Summit Classic

It's that time again! Saturday June 15th, starting at 9:00am the Summit Classic 5K/10K will get under way. This is a competitive event for the whole family, walk, jog, or run through the Summit neighborhood. Get registered early by going on line or stop by the the front desk at the Summit to pick up a form.

Spartan Races

The time has come! The Spartan Race is here at last. I know we have a lot of members as well as employees that are participating and I just wanted to wish the best of luck to all of you!!! Be careful, have fun and race well Spartans!!!

Robert Sweetgall is Back!!!

Robert will be back to see us! Yea! May 7th and 8th Robert Sweetgall will be here offering more presentations for us. May 7th, at 6:30 in the Painbrush Room at KRMC Robert will be doing a presentation designed to help those with orthopedic challenges. He will be showing how to improve mobility using nordic walking and muscle stretching and strengthening techniques. This will be presented with Tim Gibbs, PT and Joe Bilau, PT.

May 8th, will be a presentation "Spring into Fitness and Healthy Active Living". He will be discussing simple, safe, non-threatening, research-based lifestyle changes that can add years to our lives and life to our years. Learn how to get started by attending this presentation.. Robert will introduce his new book, "One Heart, Two Feet" which he recently co-authored with Barry Franklin, PhD, director of Cardiac Rehab, Beaumont Hospital. This presentaion will be held at 7:00pm in the Summit, Conference room 3. Tickets for these 2 presentations are available at the Summit front desk and are free. You must have a ticket to attend as seating is limited.

Grand Opening Celebration!

Come join us!! This Saturday, February 23 from 8:00am to 4:00pm we will be celebrating the grand opening of our "Summit at Home Pro Shop and Cafe". Enjoy your workout and then treat yourself. We are going to be having  raffles, food and drink samples, free Summit access all day, and a one day membership special---no registration fee. During our celebration we will be offering 15% off all retail purchases including our fitness equipment. Come check it out and have lots of fun!!

I'm Back!!!!!

After a very long hiatus I am finally back! Actually I had a total knee replacement and was out of work for a very long time. It seemed much longer than it actually was, I guess I'm not really cut out to be a stay at home full time person. At least not while recovering from surgery. As soon as I could get out I was here at the Summit rehabing my knee and having way too much of a social life! If that is possible at a health club?? It was a lot of fun and I worked out more in the 2 1/2 months that I was gone than I have in the 6 1/2 years that I've worked here. Things are going very well, my knee is still quite stiff but I have been working it in the therapy pool as well as on the fitness floor doing exercises that my physical therapist showed me to do and riding the exercise bike.

Anyway, I just wanted you all to have an explanation of where I have been and why there hasn't been any blogging. Thank you so much for all your concern and well wishes. Everyone's kindness and generosity was so appreciated!

Third Time's A Charm

One more time! So the new flooring will actually be put in This week, starting Thursday Nov 8. The weight floor will reopen Monday morning November 12 at 5:00am. During this closure the weight floor, racquetball courts, climbing wall, and Studio A will all be closed.

Take Two....The Summit Weight Floor

Guess what?? The concrete is now dry and we are ready to install the new floor! Yeah!! Yes, we are going to be able to install the rubber flooring that we had originally planned, it is going to be awesome.

The weight floor, studio A, racquetball and climbing wall will all be closed November 14-18 for installation of the new floor. Like before, the cardio area, track and gym will remain open. We decided to do this the week before Thanksgiving so that when families are together for the holiday the Summit will be fully open for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding.

Beginning Strength Training for 50+ Ladies

Do you want stronger bones and more strength?? Then we have got the class for you! Starting Monday, October 22 we will be starting a Beginning Strength Training class, this is for the ladies 50+ years of age. Learn basic weight training including free weights for stronger bones and more strength.

We have two times available:  Mondays and Fridays from 9:00am to 10:00am taught by  Dana.  Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm taught by Shanna.

