NEW AT THE REH-FIT pg 4 • ENHANCING COMMUNITY HEALTH pg 6 • PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE pg 11A LEGACY THAT BENEFITS COMMUNITY HEALTH pg 13 • PROTECTING OUR CLIENTS pg 14

EXERCISE CAN

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2010 REH-FIT MAgAzINE

R E H - F I T

www.reh-fit.com>

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Reh-Fit MAgAzINE 2010 2

It’s there in black and white, in some of the most prestigious medical journals in the world: Regular exercise not only can make you look and feel better, but it can also help prevent and treat almost every imaginable disease and increase your lifespan.

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Working out for as little as 15 minutes, three days a week reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s by 40%.

A study of 6,936 Harvard alumni, aged

35-74 over a period of 16 years, showed

that by performing simple physical

exercises, such as walking, stair-climbing,

and participating in sports, both men

and women had death rates one-quarter

to one-third longer than those who

didn’t exercise for long periods.

In research that monitored 39,372 women

aged 45 years or older for seven years,

the simple act of walking up to two or more

hours per week played a significant role in

reducing cardiovascular disease risk.

According to a study that followed 21,832

men for 11 years, the more often a man

exercises, the greater his protection

from suffering a stroke.

Exercise has been shown to ease symptoms

of depression, reduce stress and anxiety,

and boost self-esteem immediately after

one workout.

A 12-year study of 90,508 women, 3,424

with breast cancer, found that five hours of

vigorous exercise per week produced great

benefits in the prevention and survival of

breast cancer.

In a 14-year analysis of 47,620 male health

professionals, researchers concluded

that regular vigorous exercise could help

reduce chances of suffering from prostate

cancer and also slow the progression

of the disease in those who have it.

Regular exercise not only helps prevent

and treat major diseases, but numerous

studies also find that exercise imparts

tremendous benefits to overall health,

and enhances quality of life by helping

individuals manage chronic conditions

and other common health problems.

You can’t live forever . . . but you can live well, reduce arthritic pain, maintain your mobility, help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s, and minimize the limitations of aging far into your senior years. Exercise can do all that.

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In our quest to be the best health and fitness centre in the country, the Reh-Fit Centre focuses attention on every aspect of our operation. From incorporating more programs and safety measures for our members to minimizing our impact on the environment, we are on a path of continual improvement.

Here’s a glimpse at a few of the new initiatives launched over the past year:

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Programs and Equipment

Zumba®

It’s the newest and one of the most popular fitness programs. The Reh-Fit Centre was among the first to introduce Zumba® – a dance-aerobics workout that uses footwork and body movements from flamenco and other dances, with Latin instrumentals.

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This past year, Reh-Fit launched the Zumba® Party! This two-hour event attracted more than 300 participants at two events. Led by our Zumba® instructors, the party was comprised of Reh-Fit members, members of other fitness facilities, the public and several surrounding rural communities. Two new Zumba® Parties are planned for 2010 – May 28 and November 5 – at the Reh-Fit Centre.

Cycling – Free for Members

This past year, cycling classes became just one more of the many benefits that are included free with membership at the Reh-Fit Centre. As a result of this change, participation has now tripled in the nine classes that members can choose from every week.

Sci-Fit Pro II Bikes

Two additional Sci-Fit Pro II Bikes have been added to the field house. These bikes are ideal for low fit members and individuals with disabilities.

Our CentreGoing Green

In November 2008, an independent audit of electricity, natural gas, and water use showed we scored very well in energy efficiency compared with similar health and fitness centres in Winnipeg because

of the energy efficient systems installed during the renovation and expansion. Still, the report noted there were opportunities for the Centre to make better use of resources in a more environmentally friendly manner.

We have already taken several steps to save money and the environment, such as doubling recycling, switching to green cleaning products, and rezoning in some locations of the Centre to eliminate simultaneous heating and cooling.

Other measures include equipping staff parking stalls with parking lot controllers that provide trouble-free starts while cutting plug-in expenses by roughly 50%, optimizing temperatures in the Centre, and installing programmable thermostats in the field house to reduce heating and cooling costs during unoccupied hours.

