In Club Archives | MOVATI Athletic

Celebrate International Yoga Day with MOVATI: Find Your Perfect Yoga Fit

IN CLUB

June 21st marks International Yoga Day—a global celebration of mindfulness, movement, and balance. At MOVATI Athletic, we believe yoga is for everybody, every level, and every lifestyle. With a wide variety of yoga classes designed to meet different needs and goals, there’s never been a better time to explore how yoga can transform your wellness journey.

Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve flexibility, reduce stress, or simply take time to reconnect with yourself, MOVATI has a class for you. Here’s a look at the diverse yoga experiences you can discover in our studios:

Sweat & Surrender

A balanced blend of challenge and peace. The first-half of this class consists of dynamic yoga postures and movements to build strength and flexibility. The second-half is a calming surrender to gravity in the style of our Yin classes.

Meditation

Soothe the mind and the rest will follow. This class enables you to see more clearly through daily stresses and achieve a deeper sense of peace. From beginner to avid enthusiast, students of all levels will benefit from this enlightening experience.

Essentials

It all starts here. This class is aimed at those seeking an understanding of the basics. Here you’ll discover how to get the most from your yoga session. Learn about breathing, posture, inner peace and honouring your body.

Yin

A deeply healing, grounding practice where postures are held for extended periods of time. Students learn to lean into gravity to elicit decompression of connective tissue and release physical and energetic blockages. Taught in the heat the practice facilitates detoxifying and deep stretching, taught in a cooler room and the practice facilitates structural change. Beneficial for every shape, size, and level of activity from triathlete to newbie, first time to fierce Yogi.

Why Practice Yoga at MOVATI?

At MOVATI, our yoga studios are designed with comfort and calm in mind—think dim lighting, ambient music, and supportive instructors who meet you where you are. With a wide range of classes scheduled throughout the day, it’s easy to fit yoga into your lifestyle.

Try Something New This International Yoga Day

Use this day as an invitation to try a new class or return to an old favourite. Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or deepening an existing practice, MOVATI’s yoga offerings are here to support your goals—mind, body, and soul.

Namaste.

Story Credit: Kasia Kudzma, Yoga Lead

Join MOVATI Today and get Started with This Special Offer. Already a member? To customize programming and help you improve your training, consult with one of our Personal Trainers in club and complete your Game Plan Session or join seminars with one of our fitness professionals.

*MOVATI’s trainers and/or consultants are not health care providers, and do not provide any medical diagnosis, treatment or advice, and any trainer and/or consultant tips are not intended to replace the advice of a health care professional.

#LETSMOVECANADA – 2025 NATIONAL HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY!

FITNESS

Get out and get active to celebrate National Health and Fitness Day on Saturday, June 7^th at your local MOVATI Athletic club.

Jessica and Sydney from our Ottawa clubs are challenging you! Take part in their HIIT

Circuit 1: Upper Body

Directions: Complete the following circuit 4 times, resting 1 minute

Pullups

Reps: As many reps as possible in 30 seconds.

Jumping Jacks

Reps: 60 reps

Pushups

Reps: As many reps as possible in 30 seconds.

Dips

Reps: 8-12

Curls with Resistance Bands

Reps: 20

Circuit 2: Lower-Body

Directions: Complete the following circuit 4 times, resting 1 minute

Mountain Climb

Reps: 45

High Knees

Reps: 30 each knee

Squat Jumps

Reps: 45 sec.

Lunges

Reps: 20 each leg

Calf Raises

Reps: 50

Circuit 3: Abs

Directions: Complete the following circuit 4 times, resting 1 minute

Crunches

Reps: 25

Bicycle Crunches

Reps: 45 sec.

Sit-ups

Reps: 15

Hanging Knee Raises

Reps: 15

Oblique Crunches

Reps: 20 (each side)

Group Fitness challenge.

https://youtube.com/shorts/CFDyYbC0nnI?si=tRok5C0CqRmh9dbU

To learn more about these challenges, head over to our social media channels. Complete either one or if you are up for it why not conquer both? Share your experience on social media using the hashtag #MOVATIMovesCanada #LetsMoveCanada.

https://youtube.com/shorts/npBektW5iag?si=W6d-LcqKYAH4ZpI0

To learn more about National Health and Fitness Day, check out the Fitness Industry Council of Canada website: https://ficdn.ca/

Story Credit: Anthony Cozzetto, Social Media Specialist

MOVATI Integration – App & Website

FITNESS

As of May 12^th, the MOVATI website and App group fitness class booking systems have been integrated. Members who use the website to register for group fitness classes (typically through the Member section of the website) will now see their booked classes when they log into their MOVATI app.

