A Great Gym Tip From Trusted Saskatoon Fitness & Gym Experts at Fitness Focus

4. May 2022 Admin Saskatoon Fitness & Gyms, Trusted Tips

At Fitness Focus, the goal is to offer a fitness center with a welcoming, fun, and safe environment that all ages can enjoy. They are a forerunner in the fitness industry in Saskatoon. With the ever-changing fitness demands of new and improved classes, training, and nutrition. They are your TRUSTED SASKATOON FITNESS EXPERTS!

This Fitness Focus Trusted Tip is About Gym Memberships

Starting a gym membership can be exciting but also intimidating. Here are some Trusted Tips on taking that first step and finding the right gym for you.

Whether you have tried a fitness regimen before or you’re starting at the gym for the very first time, before you choose a fitness center, you have to start with a goal. Without a goal you’ll have nothing to work towards, making the effort you put in seems like a total waste. Make your goal reasonable, attainable, and specific; and make sure you know the route to attaining it.

It’s important to find a gym with an atmosphere that suits you. If you’re not comfortable in the gym, you won’t enjoy your experience, and then it won’t be long until you start to abandon your routine and your goals. See if the gym will offer you a trial pass or “test drive” that gives you enough time to feel it out and see if it’s the right fit for you.

Pay attention to the not-so-obvious amenities when you’re looking into a new club. Big windows for natural light, what kind of music they play, and the cleanliness of the facility including washrooms and training area, a wide variety of equipment, and knowledgeable staff. Sometimes it’s these subtleties you might not have noticed at first but they can be the difference that makes it a club you want to make your home for years to come.

Convenience! Is the club close to your house or work? If your gym is not easy to get to, you might not use it as much as you had planned. A gym within a stone’s throw of your home can be great, but also consider one that’s close to your workplace. This gives the option to get your workout in during your lunchtime or to avoid the traffic on the commute home after work.

Once you have made your decision to join, make sure you read your membership agreement form. There are a lot of standard points on a membership form but many disclosures can change from gym to gym. First, pay attention to membership cancellation policies, sometimes these can be very strict which might not be a problem if you plan to be there for a few years. Watch out for unexpected annual fees; these should be explained in your membership. Ask if there is a membership freeze option and the cost of it. This allows you to suspend payments of your membership in the event you can’t use it due to injury or inability to make use of your membership for a short period.

If you're looking for a gym in Saskatoon and have never tried Fitness Focus, check them out! Experience the great atmosphere, people, and all the major amenities Fitness Focus offers. They offer a weight room, cardio theatre, group fitness classes, tanning, towel service, lockers, and more.

Find Fitness Focus Health & Athletic Centre at 1250 Ontario Avenue, or check out their listing here in the Saskatoon Fitness & Gyms Category on THE Saskatoon directory of excellence. They are YOUR Trusted experts right here in Saskatoon!

Fitness Focus a Trusted Saskatoon Gym

Saskatoon Pilates Centre, Your Trusted Saskatoon Pilates Studio Compares Yoga and Pilates

4. May 2022 Admin Saskatoon Fitness & Gyms, Trusted Tips

Saskatchewan’s premier Pilates Centre– the largest and most fully-equipped Pilates studio in the province. Saskatoon Pilates Centre continues to provide top-quality classes with the most experienced and dedicated teachers helping you to experience the integrity of the Pilates exercises integrating body and mind for everyday living. Sounds great, doesn’t it? In their latest tip, they share an article that compares Pilates to Yoga.

Saskatoon Pilates Is Your Trusted Saskatoon Pilates Studio

"Trust The Experience!"

"Pilates? That's Like Yoga, Right?"

Author: Jo Ann Graser, PMA®-CPT, PMA Board of Directors.

As a business owner who offers both Pilates and yoga at my studio, I run into this question on a regular basis. My answer can be detailed or basic, depending on my audience. Here are some comparison points about the two disciplines based on my personal experience with both. For the purposes of this discussion, I am comparing yoga to Pilates on the apparatus.

Origins

Yoga was developed over 5,000 years ago in India with the purpose of connecting individual consciousness to a universal consciousness creating spiritual enlightenment. Poses or “asanas” combined with breath control and meditation improve the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional health of the practitioner.

Joseph Pilates began the development of his regimen (historically called “Corrective Exercise” and then “Contrology”) approximately 100 years ago. The underlying theme of Pilates is a systematic and disciplined approach to physical movement through focus and clarity of the mind. Joseph Pilates created apparatuses that could support the body in order to correct dysfunction and improve movement.

Equipment

Yoga utilizes mats and small props to aid or support the practitioner. Pilates has an extensive array of machines, or “apparatuses,” designed to assist the individual in improving alignment, strength, and coordination.

Movement

In my experience, yoga poses are typically held for extended time periods to release muscle tension. In some styles of yoga, a long series of poses are repeated sequentially, with the purpose of warming the body to allow for an increased range of motion.

Pilates movements are often guided by the apparatus, which can be configured by the teacher to provide assistance or resistance for the client. The focus in a Pilates session is often on a relatively short piece of choreography emphasizing control and precision. A movement is focused on and repeated for a few repetitions before moving on to the next exercise.

