March Newsletter 2023
Welcome to March at the OAC. Things are busy all over the club, with an intense winter and more still to come, the club is a great way to escape the storm and keep focused on your fitness goals and enjoy some active recreation with your family. Between our fitness offerings, swimming, tennis, and our new pickleball courts, we have your fitness and recreation needs covered!
In February we asked you to vote for the employee and members who make you smile, are always friendly, cheer you on, and make your day. The results are in. Thank you for participating and sharing your love!
Kim Williams was, by an overwhelming margin, voted the most loved employee at the OAC! Kim works at the reception desk in our OAC Kids Club. She is loved by the parents, the kids, and other staff members alike. She makes the club an enjoyable place with her big smile, helpful check-in to get parents on their way, and the way she effortlessly makes the kids feel at home. With six boys of her own, Kim has a lot of practice with juggling kids, and we appreciate her skill! When Kim is not corralling the herds, she enjoys being crafty, reading, and baking. When asked what she loves about the OAC she said, "I love working in the Kids Club because I work with the best people, and I love the cute kiddos and their families." Thanks, Kim for making the OAC a happy place to be!
Janet, pictured above with her husband, Dennis, is a regular in the group fitness classes and has been for years. Every instructor appreciates her for her smile and encouragement during class, her consistency (she rarely misses her regular schedule), and her counting. We always have an accurate head count when Janet's around. Thanks, Janet, for being a sunny spot in every class you attend!
Originally from Michigan, Janet has lived in Utah most of her life. She worked for many years at the Bank of Utah, Thiokol, Big Sky Conference, and Weber State University and retired just last year. Her favorite interests are family, dogs, friends, reading, and golf.
She shared, "Being an OAC member since 1989 I have met so many terrific people who have turned into lifetime friends, golf, and workout buddies. I enjoy talking with pretty much everyone, making connections, (we are all only 6 degrees away from Kevin Bacon), and hearing their story. The Club makes that easy. The supportive and knowledgeable teachers and staff have made going to the Club a permanent habit for me." When not at the club, you can catch Janet out walking with her darling shih tzu, Jasmine (in a pink parka), in all kinds of weather.
Rielee (Pictured above with her husband, Karl) is a kind, smiley person with two darling children. She is loved by everyone who meets her and especially loved by the childcare staff. "She is just one of those people that you look forward to seeing," one staff member remarked. Her sweet kids are also a bright spot in the childcare.
Rielee is from West Point. She is a homebody but loves to travel. She shared, "OAC is my favorite because my kids love it! It's a great family place 🖤!" Riley's children love the Kids Club because of the fun activities, friends to play with, and the "teachers" that make them feel special and loved every day.
John and Betty are like two peas in a pod, if you know one, you know the other. They are a wonderful, kind couple who make it a point to learn about everyone they run into at the gym and create real and lasting relationships. You can't leave their presence without a smile on your face. Both are long-time residents of Ogden and have been members of OAC since the 1980s.
They shared, "During our time [at the OAC], we have spent many hours playing tennis, socializing, and a little time working out. We have met many nice people (young and old) and developed good friendships. We look forward to going to OAC and seeing the smiling faces of other members and staff. It is a great way to start the day!"
Thanks, John and Betty for being great members and great friends to all you meet!
(Pictured Left to Right: Spencer Wicker, Cory Capetanov, Leon Gardner, Joseph Nielson)
Leon was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at age 27. For the next 40 years, his vision slowly closed in on him. By age 67 he was officially, fully blind. During these years he was a pharmacist by trade and he hadn't touched a weight in a gym. At age 69, Leon met Joseph Nielson at the Ogden Athletic Club and Joseph introduced Leon to the powerlifting disciplines, which are Bench Press, Squat, and Deadlift. On March 4, 2023, at age 76, Leon set 4 national records in his age and weight class: 226 lb bench press, 254 lb squat, and 342 lb deadlift. 76-year-old and legally blind, Leon shows up to the Club consistently every week, ready to work. Not just to stay fit, but to train, to compete, to make history, and to do what others don't believe possible.
Spencer Wicker wrote, "What I love most about Leon is his inner will to accomplish greatness. I am amazed at his desire to reach his goals. He has memorized the gym layout and can train on his own. Because of these great traits, he has attracted the strong youth of the gym to help him reach his goals. I often think about how I would handle going blind, and I've concluded I wouldn't be as great as Leon."
His friend and Power Lifting co-heart, Joseph Nielson shared, "Sometimes I hear excuses in the weight room…I'm not young anymore…I'm afraid to get hurt…I can't…" He continued, "Somewhere there is a [76-year-old] putting in the work and getting stronger in spite of his list of very valid excuses." And his moral of the story? "Be like Leon."
Become friends with Leon and he'll hear you coming a mile away. He'll start in on the jokes and leave you not only with a smile on your face but with a desire to put all excuses aside and become something greater than you thought you could be. Thank you, Leon, for inspiring us every day!
