CanFitPro

This weekend is one that I have looked forward to over the past 15+ years, the always exciting and energizing CanFitPro.

An lively weekend where fitness/wellness experts from around the world will show the newest, most effective workout moves, provide nutrition ideas, share tips for healthier living during a weekend of sweaty, heart pumping fun at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building.

With Wednesday being my only available day I scanned the very big, very heavy workshop schedule I decided to attend a pre conference session on Thai Yoga Massage by Navia, founded by Drew Hume and Daniela Goode. I was intrigued by this workshop as I’ve been wanting to learn more about hands on adjustments in yoga and had known Drew from the Toronto yoga community.

Thai massage incorporates many different soft tissue manipulation techniques (massage, fascial release, chopping, and many more) with assisted stretches and meditation in order to achieve a deep state of relaxation and believe me people were relaxed. Over the eight hours, we took turns practicing on each other and the saying of being “yoga stoned” was never more apparent. I wondered how we could possibly learn more theory after being so relaxed – it was bliss.

The Navina™ approach to Thai massage is to make this incredible practice relevant to the Western context. Through in person sessions, they focus on optimal biomechanics, the use of anatomy and creating a deeply relaxing client experience while still maintaining the heart-centred approach of this ancient art form.

What really impressed me with the work Drew and Daniela are doing is how relevant they made it for this particular (mainly fitness) audience. Daniela, coming from a group fitness background, was able to make connections that were authentic to the learners. Drew brought his deep knowledge of the body, and their jokes were continuous throughout the class which just flew by – until we were the receiver of the Thai stretch, then we never wanted time to move.

What also impressed me about Navina, was their amazing website full of online and in person professional learning opportunities. For a while I’ve had my eyes set on take a restorative teacher training, but with my schedule have found it challenging to find the time. Navina offer an extension online program, allowing their training to be accessible to anyone and anytime around the world.

can fit This workshop was lovely, and these two make learning and movement fun. If you’ve considered Thai Yoga Massage or enhancing your yoga teaching practice or are simply looking for a place to go to learn more to enhance your own practice, definitely check out the programs and services offered by Navina.

CanFitPro Toronto runs August 10-14 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. Registration is accepted on location and the trade show is well worth a visit with workshops and demonstrations happening all day long. For more information on CanFitPro click here.

CanFitPro is one of my favourite weekends in Toronto. Thousands of fitness professionals from around North American invade the Metro Toronto Convention Centre sweating, and laughing, and having a fatiguing good time all in the name of healthy, active living. An epic star studded line up including Jillian Michaels, Tosca Reno, and Hayley Wickenheiser helped kick of the rad weekend and keep the energy high all conference long.

The convention centre was buzzing, and the trade show was hopping – or Zumbaing. Here are my top 5 trends from this years CanFitPro.

1. Dance Fitness: Barre was huge this year. I’ve blogged previously about Barre workouts and moves you can do in the comfort of your own home, now many new (and American) brands are sharing their version of barre and making it more mainstream. Want to try it at home? Check out my post with the leaders in Toronto Barre, Barreworks, here.

Zumba continues to hold a significant place in the professional learning at CanFitPro. This year they offered a certification courses on their Zumba Step (think 90s step aerobics with a Zumba flair) so I’m sure those classes will be shaking their way into a studio near you soon.

2. Technology: Metrics matter and most manufacturers of fitness equipment have figured that out. The hottest metric is the new Schwinn MPower Echelon Console which takes your traditional indoor cycling bike to the next level by allowing the users to monitor calories, distance, revolutions per minute, and watts. Watts is a significant metric as it allows the user to monitor their intensity through the technology by putting numbers to their perceived levels of exertion.

Apps also continue to be popular with many free apps becoming available through big name brands such as Nike, Strava, and Schwinn, as well as other independent apps including Tabata Timers which allow the user to complete intervals (see trend 5) in an easier way.

3. Bright Colours and Bold Patterns: Fashion is always a key part of the CanFitPro expo with many big brands showcasing their gear. This year a common theme between big athletic brands like New Balance, Asics, Sketchers, and Zumba, as well as many small independent retailers was neon brights and funky bold patterns. Pants, tanks, tees, and shoes of every colour of the rainbow were available – A trend I personally love and hope continues. What am I loving now? Check out these Oakley Printed Strength Tights, available online for $90.

4. Functional Fitness: Strength training that uses your own body weight continues to lead the strength and conditioning field. This is great news for people wanting to get fit from home (or in the park) without needing lots of equipment to do so. I believe much of this comes from the added interest of obstacle races. These mass fitness events are challenging the “average Joe” to get after it and they are doing so on their own, at home, and these functional moves are giving them the results they need to rock their race (and live a healthy lifestyle), without a significant financial investment. Looking for moves you can try at home? Check out my Fit From Home Tab for ideas to get you moving and building strength in the comfort of your own home.

5. Interval Training: Whether you’re out on a run, in the pool, on a bike, or integrating strength training, intervals (including Tabata timing) is hot! Two styles of intervals were all over the conference this year and those included the ever famous Tabata, and the Copenhagen.

Tabata includes :20 seconds of hard breathless effort, followed by :10 seconds of easy recovery. This is completed for 8 rounds which takes a total of 4 minutes. In it’s authentic form it is so challenging (hard & breathless will do that to you) that it should only be completed once, so can be book ended by a 15 minute warm up and 15 minute cool down to give you a solid 30 minute sweat session.
Copenhagen includes :10 seconds of hard breathless effort, :20 seconds of hard effort, and :30 seconds of moderate effort repeated 5 times for a total of 5 minutes. This interval is followed by a two minute recovery and then repeated in it’s entirety for another 5 minutes. Add a 10-15 minute warm up and cool down and you’re set!

As above, these intervals can consist of either a single exercise, such as a run, or bike, or can be alternated with various activities including a Tabata of burpees and squats or a Copenhagen of burpees, jump squats, and regular squats.

Tune in to CHCH Morning Live Monday August 11th at 9:15 am to see the Copenhagen interval and hear me chat about my favourite fitness trends.

Have a funky interval set you love? Leave it in the comments!