PG Fitness On The Go is HERE

 Yes, our facilities are still closed, but you can access us anytime with our PG Fitness On The Go virtual platform that has lots of your favorite workouts from the last few months, plus one workouts added every week. For more information, go to www.pulsegenerator.ca

PLEASE NOTE - SEPTEMBER 1st

We will be transitioning from posting on our Blog and Facebook. As on September 1st, we will be going LIVE with our Virtual Platform via Mind Body Online.

All information will be available on our website - www.pulsegenerator.ca

If you enjoyed our videos here for the last few months, you will love our virtual platform. It will consist of lots of your favorite workout videos plus new ones will be added weekly. We will also be hosting some LIVESTREAMS as well as pre-registered LIVESTREAM classes.

Any questions or concerns, please email pulsegen@ahs.ca  

Thanks!

Online Personal Training is AVAILABLE

Staff Introduction (Matt)

Pulse Generator Staff Introduction Interview: Matt Thomas (Calgary Area Team Lead)

How long have you been working with Pulse Generator?
I have been with the Pulse for 3ish years now and have been a part of the incredible growth that PG has seen over that time. When I started we had 600 members in Calgary and thanks to the whole PG team, we are now upwards of 1400 members across 6 sites.

What is your role while the fitness facilities are closed?
In addition to some regular duties, my role (working with Breanne) is to keep the membership socially engaged and provide our members with an outlet for social connection. I will be posting a number of fitness challenges and will be hosting a Friday night zoom happy hour every Friday at 6pm (https://albertahealthservices.zoom.us/j/370501328 )

What do you do to keep things fresh during the quarantine?

I have been trying to do one "new" thing per day! For example; making a new recipe, working on new woodworking projects, and tuning in to our teams' great workouts :)
“I’m ever-changing and always evolving, always trying new things.” –Thomas Rhett

What is your favourite part of the job?
My favourite part of the job is a two way tie between interacting with our members and working with our amazing PG team. I know it is cliché in sports to talk more about the team… however, our team is amazing both in terms of health, wellness, and fitness knowledge as well as truly caring for our members. Each team member brings a different skill set and expertise to compliment the team.

What education or certification do you have?
I have a graduate degree in kinesiology from the University of Lethbridge, focusing on physical literacy and I am a CFT through the AFLCA (personal training certification). Currently, I am using some of my extra time to work on a nutrition certification to diversify my skills.

What do you like to do for fun?
Good question.. I really enjoy being active outdoors (biking, hiking, fishing, dog walking) and enjoy spending time with my fiancé (Kara) with our 3 fur babies (Kobe, Lebron and Irving).

What is an interesting fact about you?
A couple interesting facts about me would be:
I was rated as a top 100 U16 prospect for basketball Canada in my youth.
I ran a 17:15 5km and came 3rd … still a bit chapped about that :P
I enjoy craft beer, the stoutier the better
I play bass guitar and enjoy reading journal articles to always keep learning!

Staff Introduction (Kevin)

Staff Introduction (Regan)

Staff Introduction (Breanne)

Staff Introductions (Mary & Kelsey)

Turkish Get Up - Finale

This post includes the complete Turkish Get Up with a Kettlebell as well as a hip prep sequence to help the middle portion of the get up.

Turkish Get Up - Finale from Breanne Martiniuk on Vimeo.

Half Turkish Get Up (Week #2)

Half Turkish Get Up (Week #2)

Today's video includes a demonstration of a Half Turkish Get Up, plus 3 new exercises to help with the execution of a TGU.

 

Exercise #1 - Alternating Hip Flexor Stretch
Exercise #2 - Side Plank (3 variations)
Exercise #3 - Prisoner Get Up (remember to switch lead legs)
Perform each exercise for 30 seconds and then Rest, and Repeat 2-3 times.

 

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/397212230

 

Turkish Get Up...The Ultimate Full body Exercise!

Welcome March!

In March, I (Breanne, Health & Fitness Specialist from Edmonton) will be demonstrating the Turkish Get Up (TGU), introducing some exercises to prepare for the Turkish Get Up, and show some variations of the TGU.

Today's video includes a demonstration of a Turkish Get Up, plus 3 exercises to help with the execution of a TGU.

Exercise #1 - Hip Opener (Mobility)
Exercise #2 - Reverse Lunge with Overhead Arm
Exercise #3 - Bridge (with Variations)
Perform each exercise for 30 seconds and then Rest, and Repeat 2-3 times.

Enjoy the Cooper cameo!

https://vimeo.com/394680155

Get Outside the Gym

Nutrition...What you should know about changes to Canada's food labels.

Health Canada's Healthy Eating Strategy…
Improving Healthy Eating Information
Guest Blog by:  Selena Chow Erskine, B.Sc. R.D.
Clinical Dietitian & Pulse Generator Member

Eating healthy is something we all strive to achieve as part of a healthy lifestyle.  Reading food labels to learn about the foods you put food into your grocery cart can help you stay in line with your healthy eating goals. If you are on a special diet to prevent or manage a specific condition such as diabetes or heart disease, reading food labels and knowing what you are purchasing is also very important.

There is a wealth of information to be found on a nutrition label.  Calories, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar are key pieces of information found on the nutrition facts table. Knowing the amounts of these in a particular food item can help you focus on nutrients you would like to or need to get more or less of.  Being diligent and checking the ingredients list will help you avoid foods that contain additives or other ingredients that you may be interested in avoiding.

The nutrition information found on food packaging has been historically inconsistent and unrealistic (who eats 1/3 cup of cereal??) making it difficult for you as consumer to make sound food choices without constantly having to do a lot of math while shopping. Health Canada is striving to improve the food environment in Canada, making it easier for individuals to make healthier choices.  As part of Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy, new regulations on food labeling were established in 2016.  This will change the way the nutrition facts table and the list of ingredients appear on food packaging.  Some of these changes have already started to appear, but food manufacturers will have 5 years in which to complete these changes.  By 2021 the information you see on all food labels should be easier to find, read, decipher, compare similar products and understand.  Here are the differences that you will be seeing on your food labels in the near future.

Summary of Changes to the Nutrition Facts Table:

•    Removal of Vitamin A and C since most Canadians get enough of these nutrients in their diets

•    Serving sizes reflect a realistic serving size that Canadians typically eat in one sitting

•    Information on serving size and calories made easier to find and read

•    Milligram amounts included for potassium, calcium and iron to make it easier to quantify the amount consumers are getting

•    Updated % daily values based on current science

•    Addition of % daily value for total sugars along  with an explanation of % daily value to help consumers understand what is “a little” or what is “a lot” when it comes to sugars and other nutrients

•    Addition of potassium for its importance in maintaining healthy blood pressure and because most Canadians are not getting enough of this nutrient

Summary of Changes to the List of Ingredients:

•    Grouping sugar-based ingredients together to help consumers identify all sources of sugars added to a food. After the name “sugars”, sugars-based ingredients are listed in brackets in descending order by weight)

•    Listing food colors by their individual common names

•    Minimum type height requirements using both upper/lower case letters in black font on white or neutral background and separating ingredients using bullets/commas to improve readability

•    Any "contains" statement indicating the presence or potential presence of priority food allergens, gluten source and/or added sulphites are subject to the same formatting requirements.

** Nutrition Facts diagram and ingredient list adapted from Health Canada