Senior Strong Cross Training

Pearce has launched Senior Strong, a cross training program for seniors. This one-hour class will feature cross-training techniques tailored to mature adults to help them gain greater strength, endurance, and flexibility to perform everyday tasks with ease. Squats will strengthen legs which will help improve ability to climb stairs and sitting to a couch or toilet; overhead press exercises will make it easier to reach overhead to get something out of a cabinet; and stretching and mobility exercises will improve range of motion to be able to reach down and pick something up off the floor.

Senior Strong will meet each Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. The cost is $37.50 per month for Foundation members, $50 per month for members; and $62.50 per month for non-members.

Kids Fitness Programs Registration Now Open

Pearce 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, September 12 and feature kid-friendly routines based on original Zumba® choreography. Tumbling with Priscilla will begins on Tuesday, September 13 and include cartwheels, head and hand stands, bridges, round offs, front and back walk overs. On Wednesday, September 14, 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 September 15. The class including flexibility and balance, essential to overall health and physical fitness.

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

You're Never Too Old to Cross Train

Think you can't take advantage of cross-training because of your age? Think again. Raquel "Rocky" Herron, Fitness Manager, and Gavin Sullivan, Sports Manager and Pearce Strong instructor, have put together Senior Strong, a cross-training class designed for member age 50 plus.

This one-hour class will feature cross-training techniques tailored to mature adults to help them gain greater strength, endurance, and flexibility to perform everyday tasks with ease. Squats will strengthen legs which will help improve ability to climb stairs and sitting to a couch or toilet; overhead press exercises will make it easier to reach overhead to get something out of a cabinet; and stretching and mobility exercises will improve range of motion to be able to reach down and pick something up off the floor.

Click here to view a video that features a 70-year-old with stage 4 melanoma who cross trains.

The class is free to member 50 plus and will meet six times: August 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and 25, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Registration is not required, just show up and Rocky and Gavin will help you increase your fitness level.

Weight Loss Challenge at Pearce

Pearce Community Center is offering a six-week Weight Loss Challenge to help with holiday over indulgence and the most popular New Year’s resolution: losing weight.

Pearce certified personal trainers will provide basic nutrition guidance and tips as well as a cross training fitness program using strength and cardio training to help contestants shed the most weight to win the challenge. Contestants meet with a trainer for one hour twice each week. Meet with trainer David Dunn on Mondays and Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.; trainer Michelle Manjak on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.; trainer Natalie Healy on Wednesdays and Saturdays from noon to 1:00 p.m.; or Raquel Herron on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The contestant who loses the largest percentage of weight will win three months of free Pearce membership and one hour of personal training. Second place will win two hours of personal training and two Spinning®/TRX® punch cards, and the third place contestant will win one hour of personal training and one Spinning®/TRX® punch card.


The cost is $100 for Pearce members; $150 for non-members. Register in advance at Pearce. 

Holiday Weight Loss Challenge

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Opens Remodeled Pearce Strong Cross Training Room

Pearce Community Center Director Ben Alvarez was joined by Pearce Board members and staff for a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the remodeled Pearce Strong Cross Training Room on Monday, September 14.

 

"We are very excited to get this room open again," said Alvarez. "We had to close the room in May to repair the concrete floor that had cracked. We had to remove the old concrete, fill in the crawl space beneath the floor with gravel, and pour a thicker concrete floor to support the weights used in the Pearce Strong Cross Training class. Once we got into the project, we decided to go beyond the floor repairs and give the room a fresh, new look."

 

In addition to replacing the concrete, one-inch thick rubber tiles were laid to protect the floor and provide cushioned support for Pearce Strong participants. New paint and diamond plate completed the remodeling.

 

"We strive to offer the greatest value in fitness in downstate Illinois," said Alvarez. "So as part of this relaunch, we have lowered the price of Pearce Strong. Given the long list of amenities we offer including an indoor pool, two gymnasiums, indoor walking track, and a wide variety of fitness equipment, Pearce value simply can't be beat."

