​Gym Shorts: Fit as a spinning fiddle at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre

We may often take community centres and arenas for granted because they are simply, well … just there, and at this time of year, you know there’s going to be lots of hockey. But recreation centres can offer so much more.

Take the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, for example. Not only is there competitive hockey with the Ripley Wolves, the Huron-Bruce Minor Hockey teams, along with the just new this season Huff and Puff Hockey team, the Parent and Tots/Senior Skate, and the Ripley-Huron Skating Club, there are other activities taking place at this arena during the winter that don’t involve ice!

The auditorium sees its fair share of people and activities, such as the Strength Classes, the Spin Classes, and the VON Smart Fitness Classes. The Social Room is also busy, booked for various group meetings, such as the popular Ripley and District Horticultural Society, and even for cooking classes.

Located in the Hub of Huron, the Ripley-Huron Community Centre is nestled in the small Village of Ripley that is home to approximately 600 people. Also known as the Ripley Complex, it is located at 17 Queen Street and is one of the many gems in the area.

“We have an excellent facility, and are looking at expanding our programs,” said Mike Fair, director of community services, explaining that the a major one-year renovation, funded by a $500,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, was completed in the fall.

The revitalization project included a revamped main entrance with automatic touchless doors, ensuring enhanced accessibility for visitors. The complex also now has two fully-accessible dressing rooms and push-button doors, and accessible shower and washroom stalls to ensure inclusivity for all users. The installation of new sports flooring in the lobby, hallways, and dressing rooms was included in the renovations, among other things.

Fair noted that thousands of people use the centre on a monthly basis.

“We have people who use the facility from around the region, coming from Point Clark and Kincardine, for example,” he said. “We welcome and work with folks in the community who are interested in starting up any type of fitness classes.”

RECENTLY-ADDED STRENGTH AND SPIN CLASSES

The Strength Class and Spin Class are newer programs added last fall, with instructors Melissa Alexander and Brooke Osborne. This dynamic duo offers one-hour Group Strength Classes and 45-minute Spin Classes, along with other specialty classes, such as Mom and Tots sessions, and strength and beauty (for age 10-13 youth programming), and is working toward having an open gym hour while your kid is on the ice.

Alexander is an expert in spinning and all things fitness and nutrition. With 10 years in fitness training, she knows how to move the group through the beat of the music while pedalling on a stationary bike. I should know. I joined her spin classes last fall and haven’t looked back. You may know that I love to cycle and while I have been on a stationary bike in the past, I have never taken a spin class. It’s great knowing you can go at your pace and I get a great work-out. I have to say my new knees love it!

“Spin class is about counting the beat of the music while pushing harder on certain beats,” said Alexander. “The music just makes it fun.”

Participants in the Strength Class work with dumb-bells, step-up boxes, resistance bands, and do cardio. Similar to the Spin Class, there are warm-up and cool-down periods which are critical to taking care of your body.

I asked Alexander why someone should consider the Strength Class. “The key benefit of strength training is maintaining bone density as you age and building muscle to support your day-to-day movements” she said. “We are passionate about teaching people how to build a strong support system in their glutes and core to support their hips, knees and backs.”

If you like to bike, try the Spin Class and if not, then go for the Strength Class. DROP-INS are welcome.

Just a reminder that the Parents and Tots/Senior Skating is free from Monday to Friday, 9-10 a.m. Of course, I have to mention the Ripley-Huron Community Centre also has free skating sponsored on the weekends. Go to the municipal calendar to find out what activities are on and when: huronkinlosspub/calendars/facilities/index.asp.

As a reminder, you should always consult first with a medical professional or coach before starting a fitness program.