ÉCONOFITNESS FOUNDATION: FOR AN ACTIVE AND FUN YOUTH!

The Éconofitness Foundation was launched last year, five years after the first Éconofitness gym opened. Éconofitness decided to establish a children’s foundation out of a desire to promote the joy of exercising in a way that reflects respect for oneself and for others as well as for one’s physical and mental limitations.

Through this foundation, Éconofitness continues to uphold its four core values of fun, support, respect, and simplicity.

MISSION OF THE ÉCONOFITNESS FOUNDATION

It was only natural for Éconofitness to extend its mission, which is to make fitness accessible to as many Quebeckers as possible, to school-aged children and adolescents, targeting in particular the age groups most at risk of being sedentary, that is, those ages 9 to 17.

WHY CREATE A FOUNDATION?

Every child should, from a very young age, have the chance to experience the joy and benefits that come with an active lifestyle, don’t you think? How sad it is to see a child adopt a sedentary lifestyle because of social or financial issues, physical or mental limitations, or family constraints.

 

The ultimate goal behind the establishment of this foundation is for all young people to grow up with the opportunity to lead an active life that promotes a healthy lifestyle from an early age and has a lasting, positive impact on their health and self-esteem. The Éconofitness Foundation also wants to break the taboos about physical appearance and encourage young people to realize that exercise is for everyone, regardless of fitness level or shape, thus motivating children who may be shyer or more self-conscious to start exercising and accept the way they look.

 
HOW WILL THE FOUNDATION ACHIEVE ITS MISSION?
The foundation will base its initiatives on two main approaches in order to get young people across Quebec to enjoy exercising, alone or with others:

👟 VIRTUAL ACTIVE “BREAKS”

Just like in our Éconofitness gyms, technology is an important ally of the Éconofitness Foundation. Through it, we can make information and content related to physical activity accessible to everyone at all times. That is why the Éconofitness Foundation has chosen to create active, fun, and non-intimidating “breaks” that will be available directly on YouTube as soon as school starts in 2020. These clips, which are intended for children, were designed by a team of experts, including Coach Jen, a kinesiologist and fitness director at Éconofitness.

 

The exercises in the videos require very little or even no equipment at all. When required, very simple and easily accessible objects, such as a chair or a pencil box, are used. In addition, the Foundation deemed it essential that all body types be represented in the videos so that all young people could identify with the participants and be motivated to take part in the activities offered.

    

 

These active “breaks” are primarily designed to inspire passion and interest in physical activity by removing barriers to participation in sports, particularly among more sedentary youth. In addition, these videos will encourage children to have fun as they exercise at their own pace, never putting emphasis on performance or competition.

👟 DONATIONS TO ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE MISSION IS COMPLEMENTARY TO ÉCONOFITNESS FOUNDATION’S MISSION

Although the Éconofitness Foundation has only recently been created, it has already begun to promote its mission by presenting its first ever funding cheque, worth $10,000, to Fillactive, an organization with which the Éconofitness Foundation shares two values, namely support and respect, and whose mission is to encourage teenage girls to adopt and maintain an active lifestyle.

 
$10,000 ALREADY DONATED TO FILLACTIVE!

Although the Éconofitness Foundation has only recently been created, it has already begun to promote its mission by presenting its first ever funding cheque, worth $10,000, to Fillactive, an organization with which the Éconofitness Foundation shares two values, namely support and respect, and whose mission is to encourage teenage girls to adopt and maintain an active lifestyle.

 

DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR TOWEL!

 

All proceeds from this fundraising campaign will go to the Éconofitness Foundation and be used to help other organizations throughout Quebec. Stay tuned as more fundraising campaigns will be launched in the coming months!

Nadège St-Philippe, co-spokesperson for the Éconofitness Foundation

 

For full details on the Éconofitness Foundation, its spokespeople, and its latest initiatives, visit fondationeconofitness.ca.