds, and cinnamon, and fold together. Fold in the frozen cranberries and mix lightly.

  3. Scoop the batter into the pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is light brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out slightly clean

  4. Leave to cool and then slice. Best served the next day.

Nutritional facts: high in fiber and antioxidants, medium in carbohydrates, and low in cholesterol and sugar.

Sumera’s Snow Log Coconut Bars (Food-Processor Dessert with No Refined Sugar, Dairy, or Gluten)

Filling Ingredients (all room temperature) - makes 8 medium bars/logs

  • 1/4 cup coconut cream or coconut condensed milk

  • 2 1/2 to 3 cups shredded unsweetened coconut

  • 1/2 cup of almond flour

  • 1 tbsp Vanilla extract

  • a pinch of salt

Chocolate coating

  • 1/2 tsp instant coffee

  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips dairy-free (55% or higher)

  • 4 tbsp vegan butter or coconut oil

Method:

  1. In a food processor pulse all of the filling ingredients together until a paste is formed (6 to 8 pulses). Make the bars/logs from the mixture. Place them on a tray lined with parchment paper. Put in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden.

  2. Melt the chocolate chips, coffee, and butter on the stove or in the microwave for 60 seconds or until the chocolate chips have melted and the texture is shiny and slightly thin. If you want it runny, you can add more vegan butter/oil.

  3. Dip the bars in the melted chocolate and code them the way you want. Place them back on the tray and put them in the freezer for 30 minutes.

  4. Once the chocolate sets, you can put the logs in a tin and store them in the fridge for up to 7 days.

    Nutritional facts: high in iron and fiber, low in carbohydrates, moderate in fats.

Cheers To 10 Years: Remembering My First Class

2018 promoting our 1st Newcomer’s Dance Too! Project in Flemingdon Park (funded by the Toronto Arts Council)

At the 2015 Syrian Refugee Wellness Conference, hosted by Adeena, founder of the Afghan Women’s Organization

Cheers To 10 Years: Remembering My First Class

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

I remember running my very first Zumba Fitness program in April 2014. It was an 8-week program at the Annex with 4 participants, all of whom saw my little flyer at a local laundromat or cafe. I had a black Denon speaker, a Nokia cell phone with my playlist on it, and a pair of colorful sneakers from Payless. I was also lucky to have the support of my grandma, sister, aunt, and a few friends who would participate in my classes as a way to reassure me that what I was doing was good.

Before instructing and organizing community group fitness programs, I was at a women's circuit gym. While it was a good start, I wanted to enter an area of fitness that made sense to me. Zumba Fitness felt RIGHT, although I had never taken a Zumba Fitness class before signing up for the instructor training. I trained in Latin dances since the age of 13 (dances like Cuban Salsa, New York Mambo, Pachanga, Cha Cha, and Merengue) so finding a dance fitness system that combined Latin rhythms and movements was a dream. I was also desperate to maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle during the daytime, which I couldn’t find in dance. Latin dance outings/socials were usually in the evenings and in a nightclub where you would usually dress up, where pretty shoes, and hope to find lots of good dance partners. Although I left Zumba Fitness in 2015, I owe a lot to its Colombian founder, Beto Perez, as it kept me and millions of others grooving, burning calories, and inspired.

Since then, I made it a habit to pilot group fitness programs that you wouldn't usually see in a gym like Pound Fit (a drum workout), Mom and Baby Latin Dance Fitness, Kid's Fitness Circuits, Kid's Yoga Safari, and eventually, women's Bollywood Fitness. I had no idea back then that Bollywood Fitness would take off the way it did and that we would be known for our seasonal Bollywood dance and fitness programs. Fast forward 10 years, I'm now running approximately 20 seasonal dance and fitness programs a year across various health centers, women's and kid’s organizations, and community spaces, as well as a free youth annual dance and safety event in 5 under-communities.

Truthfully, I experienced a lot of ups and downs due to not being a brick-and-mortar business or about the BOTTOM LINE. It’s hard to keep members happy, maintain community partnerships, and train instructors on how to run safe, effective, and fun classes. I had taken off most of 2018 to think about whether I wanted to continue in the fitness industry or not. Then there was COVID-19 which on one hand, set back Toronto Fitness for almost 2 years, but then brought us the gift of virtual classes.