Mind-Body Connection

In many types of yoga, the session starts with the setting of an intention for the practice and ends with a guided meditation and relaxation or “savasana.” The goals are to clear the mind and surrender to the movement.

In Pilates, there is constant attention to posture, alignment, and movement mechanics. The practitioner is encouraged to focus on each movement, staying present and intentional. The theme of controlling the body with the mind is ever-present.

Breath

Yoga teaches breathing in and out through the nose or a “warming breath.” This type of breathing is designed to relax the body and calm the mind. The focus of yoga is on “belly breathing.” The classes I take often use the breath as a mechanism to time each pose for example: "Hold this pose for another 4 breaths.”

Pilates teaches breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. This type of breath is considered “diaphragmatic” and is meant to energize and prepare the body for strong engagement. The practitioner is encouraged to “move with the tempo of the breath,” coordinating the two.

Intention

Yoga emphasizes the mind-body and spiritual connection, quieting the mind by focusing on mastery through introspection. Flexibility and strength are improved through the repetition of the asanas.

Pilates follows a systematic approach, focusing on individual movements as they integrate with the whole. The intended outcome of Pilates is improved posture and creating a strong, balanced and stable base from which to move.

“You only have one body and you deserve the best.” Kathy Bond

Saskatoon Pilates Classes Include:

Mat Work
Equipment Work
Structural Integration Work
Group Classes
Open Gym
Personal Fitness Programs

Saskatoon Pilates Is Your Trusted Saskatoon Pilates Studio

Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub experts at Backyard Living Center explain what you should consider BEFORE buying a hot tub.

1. May 2022 Trusted Saskatoon Saskatoon Hot Tubs, Trusted Tips

Backyard Living Center is a locally owned and operated Saskatoon hot tub store. They offer an exclusive line of high-quality Canadian-built hot tubs that are perfectly suited to the Saskatchewan climate. With a variety of design choices, they have a spa that will suit every lifestyle! Service means everything to owners Sheryl and Matthew! Whether it's finding the perfect spa, hot tub servicing or repair, water testing, or helping find or deliver parts for your hot tub, they're here to help. In this hot tub tip, they explain what you should consider BEFORE buying a hot tub. Backyard Living Center Is Your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub Store!

Does the company that you’re considering buying a hot tub from offer service, maintenance and repairs in-house? What are their fees to repair or service?

We recommend shopping local from a company that services what they sell. Some companies will charge significantly more for parts, their hourly rate, and service call-out fee, ask before you buy so there are no surprises.

What is included in the hot tub start-up kit? How long will the start-up kit last? Is there anything that you’ll have to buy in the first 1-3 months?

Chances are you’ll want and need a second filter so that you have a backup when you’re doing a deep clean of the filter. You’ll also need products to raise and lower alkalinity, PH, etc. If the start-up kit doesn’t include those items you might want to budget or at least be aware that they are products you will need.

How does the company support you after you’ve received the hot tub? Do they offer water testing? How do they support you with your water balancing?

Look for a company that cares about its customers and offers support after the sale. There is a bit of a learning curve, especially in the first month of owning your first hot tub. It’s nice to be able to call, email or text a water care specialist if you have any questions. Even better is having someone reach out to you to see if everything is going well.

Does the hot tub have a circulation pump? Why is this important?

-Having a circulation pump is very energy efficient (it also saves you money).

-It circulates and filters the water 24/7 cleaning the water constantly (cleaner water means easier water care).

-It is whisper quiet. We had our last hot tub about 6 feet from the foot of our bed and couldn’t hear it.
Do they offer a free site inspection before delivery? Before the installation date, will a technician come out and take a look at your yard, make recommendations of where to place the hot tub, go over what options you could consider for the base, make sure they can safely get the tub in place, and answer any questions you have?

What does the hot tub delivery include?

Do they drop the hot tub off at your curbside and leave you to deal with getting the 800-pound hot tub into place in your yard? Or do they put the hot tub in place, fill the hot tub and give you an orientation so that you know how the hot tub works and how to balance the water?

Are there proprietary parts used in the hot tub? Is this a good or bad thing?

If proprietary parts are used you are tied to that store to buy parts. Proprietary parts are usually much higher in price than parts that can be purchased from any pool and spa store. What happens if the store is closed for a long weekend, or they don’t answer their phone in the evening and you have a leak? You could call us to fix it, but if it’s a proprietary part we wouldn’t have it, and chances are, we wouldn’t be able to order it.

See their selection of in-stock H2O Canadian-made premium spas at their showroom on Brodsky Avenue, or visit their website for more choices and information on hot tub supplies, hot tub care and maintenance and service. Take it from us… you will not be disappointed!!!

“Your Backyard Oasis is Waiting For You!”

You can read more amazing client testimonials and see all products and services they offer by checking out the Backyard Living Center’s listing by clicking on the link below.

Backyard Living Center is Your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub and Outdoor Furniture Store!

Trusted Tips & Resources

A Great Gym Tip From Trusted Saskatoon Fitness & Gym Experts at Fitness Focus

This Fitness Focus Trusted Tip is About Gym Memberships

Fitness Focus a Trusted Saskatoon Gym

Saskatoon Pilates Centre, Your Trusted Saskatoon Pilates Studio Compares Yoga and Pilates

Saskatoon Pilates Is Your Trusted Saskatoon Pilates Studio