What this means for Members:
- New login process for the MOVATI website Group Fitness Schedule (same login as the MOVATI App) to verify membership
  - Home Club
  - Barcode
  - Name
- MEMBERS MUST HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL EMAIL ADDRESS ON THEIR IGNITE MEMBERSHIP PROFILE IN ORDER TO SIGN IN SUCCESSFULLY!
- Ability to remember user on device for future logins

Story Credit: MOVATI Marketing Team

Start Strong, Start Confidently! Book Your Game Plan Session Today!

FITNESS

Whether you’re new to fitness or an experienced enthusiast, building a successful workout routine requires a thoughtful approach that considers your individual needs and goals.

At MOVATI we put our members first by providing them with a strong start to their fitness journey. As part of every membership, you’ll receive an annual complimentary Game Plan Session (GPS) session. Designed specifically for you to assess and track your health and wellness, you’ll work with a certified MOVATI fitness professional to design a personalized fitness plan to meet your needs and goals.

WHAT IS GPS?

Our Fitness Professionals combine data from your InBody and Movement Assessment with real-time lifestyle data to build a program that positively impacts all aspects of your life.

What’s Included

In Depth Goal Setting and Needs Analysis

Looking to create new fitness goals? Work with a MOVATI Certified Fitness Professional to get you on track.

Personalized Movement Education

Our Fitness Professionals take you through a Movement and Mobility assessment, backed by science, followed by corrective exercises tailored to you and your goals.

Comprehensive InBody Analysis

Start tracking your progress or set a fitness baseline with an InBody Analysis Sheet.

Personalized Road Map

Receive a customized exercise prescription plan to achieve your goals.

Access to MOVATI Personal Training App

360 degree support in all aspects of wellness including nutrition, mobility, strength training and endurance.

Story Credit: Milad Emadi Director, Performance Coaching

MOVATI Cares Donates $57,395 to Feed Ontario and Edmonton Foodbanks

IN CLUB

MOVATI Athletic is thrilled to announce the overwhelming success of Shake Days, a MOVATI Cares initiative which took place from April 7^th – 9^th, 2025. Thanks to our MOVATI community, we not only met but surpassed our donation goal by $20,000.00, raising a grand total of $57,395.00. Gruppo Nutrition, a proud partner and supplier of our café protein powder, has generously donated an additional $5000.00. The money raised during MOVATI Cares Shake Days and the 3,800 pounds of food collected during our MOVATI Cares food drive will provide over 125,000 meals collectively to Ontarians through Feed Ontario and Edmontonians through Edmonton Food Banks.

“The success of our second annual Shake Day program is a testament to the power of our MOVATI community”, said MOVATI Athletic President and CEO Chuck Kelly. “Thank you to our Club Members, Team Members and Partners in helping us, once again, surpass our goals towards creating a meaningful change for those in need. I couldn’t be prouder.”

MOVATI Cares, a program designed by MOVATI Athletic, strives to support charitable organizations that help members in our communities lead a healthier and happier life. Shake Days was a National Event where all proceeds from the sale of shakes at the MOVATI Athletic Café were donated to both Feed Ontario and Edmonton Food Banks. These organizations work to fight hunger and support healthy communities.

Feed Ontario leverages bulk purchasing to buy and distribute food to food banks in the communities where our clubs operate, with every $1 raised providing 2 meals to an Ontarian in need.

Edmonton’s Food Bank provides food for over 34,000 people each month through their hamper programs and over 400,000 meals and snacks monthly through partner soup kitchens, shelters, schools, and other community groups.

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MOVATI Athletic is a privately held company with 17 locations across Canada and growing, with over 130,000 members and more than 2,000 employees. From the premium equipment and spa-like amenities to an industry-leading selection of group fitness classes, MOVATI offers a full range of fitness services tailored to its members’ needs. Driven by a vision to empower people’s lives through fitness and health, making the communities it serves healthier and happier.

MOVATI Athletic is poised for growth with new clubs opening across Canada. Visit MOVATI.com for more information.

To learn more about Feed Ontario and how you can continue to support their mission, please visit www.feedontario.ca. Let’s feed Ontario, together!

To learn more about Edmonton’s Food Bank and how you can continue to support their mission, please visit https://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/. Let’s make a difference, together!

Group Fitness – Restorative Yoga

IN CLUB

Restorative yoga is a restful practice that encourages you to slow down and open your body through passive stretching. Some restorative yoga classes have participants barely moving, holding only a few postures.