Planned improvements in the coming fiscal year are as follows:

> switching to more energy efficient lighting that will improve the quality of light and lighting levels within the field house while reducing operating costs. This modern lighting system will provide higher security and flexibility as the fixtures can be quickly started or re-started without any warm-up time required.

> conserving water by installing aerators on faucets and replacing showerheads with more water efficient versions that maintain the quality of showers yet cut water use.

> installing sensors on light switchesfor low traffic areas.

Most of these projects will be completed with the help of Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart programs, which provide financial incentives that offset costs and shorten payback times.

Once these and other energy conservation measures are in place, we will seek BOMA BESt certification, reflecting our commitment to reducing operating and maintenance costs, eliminating wasteful practices, and increasing member and staff comfort.

BOMA BESt has been the industry standard for environmental management in commercial buildings since 2005. Certification is through the Building Owners and Managers Association of Manitoba.

Upgrading Our Facility

To ensure the safe arrival and departure of our members and guests, the Reh-Fit Centre extended the sidewalk, added a hand rail and installed underground sidewalk heating to keep the walkway free of ice and snow.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Neal Lerner to the position of Medical Advisor - Cardiac Rehabilitation. Dr. Lerner joins the Reh-Fit Centre with extensive experience in the cardiac rehabilitation field, and has served as the Medical Advisor of the Wellness Institute for several years. Dr. Lerner has built a reputation for progressive leadership in the medical community with current appointments at the following hospitals:

> Misericordia Health Centre

> Seven Oaks General Hospital

> St. Boniface Hospital

He is a member of the WRHA Standards Committee and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Winnipeg branch. Dr. Lerner’s work at the Wellness Institute and Reh-Fit Centre will be critical to the advancement of cardiac rehabilitation programming.

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Welcome to our new Medical Advisor

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Reh-Fit MAgAzINE 2010 6

At the Reh-Fit Centre, we’re committed to creating a healthier, more active community. Beyond our membership, we reach into the community to participate in health initiatives and provide educational programs.

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>> This past year the Reh-Fit Centre offered 249 programs which were available to the community and nearly 4200 members.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

For the thousands of Manitobans who are living with heart disease, the focus is on reducing or eliminating risk factors. For over 30 years, the Reh-Fit’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program has helped individuals with cardiac disease acquire the skills and confidence they need for self-management through a four-month program of exercise and education.

Participants work with a team of professionals to learn how to reduce their risk factors for heart disease, become fitter, and improve their quality of life in a supportive environment. The program offers an excellent opportunity for a continuum of care from hospital to community as the program deliverers can monitor, educate, and reinforce the medical advice the participants received upon discharge.

Rural participants are also accommodated through a mini program. More than 500 individuals with heart disease go through the Reh-Fit’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program every year.

Participants pay only a modest fee, with nearly all the cost covered by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Some extended health insurance plans cover all or part

of the fee. No candidates for the program are turned away due to lack of funds as program subsidies are available to those in need.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation program consists of alliances between the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Wellness Institute, and the WRHA Clinical Health Psychology Program working with all the hospitals to augment care.

Smart for Your Heart

Reh-Fit celebrates heart month with a variety of educational opportunities to help improve heart health! Throughout February we host a variety of sessions such as: Peripheral Arterial Disease – Know your Risks, Motivation and Medication, Women and Heart Health: An Amazing Race. We also host clinics such as peripheral arterial disease screening and blood pressure checks.

A new popular event hosted by the Reh-Fit Centre is the Heart Health Workshop. This event is geared for those who have experienced a cardiac event but have still not made the decision to take part in cardiac rehabilitation. There is a team of experts who, in an informal group setting, will answer questions and give basic information on how to get back to normal activities.

Healthier Weigh

Rates of obesity have risen dramatically over the last decade with 23% of Canadian adults considered obese. For most, lifestyle plays a key role in their weight management. The Healthier Weigh Program helps participants return their weight to a healthy range.

