By: Allison Bonk, Josiah Lynch,Tracey McQuade, & Megan Pollock
Anyone can experience obstacles and barriers that challenge them to achieve their health and fitness goals. At Abilities Centre, we strive to reduce these challenges and support all individuals through their health and fitness journey. Our Fitness and Health department is comprised of certified fitness professionals who go beyond the standard role, to ensure a safe space for everyone.
Abilities Centre members have access to group fitness classes that offer variations for all levels and abilities. The Group Fitness Schedule at Abilities Centre offers over 20 classes per week. We make a great effort to not simply provide exercise programs and leave it up to the client to decide if it fits them. During classes you will find exercise variations adjusted for impact, resistance, and mobility. Each class allows you to customize your workout, with variations and seated options, while enjoying the motivation of the group fitness environment. The instructors make it so that each person can have the class that suits them.
"Throughout the class take breaks, drink water, and always come out or ease out of a pose if they are not comfortable or feel any pain….I stress that if a member is feeling uncomfortable or feeling that their breath is not where they feel safe, I encourage them to take a moment to reset themselves..." - Tracey McQuade
In addition to our member-based fitness classes, we have a team of certified personal trainers offering paid training sessions. Our experienced personal trainers make sure everyone feels welcome and work with all fitness levels and abilities to ensure workout plans are completely custom. We know that each person is coming to us with a goal in mind, using our collective experience our team can create a program for everyone. No two sessions are alike, just as no two clients are alike.
“Yes, you can do something. Let's figure out what works for your body. It may not look the same for somebody else, and that's OK because it's your journey and not anybody else's journey” - Megan Pollock
“[the ability to] deliver something structured to them in a way that not just meets their current level of fitness, but also meets their interest. And when you meet people's interest, you really open a much wider door in terms of what they can do.” - Josiah Lynch
Group fitness classes and personal training work to support the many goals and challenges that may occur in the fitness journey of our members and clients. Individuals may be coming to access our services living with a disability, trying to advance in their sport, looking to improve strength and cardio, looking to improve long term health conditions, or recovering from surgery or injury, the scope we see here is very large.
Our coaches are dedicated to making you feel safe in our space and we want to promise you the genuine intentions of our coaches. Our team is fueled by their own personal experiences that drive them to create this impact in our industry. They are a great resource for developing your individualized health & fitness plans or to keep you motivated and accountable.
“Growing up, having a grandparent that was very sick. This was something that I've always wanted to help people with, and then also in high school having the opportunity to work with our special education classrooms adapting fitness and sports for them was huge for me and something totally up my alley. And so then transferring that into the fitness world and now making fitness and wellness journeys accessible for everybody has been something that I've dreamed about” - Megan Pollock
“Consecutive injuries that have changed the way that my body reacts to exercise compared to what it used to and changing my outlook on how to how to repair ... it doesn't always mean trying to get back to where I was, but focusing on where I can go from here. Bodies are resilient and I got the opportunity to test how resilient my body is after I'm going through those things.” - Josiah Lynch
“I have 2 teenage sons and my oldest son has a diagnosis of Autism and Developmental Delay. We loved attending the facility and really felt like we were part of an inclusive community without any judgement” - Tracey McQuade
The skills and knowledge needed to be an accessible and inclusive fitness professional have no official handbook, we have created a team who shares knowledge and experience with each other to provide the best possible service. Staff have shared some of the qualities needed to be an AC coach as patient, empathetic, creative, and organized.
“We're taking our tool belt that we've created and built and put the hard work into... passing that on to new trainers so that they don't have to work as hard to figure those things out.” - Megan Pollock
At Abilities Centre, our Fitness and Wellness team understand there are many options available to assist you on your fitness and wellness journey. Our team members are always growing, focusing on education and building the community. At Abilities Centre we work hard to break barriers for our clients and participants, while we unlock potential in our fitness team. We hope you can find trust in our team of experts as we build the inclusive fitness space that Abilities Centre is today.
“As a coach, it warms my heart to see so many different populations working together... we're all here for one purpose, to create an environment for all, not just one population” - Megan Pollock
To learn more about whether personal training at Abilities Centre is right for you, visit us at the fitness desk. If you are ready to meet with us about your fitness journey fill out your client profile online or in the centre.
To learn more about what group fitness classes are available visit our online schedule. If your not a member yet? You can purchase a day pass to join us for a class!
If you have any questions about engaging in the AC fitness community - Email our team of coaches using fitness@abilitescentre.org.
Author Bios:
Allison Bonk, Senior Coordinator, Fitness and Wellness. Allison has been working at Abilities Centre since 2021. She is a CFES Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and CFES Certified Personal Trainer. She holds an honours diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion from George Brown College. Allison has held a leadership role in our fitness team for the past two years and is passionate about continuing to grow and develop new and existing coaches. Allison would describe her coaching style: long-term and growth focused.
Josiah Lynch, Fitness and Wellness Coach. Josiah has worked almost 3 years at the center. He holds a Bachelors in Kinesiology, Exercise Science and Master's in Environmental Exercise Physiology. He is a certified CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist. You can find Josiah in the HUR room, Fieldhouse, and sometimes me at the front desk. He may also be touring the centre with members and future members. Two words that would describe his coaching style would be: adventurous and engaging.
Tracey McQuade, Fitness and Wellness Coach. Tracey started as a member at the Abilities Centre when it first opened. When she heard of this amazing facility, she thought it would be perfect for her family. Tracy is a 350 Registered Yoga Teacher, with additional certifications in Accessibility Yoga, Chair Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Children’s Yoga. She has been teaching at the Abilities Centre for 7 years. Tracy works with the members instructing Gentle Yoga and Seated Yoga. Also work with the Thrive Program and the ASAD Program. Additionally, she has worked in the field house, the HUR room and worked with summer camps.
Megan Pollock, Fitness and Wellness Coach. Megan will celebrate 11 years this September, 2024 at the center! She is CSEP CPT certified as well as TRX, and Heart wise. She received the two-year Durham College Diploma Program in Fitness and Health. Megan has worked in almost all areas and departments at the center, from the Fitness department, to front desk, to Thrive, our adult day program, also group fitness, and even some kids programming as well. Megan’s coaching style would be described as: non-traditional, and beginner focused.
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