Enjoy Indoor Pool

It might be cold outside, but it's balmy in our indoor pool. The place was jumpin' Friday night!

Kids Strong with Rob

On Wednesday, January 25, Kids Strong with Rob began. This class allows kids to safely participate in cross-training. Pearce Foundation members pay only $18.75 per class; Pearce members $25; and non-members $31.25.

Yoga

Relax, strengthen, and become flexible while listening to soothing music and strengthening your core during our Yoga class on Tuesday evenings at 6:35.

Kids Zumba with James started Monday night. It features kid-friendly routines based on original Zumba® choreography. Pearce Foundation members pay only $18.75 per class; Pearce members $25; and non-members $31.25.

 

KidsTumbling

Tumbling with Priscilla began on Tuesday, January 24 and included cartwheels, head and hand stands, bridges, round offs, front and back walk overs. The kids had a blast. Pearce Foundation members pay only $18.75 per class; Pearce members $25; and non-members $31.25.

Attention Area Les Mills Instructors!

Pearce is hosting BODYATTACK 95 AIM 1 on Saturday, February 25 from 8 am to 6 pm.

TO REGISTER:

STEP 1:

Log in to your Instructor Portal account HERE.

Be sure you are affiliated with your home club under "Facilities."

STEP 2:

Once you are logged into the Instructor Portal, CLICK HERE to view the training details.

Select "1" in the Qty drop-down, then select "Register."

STEP 3:

Complete the payment process. You will receive an email receipt immediately after step 3 is complete.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: February 13, 2017

Challenge for Change

Challenge for Change was rocking last night! Participants are changing the way they think about exercise, fitness, and nutrition to overcome obstacles that prevent them from meeting their fitness goals in order to make long lasting changes to their routines for better health.

Pickleball at Pearce

Lots of pickleball being playing at Pearce today, and why not! It's fun, easier than tennis, and held in our climate-controlled gym.

REFER A FRIEND!

Pearce members can earn one month free when they refer a friend to Pearce!

Pearce Recognizes Members with Most Check-Ins in 2016

Congratulations to our members with the most check-ins in 2016! With our new expanded hours of operation, it's more convenient than ever to visit Pearce and improve your health and fitness in 2017!

Bruce Grzegorzewski had 662 check-ins in 2016, Michelle Espinoza 526, Rhonda Dunn 393, Diane Harlan 385, and Brian Watt 346.

New expanded hours of operation for 2017:

Monday-Friday: 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Saturday: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Kids Fitness Program Registration Open

Pearce Community Center will offer four different fitness classes for kids as part of their six-week Kids Fitness Program.

The classes are designed for boys and girls ages 6 to 12 and will be held on the stage from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. with a 15 child maximum enrollment.

Kids Zumba with James will begin on Monday, January 23 and feature kid-friendly routines based on original Zumba® choreography. Tumbling with Priscilla will begins on Tuesday, January 24 and include cartwheels, head and hand stands, bridges, round offs, front and back walk overs. On Wednesday, January 25, Kids Strong with Rob will begin. This class allows kids to safely participate in cross-training. Finally, Yoga with Ruth will meet on Thursdays beginning January 26. The class includes flexibility and balance, essential to overall health and physical fitness.

Pearce Foundation members pay only $18.75 per class; Pearce members $25; and non-members $31.25.

A Little Advice

By Raquel "Rocky" Herron, Fitness Manager

Happy 2017!  I can't believe 2016 is over.  Where did the time go?  It's gets a little busy this time of year around Pearce, so the fitness staff has been busy getting programs together, checking in with clients, and preparing themselves for eager new faces ready to tackle New Year's goals.  Yes, it's fitness resolution time again, and we're ready for the challenge!  I'd like to offer a little advice if you don't mind, so you can ease into your fitness journey with confidence. 

Realistic.  It's a simple word that's often overlooked in goal setting.  When setting goals, especially fitness goals, it's important to be realistic in your expectations.  You will not look like a fitness model in four weeks or perform amazing feats of strength in 30 days.  I'm blunt with you because I want you to understand dramatic results take time.  Will you feel better in two weeks with consistent exercise?  Yes.  Will clothes start to fit better after four weeks of healthy eating and exercise? Yes!  Will walking up the stairs be easier after a month of engaging in a smart cardiovascular program?  Yes!  Accomplishing small goals in the beginning adds up to big results over a longer period of time.  Consistency and patience are key in reaching your fitness resolutions.

