Southwest Community Center

NEW WEBSITE!

southwestcommunitycenter — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 01:37:57 +0000

SWCC has a new website! We’ve enjoyed our wordpress and thank you all for following and giving us feedback over the years. Please add our new site to your “favorites” and find all of the latest and greatest information on the new site from now on.

SWCC Home–> http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/swcc

And here are some quick links to where you can find some of your favorite information on the new site:

Camps for Kids http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/swcc/camps
Fitness http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/swccfitness
Fitness Blog http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/swccfitbits
Indoor Pool http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/swccpool
Events http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/swccevents
Rental http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/swccparties
Sports & Gym http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/swccgym

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Holly’s Fitness Friday

southwestcommunitycenter — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 00:25:58 +0000

Hi everyone and Happy March! I know technically it’s still winter but I am excited for spring and feel like it’s already in the air. Things are moving forward here at SWCC and we are in full swing preparing for summer! Linda Hastings is back and we couldn’t be happier! She has some fun spring challenge classes coming up to get us prepared for when we start to show more skin. I am back from my snowy get away and easing into my regular fitness routine. And all over the building you can see people breathing a sigh of relief knowing we made it through another dark wet winter season. Let us all use this energy to put us into high gear as we prepare for our sunnier weather! Our bodies need to be strong for our summer hikes, vacations, and adventures! Remember we have five amazing trainers (including myself) to help you freshen up your spring routine! Don’t wait! Make an appointment today! Thanks for reading and have an active weekend!

Holly’s Fitness Friday

southwestcommunitycenter — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 03:37:35 +0000

Hi everyone and Happy Friday! I have to start by apologizing to my group fitness enthusiasts for canceling a few of my classes earlier this week. Trust me I would have rather been making you guys sweat. Instead, I found myself miserable on the couch wishing for my body to be well again. I had flu like symptoms for about 48 hours. But with a lot of water and rest by Wednesday I felt like myself again and it felt good to get back to SWCC and into my routine again! Remember when you’re sick its ok to miss a workout. In fact your body is already working hard at fighting the illness’ that are you giving you the symptoms, so when you workout while sick you’re just interrupting your body natural ability to heal itself, prolonging your sickness. There are a lot of bugs going around right now so remember to wash your hands, drink plenty of water, and don’t skimp on your sleep. Also working out while your well boosts our immune systems so if you do happen to fall ill you’ll recover quicker than someone who is sedentary. Exercise is a known positive stressor to the body, making it more efficient at handling negative stressors like the flu virus. I’m hoping I’ve paid my sick dues for the winter season and am looking forward to a healthy spring!

Thanks for reading and I hope you all stay well and have a fabulously fit weekend!

Linda’s Back!–(in print, anyways)

southwestcommunitycenter — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 03:06:56 +0000

Your February 2013 issue of Fitlife is out with all new articles! SWCC’s wonderful Fitness Director, Linda Hastings, has written 3 amazing articles for this month’s issue, so make sure you take a look! We hope you enjoyed the “Best of Series,” but we’re excited to have new articles for you again this month.

Click here to look through a paperless copy.

Holly’s Fitness Friday

southwestcommunitycenter — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 03:19:35 +0000

Hi everyone and happy Friday! I hope you all have had a great week full of fitness! As some of you know Willa and I were on Fox News a few weeks ago where they talked about how amazing our community member is. Well this week Koin 6 ran a nice special on her again and I’d like to share that with you! I continue to be amazed by her every time we work out!

Thanks for reading and viewing! Have a great weekend.

1 More Day to Save! Don’t miss out!

southwestcommunitycenter — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 05:11:34 +0000

Don’t miss out on this awesome night of family fun! Click on the link or call 503.823.2840 to get your spot today!

Navigate through our Life-sized Pac-Man Labyrinth, Frogger Obstacle Course and Sugar Rush Race Track! Play game of Giant Angry Birds, take a stroll through Qubert’s Corner Toddler Park and More!

Big Family Fun - Arcade Adventures

Saturday, 1/26, 6-8pm

Pre-Registration: $8, $4 per additional sibling

Day-of (1/26) Registration: $10, $5 per additional sibling

Parents and children 23 months and younger: FREE!

Step into the shoes of your favorite video game characters:

Pac-Man, Angry Birds, Frogger, Wreck-it-Ralph & More!

Games * Inflatable * Crafts * Movie * Music * Indoor Park

Power-Up Pasta Dinner $3 Per Person

Pre-register for speedy entry & to save $$$!

Life-sized Pac-Man Labyrinth

Giant Angry Birds

Sugar Rush Race Track

Galaga Inflatable Rocket Ship

Frogger Obstacle Course

Qubert’s Corner Toddler Park

Holly’s Fitness Friday

southwestcommunitycenter — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 03:51:47 +0000

Hi everyone and Happy Friday! I hope you have all had a fun active week. We are still busy here with our New Year’s resolution peeps. Even with all the extra sweating bodies we have been managing nicely and there is always plenty of room for everyone to get a great workout! I feel I have finally detoxed of all my holiday splurges and I am getting back into my normal routine! I am feeling great! Sometimes life gets in the way and we can stray from our fitness regimen but like I’ve said before it doesn’t take much time out of your day to care for yourself and you are totally worth daily care and maintenance. You eat, breath and sleep everyday. Exercise should be as important to you and thought of as breathing, it’s essential for life! The more you move the better you feel. So let’s keep moving together! I’ll see you in the gym!