It is designed for those whose health is compromised by being significantly overweight. This is defined by the World Health Organization as having a Body Mass Index of 30 or greater. The program is delivered by professional staff, including a registered dietitian, fitness professional, and fitness specialists such as instructors in Yoga and Pilates.

Healthier Weigh began its first session in January 2007. The program is a tremendous success. About 61% met their program goals of losing weight and regularly exercising.

Healthy Living Awards

The Healthy Living Awards is an annual event that promotes community health by celebrating those who have made a difference in encouraging healthy, active living across Manitoba. Since 1999, the event has recognized the

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All Are WeLCOMeApproximately 4,200 members and thousands of non-members access the Reh-Fit Centre – a unique and innovative health and fitness facility. The membership base is diverse, with a wide range of health and mobility issues ranging from those that are active and fit to those with disabilities and health-related issues.

Community health education seminars are offered on a regular basis to members and the community at large.

The Reh-Fit Centre’s innovative design has attracted interest from many groups including those with disabilities. The Centre won the Winnipeg Accessibility Award for its leadership in application of universal design in 2006. In addition to this award, the Centre received a Smart Award in 2006 for its recent expansion and renovation, which has given the City a state-of-the-art facility and enhanced the Reh-Fit’s ability to deliver on its commitment to support the wellbeing of the citizens of Manitoba.

In 2007, the Reh-Fit received a certificate of recognition from the Manitoba Council on Aging for its outstanding contributions towards seniors.

Our Member Buddy system allows members and users to bring in a support person if they require assistance while at the Centre. The support person is at the Centre for the sole purpose of helping the member or user and there is no fee for the support person.

The Reh-Fit strives to make membership accessible to all. Rates and fees are comparable to health and fitness centres in the marketplace. Financial assistance will be provided based on individual need and the availability of funds.

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contributions of 49 Manitoba individuals, businesses, corporations, associations, or organizations who have contributed to healthy living across the province. It has raised close to $400,000 to help provide financial sustainability for the Centre since its inception.

The 12th annual event will be held on April 15, 2010 at The Fairmont Winnipeg featuring keynote speaker Dr. George Zhanel, Professor, Dept. of Medical Microbiology/Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. The topic of his presentation will be Germs: Can’t Live With Them, Can’t Live Without Them which is a timely topic considering the recent H1N1 pandemic.

Walk of Life & Health Fair

The Annual Walk of Life & Health Fair enhances awareness of heart disease and raises funds in support of the Reh-Fit’s cardiac rehabilitation services. Promoted under the slogan “Take Your Heart for a Walk,” the event gives members, friends and corporate teams the opportunity to raise pledges and a chance to get some exercise on a walk or run around the Centre’s beautiful six-lane track. Walkers enjoy live entertainment, food, door prizes, and prize packages for top fundraisers.

After walking, guests are invited to visit an on-site Health Fair where more than 29 health and wellness experts dispense advice and guidance and offer a range of services, including blood pressure checks, computerized spinal scans, foot assessments, and free upper body massages.

The event is part of a national series of walks organized by the Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada and hosted by more than 35 cardiac rehabilitation programs. The 6th annual event will be held from October 12-16, 2010 at the Reh-Fit Centre.

Annual Lecture

In 2005, the St. Boniface Hospital and the Reh-Fit Centre created a strategic partnership to expand appropriate patient education and public health promotion materials. One of our ventures is the joint hosting of an annual lecture managed by our respective foundations. Every fall, this educational session is hosted at the Reh-Fit to inform donors, members, and key stakeholders on new and exciting initiatives in health care in our province.

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Bret OlsonMemberWith an active lifestyle and a demanding job as the general manager of a popular restaurant, Bret Olson has always been committed to fitness. But, finding the right facility took a bit of time.

Bret recalls, “I had been to a couple of other gyms before and hadn’t always been impressed. The Reh-Fit is a clean gym with good equipment, a nice locker room and the steam room is a big selling point for me.

It just seems like it’s well-run, compared to some of the others.”

