The fitness centre at the Trail Aquatic and Leisure Centre opened its new and improved digs Tuesday after it underwent a major overhaul last weekend.
The Aquatic Centre traded in its 15-year-old selectorized weights and cardio equipment for brand new gear.
“It’s looks really good, it took us a while to reconfigure the gym but it feels pretty good so far,” said Trisha Davison, director of Trail Parks and Recreation.
The city leases the cardio equipment such as tread mills, ellipticals, adaptive motion trainers (AMT’s) and stationary bikes, which are replaced every three years with state-of-the-art equipment.
This year, their replacement coincided with the purchase of all new weight machines to replace the rickety old Apex machines as well.
“Weight equipment, if you were to talk to the fitness industry professionals, they would tell you that 10-12 years is pretty standard (lifespan) on weight equipment so we knew for sure we were in need of it.”
The city spent over $100,000 on brand new machines but was able to sell off eight of the 13 pieces.
The innovative machines improve technique and form for experienced users such as Cheryl Hutchinson from Trail.
“I like it so far. I’m just learning - it’s the first day (with the new equipment) but it’s awesome, it’s really nice,” she said.
The centre offers a variety of weight-based machines, free weights, balance training tools, fitness balls, treadmills, elliptical machines, AMT’s, and stationary bikes.
Patrons can watch TV, plug in movies, Ebooks or Ipods to the screens on each of the treadmills and one of the elliptical machines as they walk or run a few K’s.
“One of the new Cadillac pieces that is in the gym is a functional trainer that takes the place of our old cable crossover machine and it has 35 different positions that you can use to focus on different muscle groups, so it has the greatest versatility of every piece that’s in there.”
The centre’s fitness host, Mel Johnson, was familiarizing himself with the new gear so he can provide basic orientation to the centre. Johnson says he is impressed with the new equipment and is sure the public will benefit from the relative ease of use and function.
“It has fewer adjustments than the old equipment so it should be pretty easy to use.”
The centre is also offering free orientation sessions at the end of the month. Users can sign up for one of three different times and a fitness trainer will answer any questions regarding the new machines.
The centre’s trainer also designs personalized fitness regimens for every body type and fitness level.
“I was deciding whether I was going to go downtown, but with the new equipment I think I’ll probably stay,” added Hutchinson. “It’s got everything I need now.”
Davison recommends people come in and try the equipment before they register for an orientation session. Call 364-0888 for more info.