Welcome
Staff News
Natalie has now completed her First Aid & Pool Attendant courses, which she really enjoyed. She has settled in well and would like to say a big ‘THANK YOU’ for making her feel so welcome here at Spirit Stoke.
Easter Raffle/Appeal
Thank you to everyone who donated Easter Eggs and/or took part in our Easter raffle. We collected 20 eggs which went to The Donna Louise Trust and we raised a total of £26 from our raffle which goes towards our hotel charity ‘Shelter in a Storm’ helping those who have had houses & towns ripped apart from natural and manmade disasters.
Olympic Torch Relay
This month the Olympic Torch will begin its rounds across the UK ready for the games to begin in July. The torch will be in Stoke-on-Trent on 30th May at Hanley Park. Go along and get involved in a bit of history as there are celebrations planned.
May Day – Monday 7th
Don’t forget we are still open during the Bank Holiday Monday on 7th May but we do open later and close at an earlier time.
8am – 9pm Last Entry 8.15pm.
World Asthma Day 1st May 2012
On 1st May 2012, it is ‘World Asthma Day’, which is an excellent opportunity to help improve asthma awareness and offer help and support to those who suffer with the condition.
Throughout the UK, 5.4 million people both young and old, are affected by asthma in some form. It is a condition that affects the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. They often have asthma triggers, for example pollen, which irritates the airways. This causes the muscles around the airways to tighten, the airways become narrower and quite often start to swell. These symptoms then cause difficulty in breathing and therefore lead to asthma.
There are many different causes for asthma, and it can be different for each individual, but common causes include family history or allergies.
Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breathe, and tightness of the chest. Some asthma attacks may be mild, while others are much more severe.
Asthma triggers may also be present within the gym environment, so it is important to let us know if you suffer with asthma, especially if your asthma triggers are on the list below.
- Air-conditioning
- Work place substances - e.g. chemicals
- Pollen
- Exercise
Exercise is the most related trigger to our environment at the gym; however exercise is good for everyone, including those with asthma. Follow the easy steps listed below to ensure you get the most out of your exercise, even whilst living with asthma.
- Always do an extended warm up before you exercise, gradually building up the pace.
- If exercise is one of your asthma triggers, always ensure you have your reliever inhaler to use, should an asthma attack occur
- If, whilst exercising, you have symptoms of asthma, stop, use your inhaler and wait 5 minutes before starting exercise again
- Always make sure you cool down after exercising, once again with an extended gradual pace.
If you have any questions relating to using the gym or swimming pool as an asthma sufferer, then please speak to a member of the team or visit www.asthma.org.uk
New Gym Equipment
In the next couple of months you will see some changes in the gym equipment here at the Health Club; more money is being invested into the club so we are able to provide you with new equipment. We will be having a new cross trainer and 2 new treadmills so all our kit will be the new grey Life Fitness models. Thank You for your continued membership and we hope you enjoy the new equipment.
Exercise of the month – Compound
Compound exercises are where more than one muscle group is used at once. These type of exercises are excellent for weight loss, muscle gains and are a perfect exercise for Ectomorprh body types (tall and slim).
Compound exercises are also good time savers due to the amount of muscles they hit.
One of the best compound exercises for putting on muscle is the dead lift. This classic compound exercise hits pretty much every muscle in the body, and if done correctly helps you lift more weight to flood the body with growth hormones. There are slight tweaks you can put on this exercise that will help to target different areas more specifically such as the hamstrings (bicep Femoris), thighs (quadriceps) or the inner thighs and glutes (gluteus maximus & adductor magnus).
Another excellent compound exercise is the squat which has similar effects as the deadlift, but the muscles used are mostly lower body ones.
And ladies don’t feel like these are not for you, as the more toned your muscles are, the more efficient your body is at burning fat.
If you would like any further advice on these exercises then please see a member of staff for more .
Sally-Anne Beauty Therapy
Sally is on holiday from the 5th May and is back in on Wednesday 16th May. To book in for an appointment, give Sally a call or a text on 07739415872 after the 15th May. Sally is available for appointments that week on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday.
Sally is a local beauty therapist, who has over 30 years experience in the industry. She offers over 200 ‘Minx’ nail varnish styles as well as top products for facials.
Sally also offers very competitive local prices.
To book an appointment, please contact Sally on the number above, or take a brochure from reception.
Swimming Lessons
Swimming Lessons are back and Cath will be taking the group lessons in our pool on Tuesday & Wednesday’s 4pm-5.30pm and Saturdays 11.15-12.15pm. To book yourself or your child in for lessons please contact Cath on 07581 178 270.
Top 10 Gym Attendees
Male – Dave Hall is in 1st place for April with 23 days attendance. In 2nd place with 20 days attendance is Rob Tabbanor and Jonathan Wood is in 3rd place with 19 days attendance.
Female – Angela Storey is in 1st place this month with 16 days attendance throughout April. In 2nd place with 14 days attendance is Heather Sieber and in 3rd place with 13 days attendance is Gwynne Weston.
Top Ten Swimmers
Top of the board this month is Theresa Topping with 1300 lengths swam during April. Viv Baker Evans is in 2nd place with 1000 lengths and in 3rd place with 970 lengths is Sue Booth. Ladies you are dominating the swimming pool again this month, come on men, get some lengths swam.
Special Offers for Spirit Members
Keep your eye out on the notice boards around the club as there is a special offer for ‘Alton Towers’ that you can take advantage of.
Plus a great 10% discount at the ‘Nike’ store at Free Port, Talke which is a special offer for Spirit health Club Stoke members only. You just need to take your membership card as proof of id…go on Just Do It!