JANUARY 2021
Quarter 1 | Winter Edition
Fitness Center: Fitness Classes are BACK, Specials on memberships & personal training, How to track a successful weight loss, and a cozy (but healthy) must-try recipe!

Ice Arena: Our ice programs are BACK, Try Hockey for FREE Day, and How to buy proper fitting hockey equipment!

Recreation: Spring Soccer registration and How to rent one of our park pavilions!
We're Ready to Welcome You Back!
Fitness Classes and Hockey Programs are BACK: We were thrilled to get the green light to bring back our fitness classes and hockey programs! Fitness classes started this week! Masks are still required, as is pre-registering for classes. You can pre-register at our front desk, or by calling (616) 735-6286. View our updated class schedule below. Click here for class descriptions. We look forward to having you back!

*Please review our member stay safe guidelines!


Wearing Masks at the Gym:
With COVID-19 interrupting our daily routines, exercising is as important as ever - not only for physical health but mental health too. To help stop the spread of COVID-19, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services requires that members and guests wear masks properly any time they are at the gym, including during the workout.

What Is the Best Kind of Mask?
The finer the fabric—that is, the smaller the gaps in the threading—the better the mask will be for capturing any moisture from your breath.
Getting Started in the Gym
One of the things we hear a lot when new members join the Walker Ice and Fitness Center is that they worry about not knowing what to do once they get here! People quickly realize that the WIFC is a great place to meet fitness goals, make friends and have fun! Here are a few easy tips to help you get started on the right foot!
Have a Plan before you Arrive
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Don’t walk into the gym planning to “wing-it”. If you do, chances are you’ll spend most of your time walking around aimlessly, rather than working out. Plan a workout schedule for the week. Ask yourself:

· How many days do I want to come to the gym?
· How long do I plan on working out each day?
· Do I want to mix cardio with strength training?
· For strength training, do I want to cycle through muscle groups, or alternate upper and lower body work?
Learn the Equipment
WIFC offers free Gym Orientations to all new gym members (these are by appointment – sign up at the Front Desk).

During orientations, one of our knowledgeable fitness staff members will take you through the facility to give you a tutorial on our equipment. Many of the machines have picture descriptions, but don’t assume that they will be enough. Use the time to ask lots of questions and you’ll be able to try machines to ensure you’re using them correctly.

Don’t have time for an orientation or just need a refresher? No worries! Always feel free to ask if you have questions about a specific piece of equipment – our staff is always willing to help!
Consider a Personal Trainer

A personal trainer can be an invaluable tool and resource to help meet your fitness goals. One of our certified personal trainers will work with you to help you learn proper techniques and form. They will introduce you to exercises and equipment you might not have used on your own. Personal training will help you succeed in your overall health and fitness goals!
It’s better together! Here is how it works:
· Only the referring member is eligible for a free month and must be a current member.
· Person being referred must be a NEW member and not a renewal of membership (unless it's been over a year since they have been a member).
· Adding additional family members in the same household does not qualify for free month.
· New member must sign up for a membership and prepay, or give debit information, for monthly billing.
· Free month will be added onto the end of active contract or we will skip the following month's billing.
This year, we will be hosting a Healthy Heart Challenge. Each time you come in during the month of February to work out, you will be able to fill out a heart to enter our prize drawing.

1 workout = 1 entry – once per day!!

The more times you work out, the more chances you will have to win and the healthier you will become!! Look for more information at the front desk later this month!
Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

One of the best boosts you can give your immune system is Vitamin D! Surprisingly, it’s not actually a vitamin, but a hormone. This is important as hormones impact our entire bodies and help us interact with our environments, playing a huge role in helping bodies fight off bacteria, fungus, parasites, and viruses.

Around 90% of our Vitamin D creation comes from sun exposure which means that in the winter, when our vitamin D levels drop by about a third, we are more likely to experience illness. Fatigue, insomnia, muscle and joint pain and frequent sinus and respiratory infections are all symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency.