We love and appreciate all our members. It is you that makes the Ogden Athletic Club feel like a home away from home and an inspiring and friendly place to get fit. Thank you for making the OAC great!
This month the OAC was also recognized as the "most loved" Private Health and Fitness Club in South Ogden. Winning for the 5th year, South Ogden's Best of 2023 for Private Health and Fitness Club and Group Fitness Instructors and Personal Trainers. Thank you to our wonderful staff for their dedication and commitment.
4300' YOUTH STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
The next 4300 youth session of 2023 starts Tuesday, March 14. This class combines functional movements, speed and agility, conditioning, and weight training to provide the perfect base to elevate your kids to their fullest potential!
6 Weeks: March 14 - April 20
Tuesday & Thursday - 4-5 pm
$85 for OAC members
**Ages 8-12yrs only
4300' YOUTH WEIGHTLIFTING
Youth weightlifting and strength training has been shown to reduce the risk of injury, improve joint flexibility, core strength, and improve sports performance. Our 4300 Youth Weightlifting class is the best way to create a great foundation for the future, build strength, build confidence, and build resilience in youth athletes. The next youth weightlifting session starts Monday, March 13!
6 Weeks: March 13 - April 19
Monday & Wednesday – 5:30 pm
$85 for OAC members
**Ages 13 and older only!
*Signups for both 4300 Youth Weightlifting and 4300 Youth Strength & Conditioning need to be done by Sunday, March 12! Spots are limited, so contact Krystykka at [email protected] to reserve your kid's spot today!
This class is designed for women of all ages with no experience or years of experience! Ladies Who Lift is here to help women build confidence. This class will help you focus on what your body can do, not just what your body looks like. We will help you create a foundation of strength that will support your goals both inside and outside of the gym. The next session will start Monday, March 13.
6 Weeks: March 13 - April 19
Monday & Wednesday – 10 AM
$85 for OAC members
We are now two months into 2023... how are your goals coming so far? It can be easy to get started on your New Year's resolutions and changes, but not so easy to stick with the changes. Having an expert in the industry to help guide, motivate, and hold you accountable is one of the sure ways to make sure you can keep your progress going after the excitement of the new year has worn off. Elevated Nutrition is here to help you create lasting habits and change. If you are interested, contact Krystykka at [email protected] to set up your free nutrition consultation to see how Elevated Nutrition can help you! You can also follow along with her on Instagram @krystykkaa for nutrition tips, recipe ideas, and workouts!
Here are what a few of her nutrition clients have said about working with Krystykka:
"Working one on one with Krystykka on my personal nutrition needs has helped me so much in reaching my goals, I'm no longer struggling with not knowing what it is I really need."
"Krystykka is amazing and an incredible support system! I have been to several nutritionists throughout my lifetime and Krystykka is the best I've ever worked with!"
"Krystykka knows her stuff and made a change happen for me that hasn't happened in four years of my fitness journey. I'll recommend everyone I know to her."
"I am less sore after workouts and I feel more confident about my ability to eat good food. I have also lost a few pounds and inches."
St. Patrick's Day is on the 17th, we invite everyone to wear green. Get creative! Wear pins, necklaces, headbands, leg warmers…the sky is the limit! The kids will be playing hide and seek with play coins and the kids will get a special gold treat as they leave! We will have St. Patrick's Day crafts each week throughout March.
March 21st is down syndrome awareness day! Did you know that when you look at the DNA of a person who has down syndrome it looks like a mismatched socks? So we invite everyone to wear mismatched socks on March 21st!
Want to work in a happy and healthy place? We are hiring for the following positions: Lifeguards | Housekeeping | Childcare | Recreation Center Attendant. If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact our General Manager, Jan Carlsen at [email protected], grab an application from the front desk, or download it from our website: /public/careers-job-application
WINTER JUNIOR LOUNGE AND KIDS CLUB HOURS
Junior Lounge and Kids Club hours are as follows:
KIDS CLUB HOURS
Mon/Wed: 9:00 AM – NOON & 4:30-7:30 PMTues/Thurs: 8:30 AM – NOON & 4:30-7:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – NOON
Saturday: 8:30 AM – NOON
JUNIOR LOUNGE HOURS
Mon – Fri: 3:30 - 8:30 PM
Sat: 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
CALENDAR
MARCH
16TH | KIDS LUCKY BINGO PARTY – 5:00-6:00 PM
17TH | HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY – WEAR GREEN
KIDS CLUB GOLD HUNT ACTIVITY (THROUGHOUT THE DAY)
21ST | DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY – WEAR MISMATCHED SOCKS
MEMBERSHIP CHANGES
We accept and process all changes to your membership through email. Please send your requests to [email protected]. Simply write an email to us with the changes you would like to make to your account.