Holly’s Fitness Friday

southwestcommunitycenter — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 01:57:18 +0000

Hi everyone and happy Friday! What a exciting week we’ve had here. The building has been packed with New Year’s folks looking to resolve to be a more fit person. We had snow covered hills in our park on Wednesday. And also after a press release this week my client Willa and I were interviewed by Fox 12 and Koin 6 News! Many of you know Willa and how amazing she is and it was only a mater of time before the whole city wanted a chance to see this inspiring woman in action! She is a young 93 and getting stronger everyday with her determination to complete challenging exercises. As we all continue to strive and reach our daily fitness goals we can keep Willa in mind as a great motivational tool. I like to think “If Willa can do it, so can we.” next time you’re feeling like skipping a workout think to the future and about your quality of life. I can only hope to be half as fit and able as Willa.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend! I’ll see you around the gym!

SWCC’s Own Fitness Inspiration is Spreading Across Portland!

southwestcommunitycenter — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 02:35:30 +0000

SWCC’s very own inspiration, Willa, has been working with Holly for the past 5 years. We’re so happy that her story is making its way across our great city. Look for her story on KPTV and KOIN 6 news and read the full article from portlandoregon.gov below. A big thank you to both Willa and Holly for inspiring us all to work a little harder!

93-Year-Old Woman Maintains Independence with Portland Parks & Recreation Personal Trainer

(Portland,OR) –

Willa Asbjornsen told her daughter she didn’t need to be in an assisted-living community. The 88 year-old wanted to move back home.

But Allison Asbjornsen was concerned about her aging mother’s ability to care for herself. The two women agreed to a compromise: Willa could move back home – if she worked out with a personal trainer to improve her strength and balance to ensure she was fit enough to care for herself.

Five years later, the now 93-year-old Willa is still living at home and thriving, thanks in part to Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) personal trainer Holly Howard, based at Southwest Community Center. The pair is a shining example of how PP&R can help enhance the quality of life for people of all ages.

“Willa is remarkable. I like to say that everyone falls in awe with her!” says Howard. “Willa has gotten more confident and has a great attitude. At first I think she felt like she HAD to be there with me. Now she eagerly embraces our sessions!”

Willa and Holly work on exercises essential for doing everyday tasks; reaching, standing, sitting, and more. The 93-year-old client says she’s delighted she can confidently sit, stand, and reach, and can improve her wellness without even the use of weights or machines.

“Holly is very inventive about finding exercises I can do. At the same time she urges me on through exercises I initially balk at,” says Willa. “And soon I find I can do them! I live in an area that’s very hilly, and I find that now it’s easier to climb the hills than it was before. Bending over is easier than it used to be. She keeps finding new exercises so it doesn’t get boring.”

Holly incorporates a weighted medicine ball in Willa’s workouts, along with modified push-ups, pull-ups, dumbbells, and other functional balance and strength exercises. Her goal is to make the sessions fun for the 93-year-old, as well as to produce results that enable Willa to maintain her strength, mobility, and flexibility.

“A lot of things I’ve learned from Holly I can do at home too, and I really like that,” says Willa. “She takes care to spot me during exercises. When I was growing up, women were never encouraged to be athletic. But even without an athletic background I’ve been able to do all this – even at my age!”

Willa and her trainer, Holly, have maintained their life-enhancing partnership for five years and counting. They work together two to three times a week, and Willa exercises solo as well.

“She’s very conscious of her body image, even at 93,” remarks Holly. She gets her hair done regularly, and wants to have a skinnier stomach! Willa is an inspiration, maintaining her current quality of living while being ready for whatever life brings her tomorrow.”

Portland Parks & Recreation has personal training, group exercise classes, fitness centers and pools available at community centers across the city. For more info please go to www.portlandparks.org

About Willa Asbjornsen

Willa was born in Portland in 1919 and is a member of McMinnville High School’s class of 1937. She earned a degree from Oregon State University in 1941 and then (in her forties) went on to earn her masters in physiology from the University of Portland.

Earning this degree allowed her to teach a training class for social workers at Mt. Hood Community College.

Once Willa retired from teaching in her sixties, she began to backpack around the world, staying in hostels with only a single duffle bag.

While on her travels she visited Africa, Southeast Asia, India, and Turkey. During this time she ventured into the Himalayas, reaching a peak elevation of 16,000 feet.

About Holly Howard

Holly is a Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, and Gym Supervisor at Portland Parks & Recreation’sSouthwestCommunity Center. She is a lifelong Portlander, married to her high-school sweetheart Justin. They are “parents” to a rescued dog, Oreo, and two cats.

Holly says she weighed close to 220 pounds in high school, but decided to make a change in her life at the end of her junior year.

“I opened my eyes to a world of eating that didn’t involve processed foods, fast foods, or soda pop,” she says. “I began thinking about where my nutrition was coming from, prompting me to eat more fruits, veggies, and lean meats.”

While continuing to eat healthy, Holly rediscovered the gym with a good friend.

“I loved the feeling I got after I accomplished a challenging routine,” she remembers.

Holly pursued a degree atPortlandCommunity Collegeand began interning at Southwest Community Center (SWCC). The enamored staff then offered Holly her current position at SWCC, which she has enjoyed for five years.

Holly teaches five days a week and says she is always open to taking on new clients.

Holly’s Fitness Friday

southwestcommunitycenter — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:28:56 +0000

Hi everyone and Happy Friday. I hope you all are enjoying the new year. New Year’s Eve we ended the year with a rockin 90 minute workout. The studio was filled windows to walls with sweaty group fitness enthusiasts looking to end their year with a bang. If you didn’t end your fitness year on a high note now is the time to start a new! It’s a new year and we have a clean slate. It’s time to find your inner athlete and make your fitness goals a reality. Let us all resolve to be more fabulous this year than last. I’ll see you in the gym!;)