Workout ready
Athletic trainer Veronique Bergeron, Jesse Winchester and Allison St-Jean prepared a tough workout for the participants of the Get Fit with the Pros fundraiser at Summit Fitness in Cornwall on Sat., Jan. 20. Sawyer Helmer photo
Kalynn Sawyer Helmer
Record Staff
CORNWALL – On Sat., Jan. 20, Jesse Winchester, former Ottawa Senator, teamed up with the Canadian Cancer Society to host the Get Fit with the Pros workout sessions at Summit Fitness in Cornwall.
From every participant, $25 will go towards local support of lodges, transportation and support services. Allison St-Jean, Community Fundraising Specialist, Canadian Cancer Society SDG, explained they get calls every day for patients who need rides to their appointments in Ottawa.
In the prior press release, stats for local transportation services cited “throughout 2016 in Ottawa, SDG & Prescott Russell, volunteer drivers from the Canadian Cancer Society drove 489,914 kilometres to provide safe rides to cancer-related appointments for 920 people diagnosed with cancer. The average cost in SDG & Prescott Russell for transporting a patient to one treatment is $67. Typically, treatment will last seven weeks, requiring a minimum of 14 trips to treatment at a cost of $938 for the rides alone.”
Two sessions were run with Winchester on Saturday. Participants received a packet with information on eating well, Cancer Society mission statements, local services and a pedometer. “It was a great turnout and everyone was very excited to be there,” said St-Jean.
Athletic trainer Veronique Bergeron joined Winchester to run the workout. “We did a circuit type training because it is the best bet for big group training and losing weight while trying to maintain lean muscle mass. It’s one minute of work, 30 seconds rest and moving through about six stations. The goal is to get moving and do a full body workout by working every muscle group. I have a lot of clients who are cancer survivors and they come in to work out. It’s your best way to live healthy and age gracefully,” said Bergeron.
Outside of the Get Fit with the Pros sessions, Bergeron said it’s important for everyone to get moving, even if they are not sure where to start. “Just come in and try to move around. Even for mental sanity. The more you move the better you will feel, the more you’ll want to come in and you’ll also help prevent other illnesses.”
The workouts were open to anyone interested to help promote healthy living and an active lifestyle. St-Jean said finding out where to start when it comes to exercise is half the battle. Winchester said the sessions were about movement, “Nothing too strenuous, we are hoping to keep it light and have some fun.”
Winchester, who grew up in Long Sault and who now coaches the Brockville Junior hockey team was happy to be involved in a local cause. “It gives me the chance to connect to a cause locally. Something that helps a lot of people and helps out in a time of need. It is something that will affect every family so to just help out in this little way and hopefully in the future too is pretty special and I’m just thrilled to be asked.”