I would like to thank our regular members for giving us a class to come to each season. Without them, we would have been out of business a long time ago! (P.S. I remember the names of all of our members).

I would to thank our regular instructors for keeping us moving - Alejandra, Ceejay, Pekhna, Mithila, Cheryl, and Deepak. A thank you to Aleya, a friend and fitness mentor, who has listened to my struggles at all times of the day and has referred me to the best kid Latin dance instructors. A shout out to our oldest self-defense pals Niv Goffman, Gil Katz, and Jesse Solloum from Krav Maga Maleh Canada for working alongside me since 2019 to get more youth moving and feeling safe.

Cheers to 10 years of moving and grooving,

Sumera

7 Things About Our 2021 Outdoor Kid's Fitness Program

FHC March Break Kids Camp 2019 (1).JPG

7 Things About Our 2021 Outdoor Kids Circuit and Fitness Program

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

  1. We instruct for kids!

    Kids are not mini-adults. They're kids! Our program combines age-appropriate games, music, and fitness and circuit drills to create a fun experience to help our little friends ages 7 to 11 learn the fundamental movement skills (FMS) outlined by the Coaches Association of Canada

    Each class contains a warm-up and cool down, fitness drills, and pair and circuit activities relating to the sport skill for that week. To see the FMS we're teaching, click here

  2. We have a 0 bullying policy

    We do not believe in “tough love” or the “no pain no gain” philosophy. Because if you're in pain, the only thing you'll gain is an injury and that's anything but fun!

    Our instructors provide constructive feedback and options that aim to encourage kids to keep trying a movement or activity that may be difficult. When it comes to peer to peer bullying, we do not tolerate bullying in any form. This includes verbal and physical bullying towards their peers or instructor. To find out about our bullying and warning policy, click here

  3. We're beginner-friendly

    We adapt our instruction for multi-levels, especially for kids with basic movement skills. To keep kids motivated, we encourage them to go at their own pace and offer various options. Our program is also designed to teach a new FMS each week which means your child can join in at any time.

  4. We're trained to work with kids

    Sumera and any instructors under her have a love of kid's fitness and experience working with kids through work, sports teams, and/or education. Additionally, all instructors will have training in CPR and First Aid and a police check. To know more about Sumera, click here

  5. We're Embracing The Outdoors During Covid-19

    Due to routine gym and community center closures, this program will be offered for the first time outdoors at a local park in the High Park area. For more info on what happens when we cancel or reschedule a class, click here.

  6. We're seasonal

    We're offering our program from May 2021 to July 2021, multiple times a week, and at different times. We have lunchtime hours for kids homeschooling, after school hours, and weekend mornings. To see the tentative schedule and/or join a waitlist, click here.

    Our program will adhere to COVID-19 protocols at that time

  7. We May Be Able To Come To You!

    If you're in the west end of Toronto, have a large park by you and a group of 6 kids (maximum 8), we can try and bring this to you! To find out about our program syllabus, park, and schedule, click here.

The Evolution of Dance (Aerobics) Fitness: Through The Ages

The Evolution of Dance (Aerobics) Fitness: Through The Ages

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

Jacki Sorensen, the creator and pioneer of dance aerobics

 

Jack LaLanne Show’s Exercise Segment (1950s)

Judi Sheppard, creator of the franchise Jazzercise

80s’ Dance Aerobics (John Travolta & Jamie Lee Curtis)

Joseph Pilates, Founder of Pilates

Tony Britt’s TV workout for home viewers

Billy Blanks, founder or the martial arts workout, Tai Bo

Johnny G, Founder of the first Spinning program

Beto Perez, founder of Zumba Fitness

“It is easier to maintain good health through proper exercise, diet, and emotional balance than it is to regain it once lost.” - Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper (Father of the Modern Fitness Movement and Disease Prevention)

Dance Fitness, also referred to as dance aerobics, is one of the coolest workout systems in the fitness industry. Today, dance fitness has the transformative power to meet the needs of almost any demographic (from kids to older adults) and cater to multiple dance interests (from Jazzercise to AquaFit). When Toronto gyms and recreation were forced to shut down due to covid-19 pandemic-related restrictions, I saw our team and dozens of fitness instructors across the city pivot by running online dance fitness classes to keep thousands of people staying fit and healthy for the safety of their own homes.