Restorative yoga is a completely different experience than most other styles of yoga. Read on to learn more about restorative yoga, and why it’s so critical for your body and mind to slow down and embrace the power of rest.

Class Category: Yoga & Wellness

Studio: Sky Studio

Class Length: 60 Minutes

This is a unique blend of stretching, movement, and breath combined with a relaxing environment to promote the natural healing process. Includes 15 minutes of Savasana at the end of each class.

Story Credit: Jayde Kabeya, National Manager, Group Fitness Education & Kasia Kudzma, Yoga Lead & Education Specialist

As leaders in Group Fitness, we offer a wide range of classes for all levels, with up to 200 live classes per week. Included in all memberships, our in-person live group fitness classes are led by certified instructors in our purpose-built boutique studios. Join our supportive fitness community and discover the strength within you. Let’s move with MOVATI!

Join MOVATI Today and get Started with this Special Offer. Already a member? Get customized programming by consulting with one of our Performance Coaches in club and complete your Game Plan Session or join seminars with one of our fitness professionals.

Group Fitness – Hot Hatha & Hatha Yoga

IN CLUB

Hatha yoga is a foundational style emphasizing physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), and meditation, while Hot Hatha is a variation of Hatha yoga practiced in a heated environment, typically around 38-42 degrees, often with a more dynamic routine.

Hot Hatha

Class Category: Yoga

Studio: Hot Studio

Class Length: 60 Minutes

Hot Yoga uses heat as a powerful detoxifying element to positively impact the body throughout the practice. The class grows through breath work, standing and balancing static postures and floor work to stretch the muscles and connective tissue. Each posture is held for long enough that a student can find themselves in it and build both strength and ease while there. This class serves anyone who loves the intensity of the heat and a strong, peaceful practice. Please bring your Yoga mat. A strap and block(s) are also welcome.

Hatha

Class Category: Yoga

Studio: Sky Studio

Class Length: 60 Minutes

The class grows through breath work, standing and balancing static postures and floor work to stretch the muscles and connective tissue. Each posture is held for long enough that a student can find themselves in it and build both strength and ease while there. This class serves anyone who loves a strong, peaceful practice. Please bring your Yoga mat. A strap and block(s) are also welcome.

Story Credit: Jayde Kabeya, National Manager, Group Fitness Education & Kasia Kudzma, Yoga Lead & Education Specialist

Group Fitness – Yin & Hot Yin Yoga

IN CLUB

Yin yoga is a style of yoga that focuses on holding poses for longer periods (3-5 minutes or more), targeting the deeper connective tissues, fascia, ligaments, joints, and bone.

Hot Yin yoga combines the principles of Yin yoga, focusing on holding poses for extended periods to release deep tissues, with the practice of yoga in a heated room, aiming to increase circulation and promote relaxation.

Yin

Class Category: Yoga

Studio: Sky Studio

Class Length: 60 – 75 Minutes

A deeply healing, grounding practice where postures are held for extended periods of time. Students learn to lean into gravity to elicit decompression of connective tissue and release physical and energetic blockages. Taught in the heat the practice facilitates detoxifying and deep stretching, taught in a cooler room and the practice facilitates structural change. Beneficial for every shape, size and level of activity from triathlete to newbie, first time to fierce Yogi. Please bring your Yoga mat. A strap and block(s) are also welcome.

Hot Yin

Class Category: Yoga

Studio: Hot Studio

Class Length: 60 – 75 Minutes

Hot Yoga uses heat as a powerful detoxifying element to positively impact the body throughout the practice. A deeply healing, grounding practice where postures are held for extended periods of time. Students learn to lean into gravity to elicit decompression of connective tissue and release physical and energetic blockages. Taught in the heat the practice facilitates detoxifying and deep stretching, taught in a cooler room and the practice facilitates structural change. Beneficial for every shape, size and level of activity from triathlete to newbie, first time to fierce Yogi. Please bring your Yoga mat. A strap and block(s) are also welcome.

Story Credit: Jayde Kabeya, National Manager, Group Fitness Education & Kasia Kudzma, Yoga Lead & Education Specialist

MOVATI Athletic’s Jessica Chiarello Wins Ottawa’s Favourite Fitness Influencer & Fitness Instructor

IN CLUB

MOVATI Athletic is proud to announce that Jessica Chiarello, a Level 5 Performance Coach and Pilates Reformer instructor from our Barrhaven Club, has won Ottawa’s Faces Magazine Favourite Fitness Influencer awards.