 

Pearce Strong Cross Training is a one-month class designed to improve performance, fitness, and endurance. High intensity, constantly varied, one-hour workouts three times each week are based on individual abilities and combine movements including sprinting, rowing, and weightlifting. Choose Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes that meet at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. or Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays classes that meet at 5:30 p.m. The next session begins on Monday, September 28.

 

The cost of each one month session is $60 for Pearce Foundation members; $75 for Pearce members; and $100 for non-members. Pearce will also discount the new lower price an additional 20 percent for all registrations by October 14. 

Left to right:  Pearce Board members Dennis Parkins, Dr. John Calhoun and Adam Leiner, Fitness Manager Liz Thorp, Board President Ty Fennell, Pearce Director Ben Alvarez, Pearce Strong Instructor Gavin Sullivan, and new Pearce Strong student Mary Stanbary.

25th Anniversary Fall Fitness Frenzy at Pearce

Pearce Community Center will host Fall Fitness Frenzy Monday, September 14 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. This special event includes six 30-minute group exercise classes, the re-opening of the renovated Pearce Strong cross training room, the introduction of Kids Zumba class, drawings, prizes, and discounts.

Free access to the public to six of the most popular group exercise classes will be available. Try the TRX Suspension Training from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the front gym; Beginner Hip Hop from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the back gym; Spinning® from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the Spinning® room; and Kick Fit from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.; RIP from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.; and Yoga from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. all in the Aerobics Studio. During each class, the instructor will give all participants a ticket to enter into a drawing for three months of free membership at Pearce.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Pearce Strong room will take place at 4:00 p.m. After the ceremony, Pearce Strong instructor Gavin Sullivan will offer free cross training and personal consultation until 7:00 p.m. Registration will also be accepted for the program at the new reduced price of $60 per month for Pearce Foundation members; $75 per month for Pearce members; and $100 per month for non-members. Register for unlimited months by October 14 and receive 20 percent off. In addition, Pearce Strong registrations during the Fall Fitness Frenzy will receive a free $10 voucher to apply to any Pearce Strong purchase.

The new Kids Zumba class will be introduced during the Fall Fitness Frenzy as well. Class demonstration and registration will be available from 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. on the stage. Children age six to 12 are invited to participate in the demonstration. Parents must sign a release form. All participants will be entered into a drawing for a free birthday party package at Pearce. Registration will be accepted for the fall Kids Zumba class each Monday from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. September 21 through November 9. Kids Zumba is open to children ages six to 12. The cost of the eight-week session is $18 for Pearce Foundation members; $20 for Pearce members; and $24 for non-members. Space is limited to 15 children. 

Pearce Strong Cross Training Class Begins February 2

The next one-month class of Pearce Strong Cross Training will begin on Monday, February 2.

Is It In You? Find Out With The Challenge Within

May Member of the Month Announced

Our Member of the Month for May is the group of Pearce members who recently represented Pearce Community Center in the men’s and women’s novice division of the spring Festivus Games held April 19 in Peoria. Novice and intermediate CrossFit athletes at gyms across the country competed in this one day event, all on the same day.

Pearce member competitors included Mindy Daum, LouAnn Harms, Allison Irvin, Brooke Kitts, mother and daughter Carol and Erica Larson, Sarah Miller, and Kassie Williams.

Allison Irvin finished fourth of 27 local competitors. Brooke Kitts won first place locally, and ranked sixth in the nation against 1,062 competitors.

In the men’s novice division, Pearce members Tony Oedewaldt, Brian Ramseyer, and Nathan Webster competed. Webster won the local competition and ranked fourth in the nation against 372 other competitors.  

Congratulations to all the competitors!

Summer Drop-In Personal Training Available

Pearce Community Center will offer drop-in personal training every Monday through Saturday May 12 through August 14 for ages 12 and up. Personal trainer Sean Gillen will create a beginner, intermediate, and advanced daily workout that will include strength training, cardio, circuits, plyometric, and stretching. He will provide individualized training to all participants to help them reach their fitness goals. This program is an excellent on-ramp for the monthly Pearce Strong CrossFit-style training program.

Drop-in personal training will be available Monday through Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Foundation members pay only $7.50 per visit. Members pay $10, and non-members pay $12. 