With that in mind, let’s take a walk through group and dance fitness through the ages

  • 1950s: The Jack Lalanne Show was the first TV show to offer exercise routines to keep its viewers exercising from home, making it the first virtual home workout (first video on the left)

  • 1960s: Airforce physician Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper created the book “Aerobics” when he developed exercises to help prevent coronary artery disease. His book inspired dancer Jacki Sorensen (featured at the top of the page) to create a program combining dance moves, exercises, and music. The program was geared toward women and to not feel like a traditional workout.

  • 1970s: Jazzercize, created by dancer Judi Sheppard Messet, was a dance fitness program that offered participants the fitness components of dance without training to be a dancer. Today, Jazzercize has 8500 franchisees globally

  • 1980s: The rise in celebrity fitness (Richard Simmons, Jane Fonda) and Step Aerobics. Athlete Gin Miller came up with the infamous Step Aerobics program when she was stepping up and down a milk crate to strengthen her knee injury

  • 1990s: The rise of the following group workout programs, Tao Bo (created by Billy Blanks), Spinning (created by Jonathan Goldberg), and Pilates (created by Joseph Pilates), a widely practiced workout focused on core strength, balance, posture/form and flexibility

  • 2000s: Zumba (a Latin dance workout program) took the industry by storm and is now offered in over 186 countries. Zumba was created by the Colombian fitness instructor Alberto Perez. Following Zumba came the growth of other culturally diverse dance workout programs

  • 2010s to Now: I (Sumera) have noticed a growth in the following group fitness programs: dance fitness (Bollyx, Socacize, Hot Hula Fitness, Samba Fit, Belly Fit, Salsa Babies). Yoga programs (Bikram, Ashtanga, Flow, Vinyasa, Power), kids fitness programs (circuits, Zumba kids, Pl3Y Inc Dance), and HIIT training programs (F45, Orange Theory, Jillian Michaels)

The Benefits of Dance Fitness

Dance fitness provides a platform, day and night, for people to come together and sweat under the guidance and motivational support of a fitness instructor. Dance fitness, specifically, gives participants without any formal dance training a chance to improve their coordination and memory skills as they learn different styles of dance movements and rhythms.

Group fitness exists to improve: one’s body composition (weight loss/maintenance), muscle conditioning (strength training), flexibility (to reduce injuries), and cardiovascular health (improving heart and lung function). Additional benefits include mood enhancements (reducing stress levels, anxiety, and depression), preventing high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high/bad cholesterol, improving one’s self-image and confidence, better sleep, and chronic illness prevention.

Dance Fitness Now

In January 2022, 30% of gyms across North America shut down (CanFitPro, 2022). The devastating closures, a result of the covid-19 pandemic, impacted the growth of certain group fitness programs. Dance fitness, however, was able to thrive for the simple fact that it could take place ANYWHERE (online, in health and community centers, the park, swimming pools, etc) and required a speaker, music device, and a small group. This gives the dance fitness system the ability to thrive outside of a traditional gym setting. Our team has been providing dance fitness programs for women and kids in community spaces since 2014 and online since April 2020, during Toronto’s first Covid-19 lockdown.

Our programs will continue to be SWEATY, safe, and facilitated by friendly dancers that are fitness and health professionals, physiotherapists and art therapists, and fitness lovers. While we love trying out a range of dance fitness classes, we currently offer Bollywood dance and Bollywood fitness programs, mom and baby dance fitness, Caribbean dance fitness, Vinyasa Yoga / Yoga flow, kids fitness circuits, kid’s Yoga, and specialty dance workshops.

To join us online or in person, do check out our schedules.

