Quarterly e-Newsletter | April, May & June 2018
Save the Date!
20 Years Strong – Mark your calendars for our Summer Celebration!! We are celebrating our 20 th Anniversary in the Walker Community on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 from 5-7pm with free open skating and games for the kids. Watch for more details to come on our Facebook page!
Silver & Fit and Silver Sneakers

 Did you know that if you a member of the Silver & Fit or the Silver Sneakers Programs that Walker Ice & Fitness Center Only receives payment for your attendance/membership when you check in at the gym. Make sure to attend regularly!
20% Off Student Memberships
Student Summer Special – In Celebration of our 20 years, we are offering 20% off Student Gym Memberships. Just $79 for 3 months! Starts May 1, 2018 – August 31, 2018.
7-Day Free Trial

Come Try our facility for 7-days for FREE!! Anyone over the age of 18, valid MI Driver’s License and first-time visitor to our gym are eligible. Come in today!
Groupon
Check out our Groupon for Group Fitness Classes. 10 Classes for $35 or 5 Classes for just $19. Get yours today!
FITNESS CORNER
Five Helpful Tips for Beginner Runners
  1. Alternate between running and walking your first few weeks.Beginners run/walk 3 times a week-Run for one minute, walk for 90 seconds, for a total of 20 minutes per session.
  2. Choose a realistic goal. A 5k takes less mileage to train for than a ½ marathon.
  3. Join a “social running club.” They are very beginner friendly.
  4. Be patient! Don’t forget to have rest and recovery days which is important physically and mentally.
  5. Try out our Incline Trainers at Walker Ice and Fitness! These are great for cross-training!
Pushups: 101
The core is the most important area to maintain for posture, back support, and ongoing health. Try Pushups . You can perform Pushups 3 different ways-against the wall, knees on the floor or full extension.
This is how to do a proper pushup:
  1. Hands slightly wider than shoulders
  2. Body in a straight line
  3. Tighten glutes and abdominals
  4. Head looking slightly ahead, chin away from chest
  5. Lower body so elbows are at a 90 degree angle
  6. Inhale as you lower, pausing slightly at bottom
  7. Exhale as you push back up
  8. Do as many as you can. If you start to feel your form slipping, stop and rest or stretch in a child’s pose position.
  9. Always modify. Against the wall or knees on the floor to protect your back.
Weight Loss Challenge
Congratulations to our Weight Loss Challenge Winners, Cindy and Jared. 
Good job!
Cindy had this to say about her journey…
Losing weight is made possible by saying NO to yourself more than you say yes.
I started keeping a daily tally of how many times I had to say "no" each day to food temptations. Jotting down a tally each time made me much more aware of how many temptations were coming at me each day; realizing that helped me to expect them and be better prepared to say no without it being that big of a deal.

I started coming to Walker Fitness in 2011 during a stressful period caring for my elderly and ill mom. It was my "me time." Since then I've become part of a little community of friends. We share our lives during workouts, many of us are Facebook friends, and we sometimes see each other outside of the gym. I wonder how many calories I've burned over the last 7 years...and how much heavier I'd be had I not prioritized the time for regular exercise.
And Jared…

I started eating healthier and consuming less calories per day, while still getting the nutrition I needed. I started doing a little bit more cardio and working out my larger muscle groups more often to burn off more calories/fat. And, of course, cut back on the beer consumption!
Softball Registrations
Adult Coed, Men’s and Women’s Softball registrations ended April 7 so if you didn’t register your team, contact the Recreation Department at (616) 735-6286 to see if there is spots available! Everyone always has a great time!!!
Help Us Give Back
HAND2HAND X WALKER
Delivering hope to hungry children by mobilizing the community to provide nutritious food over the weekends.
OUR REACH
Currently, Hand2Hand is in four of our schools with hopes of reaching all students in need in our community!
  • Remembrance Church
  • West MI Academy [53 students]
  • Zinser Elementary [37 students]
  • Alpine Elementary [89 students]
  • Walker Harbor Church
  • Walker Charter [27 students]
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We are always accepting donations. Our shopping list provides the staple items our pantry constantly needs. Donation centers include:
  • Walker Ice and Fitness,
  • Remembrance Church
  • Walker Harbor Church [meets at Walker Charter]
OUR LIST
  • large cans of chicken
  • canned veggies
  • canned fruit
  • mac-n-cheese
  • pop tarts
  • oatmeal packets
  • canned soups
For more info please email:
Thank you to all that has helped us give back. We collected hundreds of items at our Annual Easter Egg hunt, and we have collected boxes inside Walker Ice & Fitness! We are continuing to collect and have a box available in our lobby at WIFC. Thanks again for your generosity!
Updating Existing Playground - Please Excuse Our Mess
We are very excited that construction of the playground at Community Park started April 8. It is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of June (weather permitting). We can’t wait to see the end result- we know the community will enjoy the new equipment that will be added! In the meantime, please excuse our mess while we work hard to get this project completed.
Hawk Hockey Tryouts
HAWK Hockey Fall Tryouts begins the week of May 7 th . Please register and check out the times at www.hawkhockey.net or contact Hockey Director Mike Fountain at 616 735 6286
Learn to Skate/Learn to Play
The next Learn to Skate/Learn to Play Session 5 takes place May 30 th to July 18 th Wednesdays at 6pm. Please go to www.walkericeandfitness.com for the brochure and more information about our skating programs.
Join us for the Walker Memorial Day Parade on May 28, 2018!
All Veterans, bands, floats, companies and organizations are invited to participate in the annual Walker Memorial Day parade, you may register online at www.walkericeandfitness.com or forms available at Walker Ice & Fitness.

Must register by May 7. No fee for entry for Walker based or non-profit organizations. Any business based outside of Walker and all political entrants (unless they are an incumbent representing Walker) will be charged $100. Contact the Recreation Dept for further information (616) 735-6286.
Host your Next Party or Event with Us!
Looking for a room to host a graduation party, baby/bridal, shower or family reunion? We have a room to rent for up to 100 people. Room rentals start at just $20/hr. 

Contact Mary Kay Sherman at (616) 735-6286 or [email protected] for more information and room availability.
Online Registrations and Facility Rentals
The Recreation Department is very excited about our new online registrations and facility rental software BUT we are aware there are some glitches and are working hard to get those fixed.
If you are attempting to register/rent online and the system charges you a non resident fee when you are a resident, feel free to send us an email and we can override the mistake on our end while we continue to work on getting this fixed.
Thank you so much for your patience and understanding.
City of Walker Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Thank you to everyone who came out to this year’s Easter Egg Hunt on March 24 th ! Check out more pictures on our Facebook page. We love our Walker Community!!

We are still accepting donations for the Hand to Hand organization who provide lunches for area children in need on the weekends. Drop off box is in the lobby!
Walker Ice and Fitness Center
4151 Remembrance Rd. NW
Walker, MI 49534
Phone: (616) 735-6286