Now, Bret’s been a member for 18 months and visits the Centre three or four times a week. “My job offers a lot of flexibility, so I’ll get away to the Reh-Fit in the afternoon or wake up early and go before work. I usually run for about a half hour and then do the weights for another hour or play badminton.”

For Bret, working out has always been a part of his life and the reasons for continuing are clear. Says Bret, “When I don’t go, I just don’t feel as good – my energy and attitude change. I feel a lot better and more motivated in all areas of my life when I work out.”

Bret Olson

Reh-MaRkabLe STOrIeS

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Members at the Reh-Fit Centre have discovered the advantages of a healthy active lifestyle, and share their inspiring stories on how and why they’re committed to incorporating exercise into their lives.

Olive and Dave Dzogan MembersDave Dzogan had a massive heart attack when he was only 45 years old. As an active husband, father and college instructor living in Brandon, the heart attack was a shock.

He enrolled in a program at a local health facility and began a walking regime. By the time he moved to Winnipeg in 1992, he had walked 1400 miles.

Some thirty-three years later, Dave and his wife Olive retired and moved to Winnipeg where they immediately joined the Reh-Fit Centre and enrolled in the Cardiac Rehab program. Says Olive, who works out alongside Dave, “This is an excellent place to do your exercise – there’s a terrific track, lots of equipment and the staff is great.”

One of the benefits of their membership and participation in the program has been the friends they’ve made along the way. Dave says, “We took the class

on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and once it was over, we continued to meet up with the same people.“

But despite his best efforts, Dave’s heart condition resulted in a quintuple bypass surgery in 2000. He began to rebuild his strength by enrolling in the Cardiac Rehab program a second time. Olive and Dave continued to visit the Reh-Fit, but in 2008, Dave suffered a stroke while he was walking the track.

Now Dave and Olive are back at the Reh-Fit Centre and participate in the Chair Stretch and Strength class – a program designed for people with mobility and other health issues. Both agree that the class is excellent. Says Olive, “I just feel like a kid again – it’s more like play time. We take the class and have a lot of laughs joking around with the instructor and the other members.”

Dave is making progress in his recovery and has now logged more than 8,000 miles on the Reh-Fit track. Olive adds, “He’s like the ‘Energizer Bunny’ – he just keeps going.”

Ron and Celene BlakeMembersMarried for over 50 years, Ron and Celene Blake have always been active. More than 35 years ago they began working out together and their dedication to healthy living shows in their continued energy and good health.

Says Ron, “This has been our lifestyle forever and our children were brought up in sports. We’d have dinner and then go cycling or walking.”

Now as members of the Reh-Fit Centre, the Blakes work out five days a week for two or more hours per day and find it easy to stay motivated. Adds Ron, “Set yourself a program that you can live with and enjoy. Before I walk through the door, I know what I’m going to do and what my goals are. Having goals keeps you going.”

For Celene, part of the appeal of the Reh-Fit is the friendships they’ve made. “We’ve made a lot of friends. If you talk to someone while you’re working out it keeps your mind off of it and goes by quickly.”

Both Blakes are in excellent health and are fans of the Reh-Fit Centre. “The Centre is aesthetically beautiful and it’s just first class!”Bret Olson

Olive and Dave Dzogan Ron and Celene Blake

Reh-MaRkabLe STOrIeS

futuRePlanning for the

The Reh-Fit Centre is taking a proactive approach to strengthening its financial position. By raising additional funds now, the Centre will be able to maintain and expand its programming and renew its facility and equipment on an ongoing basis.

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Programs> Adding leading-edge health and fitness programs for members and the community at large. More education, training, and assistance is required for the growing number of people within the community challenged with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, and other health concerns.

> Supporting research to assess the effectiveness of our health and fitness programs in building community health. The Centre wants to ensure that dollars are well spent and deliver the best possible outcomes for the community.

Equipment> Adding equipment to keep pace with the latest developments in health and fitness technology.

> Repairing and replacing medical and exercise equipment as it ages. The average life span of our equipment is between three and five years and the cost of equipment is significant. For example, the cost of replacing a treadmill is $10,000 and a medical testing treadmill and monitor is $48,000.

