More opportunities to get fit
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Vaughan Fitness Centres extending hours starting Tuesday, Sept. 8
Fitness members now have more flexibility when booking a workout session! As the City of Vaughan continues to take a disciplined approach to reopening facilities in response to COVID-19, the hours of operation at fitness centres will be extended starting Tuesday, Sept. 8. They will be open Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., except for Father E. Bulfon Community Centre, which will close at 5 p.m. on weekends. Starting Monday, Sept. 14, exclusive workout session times for older adults will be available Monday to Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Strict measures are in place to protect all users and staff from COVID-19 – gyms will continue to have controlled access, limited capacity and scheduled workout time blocks for patrons to sign up for in advance. Workout blocks are 75-minutes each, with a 30-minute shutdown in between appointments for cleaning and sanitization. Members can register online at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. For more information or to obtain a registration barcode and PIN, please contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
Pools, changerooms, saunas, lockers, showers, lost and found and the fitness track remain closed until further notice. Some equipment has been removed, including yoga gear, ab mats and neck pads.
Based on industry best practices and public health direction, steps have been taken to enhance air circulation and ventilation systems in Vaughan Fitness Centres in response to COVID-19. Air quality is constantly monitored and managed.
Fitness classes
On Aug. 17, indoor and outdoor fitness classes resumed for Vaughan Fitness members. Pre-registration for all classes is required and can be done online at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. Schedules – which have been modified in response to COVID-19 – and instructors are subject to change. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor fitness class cancellations will be posted to vaughan.ca/fitness. Refer to the Vaughan Fitness Class Guidelines for more information. Starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, new fitness classes will become available to members, including Yogafusion and “gentle” versions of yoga and total body conditioning (TBC) geared toward older adults.
The following fitness classes are available:
- Cardio pump: The best of a high-energy cardio workout with intervals of hi-lo and muscle conditioning to challenge your endurance and co-ordination.
- CIRC-HIIT: High-intensity interval training where you give 100 per cent during burst-exercises followed by short periods of recovery. Get your heart rate up and burn more calories in less time.
- Pilates: Steady your breath in a relaxed space as you improve body alignment, flexibility and mental awareness.
- TBC: This is a total body workout. Use resistance equipment and your body weight to build strength and improve muscular endurance.
- TBC (gentle): Condition and strengthen muscles through a variety of resistance and low-intensity exercises.
- Walk and tone: Walk and tone muscles – using your own bodyweight and mini-bands – in a circuit-training-style workout.
- Yoga: Focus on deep stable breathing as you flow through varying strength and flexibility body movements.
- NEW Yogafusion: Bringing the best of yoga and pilates to one class! Combine the stability benefits of yoga with the postural awareness of pilates for a balanced workout.
- Zumba: It's a total body dance workout! Tone and burn calories to the best cha-cha, mambo, calypso and belly dance music.
Fitness classes are offered mornings and evenings and are one hour in length. The first 15 minutes is dedicated to the check-in procedure, which includes a health screening. Each class is 45 minutes. The full schedule of classes can be found at vaughan.ca/fitness.
Squash
As well, City squash courts are also open. Members are asked to bring their own equipment, including their racquet, ball and goggles.
Virtual fitness classes
Free 40- to 60-minute fitness classes continue to stream six days a week on the Recreation Services YouTube channel. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/fitness.
To receive the City’s latest updates on COVID-19, check vaughan.ca/ReopeningVaughan, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
Those who feel unwell, and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
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