BY KALISHA MENDONSA
Lacombians have access to a wide variety of fitness programs, including the fast-paced fun of the Pound! Fitness program.
Using the signature Pound! drumsticks, attendees get a fun cardio workout that combines music, movement and muscle toning. Lacombe program leader Melissa Thompson has been leading classes in the City for a little over a year now, and is proud to see the commitment to the program still growing strong.
“I first found out about Pound! through a facebook page, and looked into the classes a bit more and saw a training session was available last October. I thought about it for awhile and decided to sign up. I’m having the time of my life with it now,” Thompson said, happy to be able to facilitate the program.
“I get the ladies to warm up with the sticks, grabbing the beat of the music and their job is to beat the heck out of those sticks. If people are only giving me tiny taps, that just doesn’t work. You need to get really animated with the program. It’s got squats, ab workouts, arm workouts and things for your thighs and assets,” she laughs.
“It’s cardio and pilates and amazing movements, put together with music and it’s a blast.”
Thompson said she wasn’t in great shape when she started, and although she isn’t the most fit person around, she still has a great time growing and learning within the program.
She said anyone can jump in, and it’s a fun way to get cardio and muscle toning movements.
“I’m not even the most fit person in my class, but it doesn’t matter. I’m able to help show people the moves, all choreographed, and help them adjust to get the most out of the workout.”
She teaches in Lacombe Sunday mornings and Monday and Wednesday evenings out of the All That Jazz dance studio. As well, Thompson leads the Sylvan Lake chapter of Pound! and will be soon be bringing a daytime class to Red Deer.
“Lately especially I’ve felt myself be able to stay in positions longer and I feel stronger and I feel improvements in myself. I’m gaining definition and I’m able to have fun while I do it,” she said.
“You completely fall into the music. There are lots of different kinds of music that we play and it really feels almost like a party. We have music loud, we’re working hard, we’re working up a sweat and at the end of it, you feel refreshed and ready to go. If you’re having a bad day, please come to class because you will leave feeling so much better.”
Thompson said utilizing the sticks almost provides a distraction from the true workout, blending the genres of fun and fitness into the program. She said that visitors can burn around 900 calories in a 45-minute class, but that they don’t feel how hard they are working.
Pound! classes are fast-paced and may not be suitable for everyone, but Thompson said she does welcome everyone to try it out at least once.
With the City’s Find the Right Fit program, locals are able to do just that. More information on Find the Right Fit is available through the City web site at this time.
“There is a nice arc in the workout. You build up to a hard song, bring the tempo back down a bit to rest and eventually do it all again. It’s so much fun,” she said.
To register, contact Thompson at mel_t79@hotmail.com, or via her facebook page, Melissa’s Pound Page. The cost for a monthly sign-up is $10.
kmendonsa@lacombeexpress.com