Remember that family we always heard about growing up; the one we're not supposed to keep up with?  Runner's World has a great article out on this very subject in their latest issue.  Basically, the article talked about starting your fitness journey from where YOU are in life, not your triathlete neighbor who's been training and eating healthy for ten years.  It's so easy to try to compare ourselves to others in every arena, and fitness is no different.  I've talked about this before, but I believe it's worth mentioning again.  You have to be honest with yourself and accept the fact that maybe your fitness level is not where it was three years ago. Understand that comparing yourself to your fitness-crazed best friend who never misses a BODYATTACK™ class will only make you more frustrated.  Even if you're a regular gym goer but you've taken some time off, don't expect to have the same strength or endurance levels.  Take small steps and over time your fitness will improve and real change will happen.  Trust me! 

My final piece of advice is to embrace your new active and healthy lifestyle and know that if you want long lasting results, these goals have to become a permanent part of your lifestyle.  We don't go on and off a diet, we commit to eating healthy.  We don't decide to go to the gym for 12 weeks to fit into a bathing suit or tuxedo, we exercise for the rest of our lives for good health and a better quality of life.  Incorporating daily activity can be challenging, but your life is worth it!  Make your resolutions long lasting, permanent lifestyle changes and you'll reap the rewards!

I hope my words have been encouraging.  I understand what it's like to start from scratch and rebuild fitness.  The most important thing to realize is that we all have to start somewhere.  Know that this fitness journey is for life.  Enjoy it!  If you need help or encouragement, the fitness staff at Pearce is always willing to help.  We have amazing trainers and instructors who care about your fitness journey!  Keep up the good fight and commit to a happy, healthy 2017.  Happy New Year!  

January Senior Potluck

Pearce will host the monthly senior potluck at noon on Tuesday, January 24. All seniors are invited to bring a side dish and their own table service and join in the fun. Fried chicken and drinks are provided. This month, the Chillicothe Township Supervisor Mike Ratclifff will speak.

Pearce Instructor Hosts Christmas Luncheon

Laura Kelly, fitness instructor at Pearce, hosted a Christmas party at the Ivy Club in Peoria Heights on Friday, December 9 for participants in her fitness classes.

More than 40 people attended to enjoy lunch and meet other Pearce members. "As an instructor, I've done this many times over the years," said Laura. "I think it's important to get together to motivate each other and make fitness fun, as well as celebrate special holidays." 

	Motivation and holiday cheer among friends!

	Santa stopped by the luncheon to spread the holiday spirit.

Laura has been teaching aerobics for more than 25 years. From 2001 to 2006, she managed the aerobics program at Pearce. Currently, she

teaches Aqua Fit, Low Impact Interval, Silver Sneakers and Yoga at Pearce and maintains Yogafit, SilverSneakers, and AFAA certifications.

Laura is planning another social event for her class participants on Friday, February 10 to celebrate Valentine's Day. 

Wedding showers and receptions, Pearce has the perfect venue!

Before and After School Care Makes the Most of Cold Weather

With the cold winter season in full swing, after school care kiddos recently enjoyed hot cocoa and and nerf games inside. 

Camp counselors turned the disco ball on and the lights down and played a little music in the Community Room. Everyone worked together to build forts and an obstacle course for nerf games. Campers had their choice of marshmallows, whipped cream, or both in their cocoa.

Pearce counselors are always trying to come up with new things to do. Twister is a favorite game, but the board just isn't big enough for everyone, so they turned the camp room into a giant Twister board.

In an effort to make reading new and exciting again, the staff created "Burrito Story Time." To create more engagement with the children, the counselors will ask three simple questions about the story when it is finished. Every child who can answer the questions correctly gets to be rolled up in a rug like a burrito. Simple, but the children love it and want their turn to be "burrito-ed." 

Cupcake Wars During Holiday Day Camp

We had a lot of fun during holiday day camps earlier this week. Favorite activity? Cupcake wars!

The counselors asked the children some trivia questions about food. What does flour do for a cake? Butter? Eggs? Then we baked cupcakes and had a decorating contest. We showed the children the different tips you use when decorating cakes. We used sprinkles and colored sugar and finished just before lunch. The kids enjoyed their cupcakes for dessert.

Campers learned some fun facts about cooking, for example why we don't use hot water when you cook with eggs. It was fun to see them think about this. It really stumped them! They came up with all kinds of answers, but in the end we had to tell them it was because you don't want to cook the egg in the batter while you're trying to mix it.

Cooking days are always so much fun! The campers were better at cracking the eggs than the counselors!