Fitness Swellness: Sport Chek #GiftOfSport $200 giftcard GIVEAWAY

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED FOR ENTRIES. Congratulations to Damian O., the winner of the Sport Chek giftcard of $200! (Damian, please check your Facebook messages for more details about your prize, enjoy!)

Game buzz ring, are  you listening?

Is that not how the Christmas carol goes? Because I don’t think it’d be the holidays without including the #giftofsport!

Whether you know a fitness fiend or someone with the goal of getting strong and healthy in 2016, a gift of sport from Sport Chek  is always a good idea. The right apparel or equipment is essential not only to make sure you’ve got the proper form and are safe, for example, but it can help motivate you to getting your workouts done. And even more special about the gift of sport this holiday season is when you consider how much winter is tied into living in Canada and how sport and fitness give us all the chance to connect with family and friends and make the most of the cold and snow and ice. From hockey and skiing to running and snowboarding, yes! Winter isn’t time to hibernate for us hardy Canucks; the cold weather gives us a chance to get closer to one another (even if only to stay warm, brrrr).

Because the gift of sport is not just the tangible goods, say, the right pair of footwear or the necessarysports equipment. It’s actually the gift of becoming better, fitter, faster, healthier, happier, and of camaraderie — all of those good things that come with being active. It’s not just high-tech apparel, but a gift that helps each of us reach a new potential.

I had the chance a few weeks ago to tour the brand new Sport Chek store in Yorkdale Shopping Centre, and it’s all that and then some. As soon as you walk through the soaring oval entrance, there’s an interactive display where you can learn about fitness classes or events in the city, or find out more about the friendly staff (there’s some cheerful, welcoming knowledgeable staff here, such a nice change from this city’s lacklustre customer service). And throughout the space, there are screens featuring athletes or just wicked cool displays that make a pair of sneakers a work of art.

But it’s not all just fun; there’s a ton of opps for learning and improving yourself. Head into this store to get your gait analysed or you can test out your golf swing. Over in the ski and snowboard section, there’s a wall size display that’s interactive; simply stand in front of the huge screen and scroll and  point to learn about the products so you can narrow down your choices. Need to rest your shopping-weary feet or just waiting for one of the Sportchek services to be completed? There’s a lounge area where you can grab a seat and make use of these interactive displays to gain knowledge and get inspired more.

Honestly, you walk in here and you can’t help but feel motivated to get your fitness on. Surrounded by the top athletic brands, the store got me raring to go for winter running and a few ski trips I have in store this winter.

And because I want you to be just as inspired to get healthy and fit this winter season, I’ve partnered with Sport Chek to give away a $200 Sport Chek giftcard. Which you could keep for yourself, or give to a loved one!

How to enter? This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, and you can enter in four different ways (each way counts as one entry, so go ahead and enter in all four methods!):

1. Email me at healthandswellness@gmail.com with your name and mailing address (it just makes it quicker for us to send you the prize  if you provide me with your address off the bat). Please put “Sport Chek” in the subject line.

2. Twitter: Follow me on Twitter (@healthswellness) and  tweet:

I want to #sweatforthis with the #giftofsport  by winning this @sportchek $200 giftcard from @healthswellness. http://bit.ly/1PjEhxW

3.  Like the Health and Swellness PAGE on Facebook (at the top of the page) and then leave a comment on the specific photo about this Sport Chek giveaway — tell me what your favourite workout or sport is.

4. Instagram: Follow me on Instagram (@healthandswellness) and in the photo for this giveaway, tag a friend who loves fitness and sport as much as you do.

The giftcard is valued at $200 and the giveaway will close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, December 28, 2015. Please note that this giveaway is open to Canadian residents only. The winner will be chosen at random. If I cannot reach the winner within five days, another winner will be selected. The winner’s name will be announced on the blog once confirmed with the prize winner.

Good luck! Here’s to keeping fit this season with the gift of sport!

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16 Comments December 21, 2015

Fitness Swellness: Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Official Store, Superstore and PANAMANIA

Things are ramping up quickly for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. And it’s only a few days until the Games begin! I’m excited to that some 10,000 of the best athletes from the Americas and the Caribbean compete right here in Toronto. And these Pan Am/Parapan Am Games will always be special to all of us from Toronto because it’s here in the 6. And for me, these games will always stand out even more so as I not only got to get a sneak peek of the Athletes’ Village, but I also was a torch bearer in the relay on behalf of Technogym. And, ahem, I was mistaken as a Pan Am athlete when I was at the Athletes’ Village (yes, totally bragging here).

Going to actually watch some of the Games will be so hugely inspiring, I encourage you to all try to go. Tickets start at $20 and 75 percent of tickets are priced under $45, so it’s a great opportunity to see your favourite sport live or, I also think it’s a fantastic opportunity to discover a new sport. You may just get inspired to add something new to your fitness routine!

If you’re amped up for Pan Am, surely you want to show that support! It’s high time for you to get your hands on some of the official Pan Am merchandise at the Toronto 2015 Official Store located at the north end of the Toronto Eaton Centre (on street level, near the Roots store). If you haven’opped in yet, I can assure you there are some great exclusive products and gear. From stylish tees (this Spadina tee above is one of the top sellers) and hoodies for everyone, to practical items such as reusable water bottles (I love the cute Pictogram one!) so you can stay hydrated as you enjoy the Games, and sunglasses and caps

to protect yourself from UV rays (buy them if you see a pair you like, because if you snooze you may lose — the shop was already sold out and waiting for another shipment when I popped in), useful items like this Cinch Bag (to tote your essentials like your water bottle, cell phone and snacks in as you go from one game to another) and just plain adorable items like the Pachi plush, this is where you’ll find that perfect Games item you can hold onto as a keepsake of this historic event.

I love that there’s something for whatever your budget is, whether you’re more in the market for a coffee mug or a weekender bag. You know that cheer, “We’ve got spirit, yes we do! We’ve got spirit, how about you?”? We bet with all of the great official merchandise at the store, you won’t be able to resist and there’ll be no questioning whether you’ve got Pan Am/Parapan Am spirit!

That’s not all, though. On Canada Day, the Toronto 2015 Superstore launched at Nathan Phillips Square. This store will be where you can get the nations collection so you can rep your country proudly. I’m cheering for Team Canada, of course! And besides shopping the Superstore, there are many other exciting reasons you’ll want to head to this location: the Nathan Phillips Square location is also where you can take in PANAMANIA, a mix of arts, music and cultural exhibits and performances. I’m talking about concerts from the likes of The Roots, Janelle Monae and The White Stripes. And it’s all free. Free! You can find more details about PANAMANIA here.

For more info on the Games, visit www.toronto2015.org.

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Leave a Comment July 3, 2015

Fitness Swellness: H&M launches Sport collection

Good news for all of you who’ve made a New Year’s resolutions to get more active in 2013: H&M has launched a Sport collection. Including items such as fuel belts for running and tights for Spinning, the line (made out quick-dry and recycled polyester fabrics) is affordable (starting from $9.95, sweet!) — and I promise you’ll feel better working out in gear you feel good in, rather than that grubby gear you dug out of the bottom of your closet.

4 Comments January 14, 2013