Facility> The facility is at the core of the Reh-Fit Centre’s ability to deliver programs and services. There is a commitment to maintaining the quality of the building by following optimal maintenance and replacement schedules.

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The Centre seeks to maintain its “gold standard” for the current and future benefit of members and the community at large. Based on 15-year projections, $700,000 is needed annually to support the stellar quality of the facility and to continually update and upgrade programs and equipment. Membership fees cover the day-to-day costs and a portion of the capital costs. However, there is a shortfall related to the Reh-Fit’s long-term requirements.

The Reh-Fit’s annual giving program is now in its third year, having followed in the steps of the capital campaign that made the current facility possible. Over $200,000 was generated from donations and grants in 2008/09, for which the Reh-Fit is most grateful. However, this needs to be accelerated to close the gap between that amount and what is needed over the long-term.

We have created another opportunity for individuals to demonstrate

A legAcy ThAT BenefITS

Community health

The Reh-Fit’s vision is to be the best health and fitness centre in Canada in building the health of the community, for optimum quality of life. Excellence in programs, services, and organizational functioning are its foundational pillars.

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their support through the Reh-Fit Foundation’s newly formed Legacy Society. Society members are donors who have made a commitment to the Reh-Fit’s future as part of their own legacy – including the Reh-Fit in their estate plans. This could be, for example, by way of a bequest in a will or a gift of a life insurance policy. Legacy Society members want to ensure the Reh-Fit’s continued value to our community, making a difference in the lives of people every day.

The Reh-Fit Legacy Society recognizes and honours those individuals whose estate gifts will provide support for the Reh-Fit’s mission and vision. Estate gifts, which can be of any amount, are received after a donor’s lifetime, while membership in the Legacy Society ensures the Reh-Fit’s continued value to our community.

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David Horne – President

Elaine Toms – Past President

Ken Lee – Vice-President

Gordon Greaves – Treasurer

Bill Emslie – Secretary

Kavita Bajaj

Stu Charles

Jim Hale

Judy Holden

Albert Krahn

Jo Magnifico

Dr. Bruce Roe

Dan Torbiak

The Reh-Fit is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to enhance the health and well-being of its members and the community by providing innovative health and fitness services through assessment, education, and exercise in a supportive environment.

Reh-Fit Foundation2009/10 Board of Directors

Brett MacKinnon – Chair

Audrey Vandewater – Vice-Chair

Jim Grant – Treasurer

Virginia Snyder – Secretary

Kris Benidickson

Sue Boreskie

Tom Dooley

David Horne

Bob McMullin

Joan Miles

Mike Sampson

Elaine Toms

The Reh-Fit Foundation provides financial sustainability for the Reh-Fit Centre in the furtherance of its aims, goals, and objectives.

Reh-Fit Centre2009/10 Board of DirectorsPRoTECTINg

ouR CLients

The Centre closely follows public health advice to minimize the spread of germs in our facility. This year we had the challenge of h1n1 and its potential effect on the day-to-day operation of the Centre.

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A new gym Wipe system in the field house and revised shift responsibilities for the Building services Associates ensure all areas of the building are being attended to properly and in a timely manner.

hand sanitizers have been placed around the Centre for members and staff.

Educational signs have been placed in key locations on proper hand-washing techniques and coughing and sneezing etiquette.

Antibacterial wipes are available in all staff areas to be used on a regular basis to clean phone handles and keyboards.

information in the member newsletter has been provided on how to take proper care during the flu season.

The following has been put into place at the Centre to help reduce the spread of germs:

A legAcy ThAT BenefITS

Community health

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Reh-Fit MAgAzINE 2010 14

1390 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 3V8Phone 204.488.8023

www.reh-fit.com

VisionTo be the best health and fitness centre in Canada

in building the health of the community, for optimum

quality of life.

MissionThe Reh-Fit Centre is a not-for-profit organization with

a mission to enhance the health and well-being of its members

and the community by providing innovative health and fitness

services through assessment, education, and exercise

in a supportive environment.