Big Update: We’re Expanding 👀
If you haven’t seen it yet — we’re opening a second space in the next few weeks.
We shared a quick video on Instagram → take a look here.
This has been in the works for a little while now, and I’m really excited to finally share it more widely. (Stay tuned for an official open house event!)
What this means in practice:
- We’ll have a dedicated space for personal training
- Which frees up our current space
- Which means… more room for classes
And before we go too far in planning that out — I’d genuinely love your input.
👉 Share your feedback here to let us know what you’d want to see added to the schedule.
Newsletter Topics
New Instructors
Meet Mike
Mike’s personal training and group fitness experience runs deep. He really is a technician, and is your guy if you want to get into the weeds of a particular exercise. We’re lucky to have him.
Mike is teaching 7am classes on Monday at Thursday.
Meet Nicole
I’m also excited to introduce you to Nicole, who is teaching Tuesday 7 p.m. Pilates.
Nicole is super warm and approachable, and ready to welcome you to the dimmed lighting of our back room for some simultaneously challenging and stress-reducing movement.
156 Hours Until The New Curriculum
Almost there…
Starting Monday, March 30 at 7 a.m. we’ll have 12 new exercises and a switch back to Pattern Practice. Challenging your brain, but giving your body a bit of a rest with a lower intensity than March’s Max Strength Month.
We spent time today with the full instructor team:
- Walking through the new phase
- Practicing cues
- Making sure everything feels clear and consistent
It’s always one of my favourite parts of the process because we all get to learn from one-another.
You’ll see:
- Some familiar movements coming back (sumo squat is making a return)
- A shift back to pattern practice, 7/10 intensity
- Lots of focus on building competence
This week is your last week of maximum strength. Enjoy it — and then we reset together next week.
Graduation Stickers
They’re here. Printed. Sitting at the gym.
Designing these ended up being way more fun than I expected, and I’m honestly very proud of how they turned out.
Whether it’s your first or you’ve collected a few, this one marks the time you’ve put in — showing up, paying attention, and building your strength with intention.
They go on your book, but more importantly, I hope they feel like a small moment to acknowledge what you’ve been doing here.
Proud of you.
Share Your Thoughts: 2026 Get Stronger Planning
Next week we’re finalizing the first new curriculum for 2026 (Q1) Get Stronger, and we’d love to hear from you.
Now that we’re deep into Maximum Strength Month, let your instructor know:
Which exercises you enjoyed
Anything that surprised you
Movements you connected with
Patterns or techniques you’d like to keep seeing
Your feedback genuinely shapes the next phase.
Get Protected from the Flu and COVID
As posted on the Toronto Public Health website: “Flu and COVID-19 vaccines … will be available for everyone … starting October 27, 2025.”
We’ve pre-booked ours at the pharmacy in the Loblaws (Dupont & Christie), and in past years we’ve had great luck with walk-in flu shots at Bloor Park Pharmacy (by the Baskin Robbins at Bloor & Christie).
It’s a priority to do what we can to avoid getting others’ sick. So, if you’re feeling unwell or have any sudden symptoms, please don’t come to class. To dissuade you, we’ll gladly refund your credit if it’s too late to cancel without penalty. Staying home when sick helps protect everyone.
Other reminders:
- You’re always welcome to wear a mask.
- We’ve got 2x commercial HEPA air purifiers running 24/7 at the gym.
Podcast Suggestion
Learn more about what seasonal illnesses may be ahead this winter with CBC’s The Dose' podcase episode titled: "How can we protect ourselves from fall and winter respiratory viruses?" Click to listen.
Improving Access to Classes
We know some of you have been finding it difficult to get into classes at popular times, and we want to acknowledge that challenge. To better enable our current members (and your routines), we’ve temporarily closed Recess to new folks.
If you’ve had trouble getting into a class, we apologize and will do what we can to make sure we can continue offering the classes you love. The aforementioned hip replacement does personally limit us (read: me, Millie) from adding more classes to the schedule for now, as much as I’d like to.
That said, we really encourage you to:
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Add yourself to the waitlist — spots open more often than you might think.
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Cancel even inside the three-hour window if you can’t attend; it may still help someone else jump in last-minute.
Thank you for helping keep registration flexible and accessible for everyone. And thanks for sticking with us. <3
Topic 4
That’s Strength, Too
If your grip is giving out before your legs—congrats! That’s progress. For exercises like dumbbell deadlifts, we’ve got lifting straps available. They shift the load and can help you keep form as your strength grows.
- Watch this 1-minute demo to learn how to use them—takes a little practice, but we’re here to help.
Topic 5
Run Club Is Staying Alive!
- Exploring earlier start times to beat the heat
- Adrian is connecting with a run coach for special guest sessions
- Join the WhatsApp group to stay connected (and motivated!)
Originally set to wrap this week, but due to demand, Run Club will continue!
We’re exploring earlier times to beat the heat. Join the WhatsApp group to stay in the loop. Adrian is also connecting with a run coach for special guest sessions.
Are you Recess-mobile?
That brings us to the end of this newsletter!
Share your thoughts, questions, feedback or whatever else is on your mind in our feedback form here.