Personal Trainer Sean Gillen

Pearce Dominates Registration for Festivus Games

Pearce Community Center will be well represented at the 2014 Spring Festivus Games, Saturday, April 19, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at CrossFit Peoria at 2601 W Lake Avenue in the Westlake Shopping Center. Spectators are welcome, so come out and cheer on our 15 member team including:

Gavin Sullivan
Sean Gillen
Rob Ordaz
Sara Miller
Kassie Williams
Brian Ramseyer
Allison Irvin
Anthony Oedewaldt
Marissa Benavidez
Carol Larson
Erica Larson
LouAnn Harms
Brooke Kitts
Mindy Daum
Nathan Webster

The Festivus Games are a national CrossFit competition for the novice and intermediate CrossFitter.

Fittest Women in the World

Here's a great story about the Fittest Women in the World Annie Thorisdottir who won the 2011 and 2012 World CrossFit Games. She missed the 2013 games due to injury, but will attempt to take back her title during this year's games July 25 in Carson City, CA. 

http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/annie-thorisdottir-fittest-woman-crossfit-champion/#1

Beauty and the Bulk

Pearce Community Center Sports/League manager Gavin Sullivan said "I hear many women say they don't want to look bulky, so they avoid CrossFit-style training." Here's a different perspective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zvqNHDTf8Y

Gavin Sullivan, Sports/League Manager, Personal Trainer

De-Mystifying CrossFit-Style Training

About ten years ago, fitness enthusiasts created a high intensity training program in order to reach even greater strength and endurance goals and named it CrossFit. Over the last two years, this training method has been added to more than 6,000 facilities across the country. ESPN now covers the annual national competition.

Media representation has created a popular perception of CrossFit practitioners. They are typically men, 20 to 35 years old, in extraordinary physical condition, with ripped abs and bulging biceps. “That perception couldn’t be farther from the truth,” explains Pearce Community and Fitness Center program manager and personal trainer Liz Thorp. “In fact, it’s harmful because it scares away people who could really improve the quality of their life. This style of training is customized to each person’s unique fitness and ability level. We have all shapes and sizes of 16 to 67-year-old men and women in our classes.”

CrossFit-style training does not contain a set of super-secret exercises that only elite athletes can perform. It is functional training—training that improves your ability to complete everyday tasks—but the objective is to build intensity with the help of an individualized training plan, the one-on-one attention of a personal trainer, and the encouragement and support of other class members who are also pushing themselves as hard as they can.

“Our class size allows us to offer an average ratio of four students to one trainer, providing the focus and personalization of a personal trainer as well as the encouragement of your comrades,” explains Gavin Sullivan, sports and league manager and personal trainer at Pearce. “Each day we develop our workout of the day. It’s the first thing my students want to see when they arrive for class.” Some workouts are cardio-focused, while others are focused on strength. Each one includes weight lifting, whether it’s equipment or body weight exercises like lifting yourself during pushups and sit-ups. “It’s the load, intensity and duration of the weight lifting that determines if the exercise is strength or cardio focused.” Rowing and biking are part of the training as well as running both inside on the track and outside weather permitting.

CrossFit-style training at Pearce is led by Sullivan and Sean Gillen. Both are certified personal trainers, and both earned bachelor degrees: Sullivan in sports management and Gillen in exercise science.

 

Pearce remodeled the free weight room about a year ago to facilitate this specialized training style. The remodel created more open space to facilitate the camaraderie between participants, a trademark of this training style. It also brought new multi-functional equipment to reduce the space required to accommodate many pieces of equipment for each type of training. 

The 70,000-square-foot Pearce Community and Fitness Center offers an indoor swimming pool and a wide variety of group exercise programs including Zumba®, Spinning® and Silver Sneakers®. Pearce also offers two gymnasiums, an indoor walking track and one of the area’s largest weight rooms. Before and after school programs, day and summer camps, and soccer, basketball and volleyball youth leagues for kids are also available.

Pearce Community and Fitness Center is located at 610 West Cedar Street in Chillicothe. For more information, visit www.pearcecc.com or call (309) 274-4209.