Coast Fitness owner/instructor Debbie Duyvesteyn and manager/instructor Melissa Sloos have a specific goal: provide fitness and yoga opportunities for people of all ages, regardless of their previous experience.
“Coast Fitness is a community; it’s a family,” says Duyvesteyn. “We want to get to know our clients, work with them and give them a positive fitness and yoga experience.”
Options unique to Coast Fitness include hot yoga, aerial yoga, kettlebell training and a separate indoor cycling room with 24 bikes for spin classes.
“We’re the only studio in Powell River that offers hot yoga and aerial yoga,” says Duyvesteyn. “Aerial yoga is a great way to build core strength and hot yoga is not only a physical, but also a mental challenge.”
Other styles of yoga offered include hatha, yin, vinyasa and restorative.
A staff of four yoga teachers and eight fitness instructors lead more than 30 diverse classes each week.
“All staff members are certified,” says Sloos. “We all continue to take courses and keep up to date with new trends, research and technology in fitness and yoga, so we can give our clients the best experience.”
Duyvesteyn says group fitness and yoga classes are designed so everyone, regardless of age, can achieve success, whether they are experienced, recovering from an injury or have never exercised before.
“It is our job as instructors to help everyone reach their goals,” says Duyvesteyn, “whether it’s a yoga class, spin class, weightlifting class or a HIIT [high intensity interval training] session.”
According to Sloos, group fitness can be intimidating initially, but options are available for participants to ease into programs and become used to the environment.
“Spinning is a good place to start because the room is dark, there are no mirrors and participants have control of the bike’s resistance,” says Sloos. “It’s also a great, low-impact cardio workout.”
Starting September 18, new spinners can build confidence and learn basic skills and techniques needed to be successful in regular classes during a four-week Introduction to Indoor Cycling program.
Other new events and programs for the fall include a sports conditioning program for youth, combined yoga/fitness program and six-week boot camp that leads to the Martinis for a Good Cause fundraiser in November.
“All the money from the martini night is going to Friends of Powell River to help our youth,” says Duyvesteyn.
Giving back to the community through various fundraisers is another important goal for the business.
“We enjoy hosting unique fundraisers like the upcoming Spin-a-Thon with the Powell River Kings in February, Party for a Purpose in November and Bike and Brews and Beer Yoga with Townsite Brewing throughout the year,” says Duyvesteyn.
Coast Fitness will host an open house from 4-7 pm on Thursday, September 21, with three free classes, prizes, pass deals and studio tours.
“It’s an opportunity to try a class at no charge, ask questions and have a tour of the studio,” says Sloos.
Coast Fitness is open Monday to Saturday at 102-7385 Duncan Street and child-minding is offered six days a week during morning and evening classes. Retail clothing and accessories are also available, including Lululemon products.
To contact the studio about personal training availability or to sign up for any class or program:
• coastfitness.ca
• [email protected]
• 604.485.5160
• facebook.com/coastfitnesspowellriver
• instagram.com/find.your.lift
