One tool; thousands of exercises

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

For anyone looking to get a good full-body work out, the idea of doing so with a pole that has two elastic bands attached to the ends may raise a few eyebrows. “I remember bringing it to one of the women who really likes to be challenged and is always looking for something new. And she just laughed,” said Joelle Menard, program director at Monster Gym in Dollard des Ormeaux. “But after doing the exercises, she couldn’t walk for two days.”

Menard is talking about Gymstick, a new fitness tool that has taken Europe by storm over the past five years, and is now moving into other countries around the world, including Canada.

While it may look minimal at first, the Gymstick can be used for everything from cardiovascular and muscle training to balance and flexibility and toning and weight loss. It can be used all-year round, alone at home, outside during walks and runs, and in group settings. Physiotherapists have also been using it for rehabilitation, and athletes can use it for sport-specific training, Menard explained, adding there is even a portable version for people who travel often and don’t want to leave their exercise routine at home. “It’s a gym in one,” Menard said. The Gymstick is available in four different resistance levels. Exercisers can also adjust the intensity and resistance level mid-workout by simply rolling the bar, causing the exercise bands to wind or unwind. Unlike free weights that can stress your back, the Gymstick always places the resistance under your centre of gravity, reducing the risk of injury. It is also portable and lightweight, making it an ideal tool for personal trainers and anyone looking to get or stay in shape. “There are about 1,000 exercises you can do with it, and there are more coming every day,” Menard said. “Everything nowadays is about functional training…and this is a really versatile tool.”

Menard, a former Canadian aerobic champion and world aerobic competitor, recently returned from Finland where she received her Gymstick master trainer certification, and says she is excited about bringing the fitness tool to Quebec. Monster Gym will be the first in Montreal to offer Gymstick classes, beginning in December with the basic training course. “Monster Gym is very forward-thinking that way. We’re constantly updating what we offer here,” Menard said. “We’re always trying to find new ways to challenge people.”

For more information on the Gymstick classes offered at Monster Gym, e-mail gymstickcanada@videotron.ca. For more information on Gymstick, visit www.gymstick.net.