Fitness

Cameron St. Amand (left) competed as a finalist in the 2023 World’s Strongest Firefighter Contest, which involved doing a sandbag carry. (Special to The News)

B.C. firefighter competes in World’s Strongest Firefighter Contest

Cameron St. Amand was one of only two Canadian finalists in the competition

 

A pediatrician involved in creating new treatment guidelines for obese children in Canada says an “alarming” rise in obesity has led to a greater need for surgery as an intervention for teens whose mental and physical suffering typically worsens into adulthood. A close-up of a beam scale in New York, Tuesday, April 3, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Patrick Sison

Ahead of new childhood obesity guidelines, doctors say surgery is an important option

Earlier intervention recommended with medication or surgery after failed efforts at behaviour change

 

(Black Press file image)

Just a bit of exercise can improve mental health, scientists, psychologists say

It’s that time of year when gloomy weather and New Year’s resolutions…

 

Scott Viala portait. Lia Crowe photography

Secrets, lives and the 7 sins with Scott Viala

Steel mace trainer builds strength and skills

  • Jan 23, 2023
Scott Viala portait. Lia Crowe photography
Bob Dorobis plays his guitar at home in Middletown, N.J., on Dec. 4, 2022. Dorobis redoubled his efforts to learn fingerpicking during the pandemic. (Jeanann Dorobis via AP)

Music, exercise, gray hair: Pandemic practices that live on

Taking a look at some of the changes we made that seemed to stick around

Bob Dorobis plays his guitar at home in Middletown, N.J., on Dec. 4, 2022. Dorobis redoubled his efforts to learn fingerpicking during the pandemic. (Jeanann Dorobis via AP)
A family cycles along Lake Okanagan in Kelowna, B.C., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

ParticipAction gives kids and youth a D for activity, an F for screen time

18 per cent of children and youth meet recommended daily cap of 2 hours of recreational screen time

A family cycles along Lake Okanagan in Kelowna, B.C., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Joyce Lindemulder holds Sherry Turnbull. Photo supplied

‘Really unfit’ B.C. woman takes up competitive powerlifting at 61

Joyce Lindemulder says ‘resistance is never futile’ in her bid to lift her way to fitness

Joyce Lindemulder holds Sherry Turnbull. Photo supplied
Christine Thomas addresses the crowd, with the old playground in the background. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Playground, fitness facility groundbreaking for Island First Nations community

All ages being accommodated in the design

Christine Thomas addresses the crowd, with the old playground in the background. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Photo credit: Kamloops Immigrant Services

Get Moving with Your Community this June

Download the ParticipACTION app, track your activity + help your community compete to win $100K!

  • May 30, 2022
Photo credit: Kamloops Immigrant Services
(Photo - Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

B.C. teenagers can hit the gym without hitting their wallet this summer

The initiative runs from May 16-August 31

(Photo - Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
Nanaimo’s Jennifer Brock has made it to the top 10 in her group in voting in the Ms. Health and Fitness contest promoted by Muscle and Fitness Hers magazine. (Photo submitted)

Vancouver Island woman trying for ‘Ms. Health and Fitness’ title

39-year-old has made it through two rounds of voting in magazine cover contest

Nanaimo’s Jennifer Brock has made it to the top 10 in her group in voting in the Ms. Health and Fitness contest promoted by Muscle and Fitness Hers magazine. (Photo submitted)
Rio Crystal of Comox is pictured during the Arctic Ultra Race from Dawson City to the Arctic Circle. Facebook

B.C. teen wins world’s toughest, coldest foot race

Rio Crystal won the Arctic Ultra Race: 250 miles from Dawson City to the Arctic Circle

Rio Crystal of Comox is pictured during the Arctic Ultra Race from Dawson City to the Arctic Circle. Facebook
January 17, 2022 - Chris Smith, CEO Fitness World, photographed at the Cambie Street Fitness World location in Vancouver. Don Denton photography

Fighting Fit

Fitness World’s Chris Smith battles pandemic with an overriding passion for the benefits of exercise

  • Feb 16, 2022
January 17, 2022 - Chris Smith, CEO Fitness World, photographed at the Cambie Street Fitness World location in Vancouver. Don Denton photography
Namaskar Yoga Studio was forced again to shut its doors again due to a provincial health order to close all studios and fitness centres as of Dec. 23. (Namaskar Yoga Studio photo)

COVID-19: Island gym users and owners unhappy with latest round of regulations

‘Not fair and it’s not right’

Namaskar Yoga Studio was forced again to shut its doors again due to a provincial health order to close all studios and fitness centres as of Dec. 23. (Namaskar Yoga Studio photo)

B.C. gym forced to close due to B.C. COVID mandate calls for essential service status

Gyms, fitness centres and bars were recently ordered to close under new Omicron-related measures

Mitchel Cook attempted to set a Guinness World Records mark for most burpees in a one-hour period. (Submitted photo)

PQBeat: Burpees king Mitchel Cook of Nanoose Bay discusses world record attempt

Podcast: Fitness enthusiast plans another run at Guinness standard

Mitchel Cook attempted to set a Guinness World Records mark for most burpees in a one-hour period. (Submitted photo)
The strain begins to show on Mitchel Cook’s face as he attempts to set a new Guinness World Record for burpees. (Michael Briones photo)

155 burpees short: B.C. man performs whopping 796 burpees in world record attempt

Mitchel Cook says he’ll likely take another shot at breaking standard of 951 in one hour

The strain begins to show on Mitchel Cook’s face as he attempts to set a new Guinness World Record for burpees. (Michael Briones photo)
Mitchel Cook is aiming to do 1000 burpees in an hour to set a new Guinness World Records mark. (Submitted photo)

B.C. man aims to set Guinness World Record with 1,000 burpees in 1 hour

21-year-old ready to make public attempt Nov. 5 in Parksville

Mitchel Cook is aiming to do 1000 burpees in an hour to set a new Guinness World Records mark. (Submitted photo)
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2021, file photo, people wear masks as they work out outside the Hardcore Fitness gym, due to COVID-19 restrictions in downtown Los Angeles. The pandemic has changed how the fitness industry evaluates itself. Roughly 9,000 health clubs, 22% of the total nationwide, have closed since the beginning of the virus outbreak, according to the International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association. The pandemic is reshaping America's fitness industry and ushering in a new era of home workouts and virtual classes. High-end exercise equipment maker Peloton is breaking ground Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, on its first U.S. factory in Ohio. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Will gyms go the way of arcades and movie rental stores?

Roughly 9,000 U.S. health clubs have closed since the beginning of the virus outbreak

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2021, file photo, people wear masks as they work out outside the Hardcore Fitness gym, due to COVID-19 restrictions in downtown Los Angeles. The pandemic has changed how the fitness industry evaluates itself. Roughly 9,000 health clubs, 22% of the total nationwide, have closed since the beginning of the virus outbreak, according to the International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association. The pandemic is reshaping America's fitness industry and ushering in a new era of home workouts and virtual classes. High-end exercise equipment maker Peloton is breaking ground Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, on its first U.S. factory in Ohio. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Nanaimo’s Patrick Vellner competes at the CrossFit Games in Madison, Wis., over the August long weekend. (Photo courtesy CrossFit LLC/Duke Loren)

Vancouver Island man among ‘fittest on Earth’ after podium finish at CrossFit Games

Nanaimo’s Patrick Vellner places second of 38 competitors in international fitness sport competition

Nanaimo’s Patrick Vellner competes at the CrossFit Games in Madison, Wis., over the August long weekend. (Photo courtesy CrossFit LLC/Duke Loren)