This is free to members but space is limited. Please call 751-4100 or stop by the front desk to register.

New!! Zumba Gold

Guess what? You asked for it and you got it!! Zumba, but at a slightly slower pace, lower impact but still lots of great Zumba fun! This will be on the schedule as Senior Zumba but this is Not just for seniors, it's for anyone that has wanted to join a Zumba class but is looking for a lower impact version.

This new class will be starting Thursday, October 11th from 10:10am to 11:00am. Class will be held downstairs in Studio A. Have some fun and join us for Zumba Gold!!!

Weight Room Floors

As you know the weight room floor was closed last week to put in new flooring. During that process moisture was detected under the tiles. The good news, it was not standing water and there was no mold present. However, there is potential for moisture to return so we cannot put down the rubberized flooring. Instead, we have decided to install carpet which will allow the concrete to breathe and dry. We will reassess the feasibility of installing rubberized flooring in the future.

In order to install the new carpet, three days will be required to move all the strength equipment, prep the floor surface and lay the carpet. It would be ideal to do this in the Summer when we are less busy but we don't want to wait that long. Our tentative plan is to install the carpet on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. Like before we will have to close the weight floor, racquetball courts, climbing wall and studio A during this 3 day period. The new rubberized flooring that was intended for the weight floor will be stored and used upstairs in the cardio area, that work being scheduled for next summer.

This situation was unforeseen and we apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make this needed adjustment. Moving forward, we want to restate our ongoing commitment to doing everything necessary to maintain our status as the Flathead Valley's top fitness and wellness facility.

Pink in Action

You can reduce your risk of Breast Cancer! How?  Studies show that excess weight is a risk factor for breast cancer, and healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent the disease.

Take Action! Kalispell Regional Healthcare invites you to show your commitment to breast cancer prevention by participating in a healthy activity of your choice on Saturday, October 6th.

* Free 5K Fun Run, Walk or Bike:

The Summit Medical Fitness Center, Registration is at 9:00am- Bike start time is 9:45am- Walk/Run start time 10:00am. Healthy snacks will be provided at the course's end. Awards will be presented for ;the most outrageous display of Pink attire.

*Workout at the Summit! Free Access to All* 7:00am to 9:00pm

* Free Zumba Class, 10:00am at the Summit

*Free Water Aerobics Class, 10:00am at the Summit

Register online at www.kalispellregional.org. For more information, call 751-6697

*kids under 13 must be accompanied by an adult

Save A Sister

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in support, the Flathead Valley community volunteer effort coordinated with Kalispell Regional Healthcare, North Valley Hospital, and the Flathead City-County Health Department is going to turn the town Pink!

Turn the Flathead Pink is an annual activity sponsored by Save A Sister to raise community awareness by asking businesses and individuals to decorate their business in pink and wear pink to show support for October Awareness Month.

Fact: One in 8 women will be stricken with Breast Cancer in her lifetime.

Fact: Only 49% of women in Montan are having screening mammograms as recommended by the American Cancer Society, nationwide is 66%.

If you are a woman, age 40 or over, please have a mammogram annually to help reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by up to 40%. Early detection does save lives!!

If you need help: Save A Sister can help! We have partners in the Flathead Valley that can help you with your physician appointment and mammogram costs. Also, we funds to help pay for your mammogram if you do not have health insurance. So...do not let funding stand in the way! Call 752-7524 or 1-877-399-0384.

Join us on October 5th and Turn the Flathead Pink!!!

Construction Begins!

Wow! Yesterday was definately a flurry of activity! The inside of the Summit looks like a set up for a haunted house. One area they are taking the last pillar down to allow the deli area to "bump" out. The other large tent will be the member services offices. It's kind of crazy looking in here and I'm sure it's going to be pretty noisy but I'm excited to see it when it's all done. I will keep you posted on the latest happenings when i know more.

And So It Begins.....