The good news is that we can help fight the effects of the harsh Michigan winter by taking Vitamin D supplements and eating foods naturally rich in Vitamin D, including fatty fish, yogurt, mushrooms, egg (especially the yolk) and many fortified breakfast cereals.
Hockey's BACK!
If you have questions, please contact Mike Fountain at mfountain@walkericeandfitness.com. You can also pre-register (although, not required) through the USA Hockey website, or simply drop-in on February 20!

Our last Try Hockey for FREE Day was a huge success, with 40 participants practicing their shooting, puck handling and scoring with help from our HAWK coaches and players from the Kenowa Hills Knights Varsity Hockey Team!
One-on-One with Ice Director Mike Fountain
Why should kids choose skating or hockey as a recreation activity?

Mike: Skating and hockey are fantastic ways to keep in shape, learn a new sport, make friends and have fun! It’s the one sport you can truly do and play for the rest of your life.

Are the WIFC programs okay for kids who have never skated?

Mike: Absolutely! You have to start somewhere. Why not learn from the best Learn to Skate/Play Program in West Michigan? With our professional staff, your kids are in great hands!

Once kids have completed Learn to Skate/Learn to Play hockey, are there opportunities to continue with ice recreation?

Mike: The next step is to sign up for our Cross Ice Program or register with the HAWK hockey program at www.hawkhockey.net.

You’ve been with WIFC for 7 years now. What would you say has been the biggest change in the ice programs since you took over as Ice Director?

Mike: The biggest change to the hockey programs at WIFC is the fact that as Hockey Director, I am personally on the ice and running all the programs. A real hands-on approach. You don’t get that at other rinks or hockey associations in the area.

What do kids need to take part in Learn to Skate and Learn to Play?

Mike: Learn to skaters will need skates, either their own or rentals that we have available. A bike helmet or hockey helmet is highly recommended (snow plow participants must wear a helmet). Also, some warm clothing and either winter gloves or hockey gloves for comfort. Learn to Play Hockey requires full hockey equipment.

Buying Hockey Equipment?

The best place to start is by stopping in the Pro Shop or emailing Ice Director, Mike Fountain mfountain@walkericeandfitness.com for advice. Mike has enormous experience as a player, coach and dad to his own hockey player, and will be able to help point you in the right direction. Our Walker Ice and Fitness Center Pro Shop specializes in hockey, with an extremely knowledgeable staff and the best prices in West Michigan! It's open every day!
We get a kick out of this game!
  • Register online only:
February 1-28.
  • 4-6 yr. old age group is $30 for Walker residents and $40 for non-residents.
  • 7-8 yr. old, 9-10 yr. old and 11-12-13 yr. old age groups is $40 for Walker residents and $50 for non-residents
  • There is a $5.00 discount for each additional family member registered.
  • There will be a $10.00 LATE FEE charged for any registrations received after the February 28 deadline.
  • We will be following MDHHS mandates for youth soccer programs.
  • We need volunteer coaches! Feel free to get in touch with Sharon at sjohnson@walkericeandfitness.com or Michelle at mmay@walkericeandfitness.com for details!
We're inviting you to Post a Selfie with your Sweetheart, the week of February 7-14! We will have selfie stations outside our building, as well as Walker Fire Station #2 on Lake Michigan Drive in Standale. Be sure to post those pictures on the City of Walker's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages for a chance to win prizes, like a one-month WIFC membership, or a one-night stay at the Hampton inn Grand Rapids North. Kids and adults are welcome to take part!
Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17.  It is celebrated by individuals, groups and organizations nationwide to encourage acts of kindness. The movement inspires people to pay it forward any way they can. This year, the City of Walker Community Engagement Committee encourages residents to pick up a kindness card at the WIFC front desk as a reminder to make someone smile. If you received a kind gesture, along with one of these cards, please share your experience on the City of Walker's Facebook page or social media with the hashtag #WalkerSpreadsKindness and encourage others!