Can a single card provide access to four weight rooms serving all corners of Saanich, an array of equipment to choose from no matter your current level of fitness, and a friendly, knowledgeable team to get you started?
It can if that card is a Saanich Access Pass!
“One of the great features of the Access Pass is it gives you access to all four Saanich recreation centres,” notes Careena Elford, a Health & Wellness programmer with Saanich Parks & Recreation. “No matter where you are in Saanich, you can find a centre and a weight room near you.”
A great mix of equipment: From Cedar Hill and G.R. Pearkes to Gordon Head and Saanich Commonwealth Place, each Saanich weight room has its own feel and some unique equipment, but consistencies across the board include a mix of cardio equipment, strength training machines and free weights. Depending on where you work out, you can also pair it with a swim, hot tub or sauna – also covered by your pass – or maybe a walk around an adjacent park or golf course.
Accessible hours: Facilities typically open from early morning until about 10 p.m. (some close earlier on weekends), a flexibility busy users appreciate. “That’s a lot of hours if you’re trying to fit in a workout,” Elford notes. (Even better if you can work in a run or strength training circuit while the kids are in early morning hockey practice or afterschool swim lessons!)
Welcoming atmosphere: Welcoming users of all ages and fitness levels, that community vibe appeals to many. Varied equipment means there’s an entry point for everyone, from recumbent bikes for someone just starting out to more challenging elliptical machines when you’re ready for more. “You walk in and feel like you fit in,” Elford says, noting it’s partly the weight room atmosphere itself, and partly because the centres host so many other activities. “There’s just a different feeling when so much else is going on – people feel really comfortable here.”
Get oriented: If it’s been a few years since you’ve been to a gym, a brief orientation with a weight room attendant can help get you started. Orientations are just $15 – free for teens age 13 to 15 – and can be booked at any centre. Drop-in circuit classes are also included in your Access Pass and can help you establish a routine to continue on your own time. You can even keep your workout log at the centre, letting you track your workouts and your progress.
Get your card today!
Your Saanich Access Pass offers 31 different drop-in activities weekly at four centres, including fitness classes, sports, public swims and skates. Check out the activity calendars online, then buy your pass online or at any Saanich recreation centre. There’s a good selection of affordable pass types to choose from, with something for every budget, including a monthly payment plan for some passes. Learn more at saanich.ca/recreation