The big question of the summer has been, "when are you going to start on the deli?". Well, finally I have an answer for you. Construction...or distruction will begin Monday. Woo Hoo!!! It is going to be a little crazy around here though, member services has already been displaced, moved, relocated in about 5 different offices. OK not really 5 but they have moved,  which created a lot of chaos around here yesterday but we just have to keep it in perspective, everybody has to be flexible and just try and have some fun with it! I will keep you posted on the progress as the weeks go on.

New Floor

The Summit weight floor will be closed September 27, 28, 29 and 30th. During this time we will be installing new flooring in our fitness area. Woo Hoo!! Studio A, the climbing wall and racquetball courts will also be closed during this time as well. We do apologize for the inconvenience but it will be awesome to have a brand new floor!

Prostate Screening

It's that time again, it only happens once a year. We have free prostate screenings for you guys. We still have room in todays screening that will be from 4:30 to 7:30, there is another screening on Thursday, September 13 from 4:30 to 7:30 also here at the Summit. A third screening will be offered on Saturday, September 29 from 9:00am to 12 noon in Columbia Falls. Appointments are necessary, please call 751-4500 or 751-4100 to make an appointment.

Back to Fall Hours

I'm not ready to say back to Winter hours yet so we will go with Fall hours. Winter must be months away, I'm hopeful. We're going with a nice long lovely Autumn. With that we go back to our extended hours, Monday through Friday 5:00am to 10:00pm,  Saturday 7:00am to 9:00pm, Sunday 7:00am to 7:00pm. We also have a changes  in pool times, some class changes new schedules are available for viewing on line or we have copies here at the front desk. Of course, you can always give us a call with any questions  751-4100.

Glacier National Park, Creekside Ramble

Come join us on a ranger-led hike in Glacier Park!! Friday, September 7th from 10:00am to 2:00pm we will be hiking in the park. We will be gathering at the NW corner in The Summit parking lot and departing promptly at 9:00am. We expect to return by 2:00pm, following our picnic lunch in Glacier Park.

Please provide the following:

*Nutritious snacks (as needed) and a "brown bag" lunch.

*Comfortable, protective and supportive walking shoes/hiking boots

*Wear comfortable clothing, with the ability to add or remove layers.

*Personal backpack with adequate fluids (1-2 quarts of water) for hydration.

*Personal transportation arrangements

*Ability to walk 2 miles over 2 hours, with slight elevation changes

If you need assistance with transportation, please see the Journey to Wellness bulletin board located here in the Summit. Please rsvp to 751-4106 or 751-5374 to reserve your spot.

Swim Around the Lake

It's almost time!! Fall is right around the corner and it's time to start thinking about swimming around Flathead Lake. Say What??? Okay, okay not really. You can complete a warmer version by counting laps in the Summit pool! Turn this challenge into a great six month workout.

The challenge starts October 1, 2012 and ends March 31, 2013. All challengers that complete the 80 miles will receive a really cool hooded sweatshirt.

You log your progress on a chart posted in the pool area. 1 mile = 72 pool lengths (36 laps). Swim 233 lengths (117 laps) per week to complete it in 6 months. For more information call 751-4161

Upcoming Closures

It's that time of year, it comes every year and no it's not for a month. All the pools will be closed the last week of August for our routine repairs and cleaning. The lap pool and spa will be closed Saturday August 25-Tuesday, September 4th. The therapy pool will close at 5:00pm Friday, August 24th and reopen Tuesday, September 4th.

Studio B will be closed Wednesday, August 29th and reopen Tuesday, September 4th. We will be completely refinishing the floor.

The entire Summit will be closed over the Labor Day weekend, September 1st, 2nd and 3rd. At that time we will be refinishing the Gym, Studio A and both racquetball court floors.

We really don't do this to inconvenience anyone, it is all part of the maintenance and upkeep of the facility. We have to do these things so that we can keep the Summit that we all love in tip top shape. Thanks so much for your understanding and get out and enjoy the outdoors for a few days.