Happy New Year 🎉 & Happy New Curriculum!
We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and found some time to slow down. Stepping away, sleeping a little more, and letting routines soften for a bit all matter — and they set us up well for what comes next.
Our new Q1 curriculum is officially underway, with a strong focus on movements that challenge balance. We’re kicking things off this weekend with Get Stronger C, continuing to use the landmine and barbells to explore the hinge pattern.
This new curriculum was thoughtfully developed by the whole team – we can’t wait to hear what you think!
Newsletter Topics
Schedule & Instructor Updates
Our regular class schedule has resumed, and Adrian is officially back teaching classes — now just over six weeks into his post–hip replacement recovery.
Adrian will be teaching all weekday 7 AM classes.
We’re also happy to welcome Meredith (pictured), who will be teaching:
Mondays at 12 PM, 6 PM, and 7 PM
Tuesdays at 11 AM
Thursdays at 6 PM
Mariah’s classes continue as usual (Thursday at 11AM and Saturdays), and Millie will be teaching her usual classes + Fridays at 6PM.
A note from new instructor, Meredith
Hi everyone! I’m excited to join the gym as a new personal trainer and group fitness coach, with a background in gymnastics and dance that brings a strong focus on movement quality, strength, and control. I’m a Registered Kinesiologist with six years of experience in fitness, health, and wellness, and I’m passionate about helping people move better, feel stronger, and build confidence in their bodies.
I can’t wait to train alongside you and support you in reaching your goals!
Sunday Get Stronger
We’re seeing more interest than capacity for the Sunday 10 AM Get Started class. Rather than letting people miss out, here’s how we’re handling it:
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If you add yourself to the waitlist by Saturday, and if we see strong demand
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We’ll add a 9 AM class the following day
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Everyone on the waitlist and in the 10 AM class will get an email to confirm whether the added class works for them
If Sunday mornings work for you, the waitlist really helps us respond — and makes it more likely we can open up extra space.
End-of-Year Reflection Cards
You may have noticed an end-of-year reflection card in your notebook, inviting you to reflect on your past year of strength training and movement.
If you’re open to sharing, email us a photo of your completed card by January 9 to be entered into a draw for a 10-class pack.
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.
That brings us to the end of this newsletter!
Lingering questions? Shoot us a note using the form.
Otherwise, have a wonderful start to 2026 and we’ll see you soon (and give you your grad sticker!!!!)
Don’t forget! You can manage your Recess workouts on the go with the Xplor mobile app.
