Encompass Fitness in Estevan has found a new way to encourage businesses to be fit and to raise funds for a worthy cause this year.
The fundraiser, Charitable Community Workplace Challenge, is a four-week initiative that starts June 15. It was slated to begin on June 1, but with the timing of the Phase 3 of the provincial government’s Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan on June 8, and the ability for gyms to open again, Encompass owner Brady Johnson said they wanted to allow a little more time for more businesses to join and participate.
“Our goal is to have different workplaces participate, and just to bring a lot of health and some good routines and some feel-good energy to their employees, whether they’re working or they’re at home,” said Johnson.
Businesses that participate will pay a fee, and half of the proceeds will be directed to the Rotary Club of Estevan, who will disperse the funds among different causes. Rotary was chosen because their lobsterfest fundraiser has been postponed, and the service group does a lot of good in the community.
“We chose to partner with them, and just allow them to help us and really come onside and give back to some of the partnerships and organizations throughout the community.”
Each business that participates gives their employees the option to join, and they’ll have access to virtual fitness classes that they can participate in at any time during the day.
“We will teach the class live, so they can join the live (session) or do a replay, and then each week there’ll be a different health challenge, so they will give (their employees) the habit, and then each employee gets to pick how they approach that habit, and try to invite healthier habits into their lives each week, over the four weeks of the challenge,” said Johnson.
Each employee will get points for participating in the different classes, habit challenges and other bonus challenges that they have. Other exercises are also available as a bonus, and people are encouraged to be as active as possible during the month.
The business that has the most points per participant will be the winner, and get to donate $1,000 to the charity of their choice.
“Our hope was to really bring some positive energy to our community, giving back to the charities while also helping local businesses, because we know that when people are healthier, they seem to be happier, and it’s just a win-win for everyone,” she said.
A couple of businesses have already agreed to join, and they hope to have five to 10 teams.
The past couple of months have allowed Encompass to expand their online offerings. They closed in mid-March, like other gyms and fitness facilities, but will open again June 8 when they get the green light from the provincial government.
“Even though it’s a challenging time, it’s also a very exciting time for us,” she said.
Online services will continue to be offered once the fitness centre reopens, although they will continue to encourage people to come to the studio.
Encompass moved to a new facility while it was closed due to the pandemic, a move that had been in the works prior the shutdown for COVID-19.
“We have a larger floor plan, just more usable for our members. It has a new a layout so we can offer some new services, and it’s a little bit closer to downtown, which is beneficial for people who can come her during their lunch breaks or come here directly after work.”
The past few months have been challenging, but some Zoom sessions and reinforcement of positive habits have all helped.
She believes the new location is everything she had hoped for and more.