Presented by Mattamy Homes, the 2025 Ottawa Awards is the city’s largest people’s choice awards, recognizing excellence across more than 300 categories of businesses and professionals.

Jessica has been a valued member of MOVATI Athletic for over five years. She has been a key figure in filming fitness and Pilates Reformer content for MOVATI, generating over 250,000 views from her videos. With a dedicated following of over 17,000 across her social media channels, Jessica continues to inspire and motivate others on their fitness journeys.

We are incredibly proud of Jessica’s achievements and thank you all for your support in helping her win!

Story Credit: Anthony Cozzetto, Social Media Specialist

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Voting is now open! You can vote for Jessica in two categories:

✅ Fitness Influencer – Found under the Digital & Social category

✅ Fitness Instructor – Found under the Health & Wellness category

Cast your vote once per day until March 14th by following the link below:

Vote Here 👉 https://www.facesottawa.ca/awards

Winners will be announced on March 15th at 11:30 AM EST.

Cardio Exercises to Boost Heart Health and Stamina

FITNESS

In this modern age, maintaining cardiovascular health is more important than ever. One of the most effective ways to enhance cardiovascular health is through regular cardio exercises.

What are Cardio Exercises?

Cardio exercises, also known as cardiovascular exercises or aerobic exercises, are physical activities that increase the heart rate and promote the circulation of oxygenated blood throughout the body. Cardiovascular exercises not only strengthen the heart muscle but also enhance the efficiency of the entire cardiovascular system. Incorporating a mix of aerobic exercises into your routine can yield significant cardiovascular benefits over time.

Benefits of Cardio Exercises

Cardio exercises offer a myriad of benefits beyond just improving cardiovascular health. They help in weight management, enhance mood, boost energy levels, improve sleep quality, promote heart health, enhance stamina, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. Regular cardiovascular workouts strengthen the heart muscle, improve blood circulation, and lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, engaging in aerobic activities increases stamina and endurance, allowing you to perform daily tasks with ease and tackle physical challenges more effectively.

Types of Cardio Exercises

Bungee Workout™

With a focus on choreography, experience the feeling of gracefully flying in the air with this core-focused, toning, full body workout that improves balance and stability.

Dancing

Whether it’s dancing in our BurlesK studio class or in a club, dancing is a fun and enjoyable way to get your heart rate up and burn calories. Various dance styles such as Zumba, salsa, hip-hop, and ballet offer cardiovascular benefits.

Walking

An accessible and low-impact exercise suitable for individuals of all fitness levels It can be done indoors on a treadmill or outdoors in various settings such as parks, neighborhoods, or hiking trails.

Running

A high-intensity aerobic exercise that involves moving at a fast pace, typically faster than a brisk walk Running can be done on treadmills, tracks, roads, or trails, and it offers numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular endurance and calorie burning.

Cycling

Whether it’s riding a stationary bike at the gym, cycling outdoors on roads or trails, or participating in spin classes, cycling is an effective cardio exercise that strengthens the lower body muscles and improves cardiovascular health

Swimming

Perfect for any fitness level, our aqua-fit classes offer a great combination of cardio and conditioning exercise. Water provides full-body resistance while being low-impact, making it ideal for those with injuries or desiring a more therapeutic workout. We offer a wide range of classes and open swim times to fit your schedule. So, what are you waiting for? Jump in and join the fun.

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)

HIIT involves alternating between short bursts of intense exercise and brief rest periods. This type of workout is highly effective for improving cardiovascular fitness, burning calories, and boosting metabolism in a shorter amount of time.

Kickboxing

Combining martial arts techniques with cardio exercises, kickboxing workouts provide a high-intensity cardio workout that also helps improve coordination, balance, and flexibility.

How Much Cardio Exercise Do You Need?

According to the Australian Department of Health guidelines, adults should aim for at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week, spread across several sessions. This translates to about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.

Safety Tips for Cardio Workouts

Start Slow

If you’re new to exercise or have any underlying health conditions, start with low-intensity activities and gradually increase the intensity over time.

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workouts to prevent dehydration.

Listen to Your Body

Pay attention to any warning signs such as chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, and stop exercising if you experience any discomfort.

Proper Warm-up and Cool-down

Always begin your workouts with a proper warm-up and end with a cool-down to prevent injuries and muscle soreness.

Conclusion

Incorporating cardio exercises into your routine is key to maintaining optimal cardiovascular health. Whether you prefer walking, running, cycling, swimming, or any other type of aerobic activity, finding activities you enjoy can make staying active a rewarding and sustainable lifestyle choice. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise regimen, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.