Sources

  1. Fitness Formula Clubs: https://formula.ffc.com/fitness/info/the-evolution-of-group-fitness-classes/

  2. ACSM’s Health and Fitness Journal: https://journals.lww.com/acsm-healthfitness/fulltext/2014/11000/the_evolution_of_group_fitness__shaping_the.4.aspx#:~:text=Group%20fitness%20can%20be%20traced,than%20disease%20treatment%20(1).

  3. Fridman, Len, Reimagine. Refuel. Rebuild. Canadian Fitness Professionals, November/December 22

  4. Fitness Pioneer : Aerobic Dancing Grew Into a Profitable Business in San Diego: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-28-ca-9678-story.html

  5. Dalleck, Lance, From Ancient Greece to Zumba, Ace Fitness Org: https://www.acefitness.org/certifiednewsarticle/2224/from-ancient-greece-to-zumba-50-events-people-and-trends-that-have-shaped-the-history-of-fitness-part-2/

  6. GX United: https://gxunited.com/blog/step-aerobics-history/#:~:text=Step%20aerobics%20came%20to%20life,an%20emphasis%20on%20athletic%20movements.

  7. Great Big Story, Human Condition series on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa-je1zux70

5 Ways To Get Back Into Physical Fitness After Covid-19

5 Ways To Get Back Into Physical Fitness After Covid-19

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

After living in a city with the longest lockdowns in North America, and with pandemic restrictions that limited in-person recreation on and off for 2 years, getting back into regular physical fitness may not be as easy as we thought it would be…

I’m a fitness instructor and I found it difficult to go back to performing the physical activities I did before the pandemic. While our team ran online fitness programming for our members and benefited from participating in online classes as well, working out at home was not the same for me.

Due to physical/social distancing, I lost a great deal of momentum (i.e. I went from instructing several programs a week in-person to running all at home which meant there were fewer reasons for leaving the home). Government and public health officials discouraged us from leaving our homes unless it was for essential reasons. I also experienced weight gain due to the covid-19 baking trend and after my parent (my grandfather) died in the summer of 2021. And like so many, I was lacking the vital human connection and support that we as humans need to fuel and motivate our souls.

Once Toronto reopened fully in 2022, I was somewhat hesitant about going back to in-person group fitness and dance due to a fear of catching and spreading the virus, especially to my 80-yr grandmother who lives with me. Eventually, I got covid-19 twice in 5 months and I experienced long-term fatigue and exertion after a little exercise. I felt frustrated and unmotivated. It wasn’t until the spring of 2022 that I was able to exercise 3 to 4 days a week for about 45 to 60-minutes per session.

I started off with slow strength training classes at my local F45 training center. Once I was comfortable moving my body in a social setting again (outside of my bubble), I began walking every day and adding in moderate to high-impact cardio classes. I then got the confidence to instruct several kids’ classes a week in person with ease. Hence, I felt the effects of covid-19 both mentally and physically.

CSEP recommends 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activities so that you can achieve optimal health. Typically there should be 3 to 4 days of cardio, 2 days of strength training, and 4 days of flexibility training. It is important, however, that you start off slowly to keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed and to reduce muscle and joint injuries.

Here are 5 ways to get back into physical fitness after covid-19

1. Enroll yourself in 1 weekly physical activity that you ENJOY (swimming, dance, hiking groups, skating, etc) - if you’re starting from scratch, taking 1 class a week is better than nothing!

2. Coffee walks - pick a fun coffee shop that’s at least 20-minutes away from your home/workplace/child’s school and walk to it (no driving or TTC).

3. Rediscover Toronto beaches and parks - choose one place a week. You can TTC it or drive there, but once you’re there, try to bike or walk briskly for at least 30-minutes while taking in the scenery.

4. Join a program or gym that is within walking distance from your home - not only will you help a local business recover from covid19 losses but attending a class in your area is convenient (a bonus is that you can go grocery shopping or grab a healthy dinner as a reward after class)

5. If you’re thinking of staying active from home or work, look for online dance/fitness classes - virtual classes may be around for a while to cater to those working remotely, vulnerable populations including older adults and moms and babies, and caregivers

Our team plans to return this Fall both in-person and online with 12-week dance fitness programs for women and girls. Please check out our schedules for more information on dates, times, and fees.

Remember, “it does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop” - Confucius

Sumera