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Apr 26

New fitness leader at Park & Rec | News, Sports, Jobs – The Journal – NUjournal

Exercise Programs Comments Off on New fitness leader at Park & Rec | News, Sports, Jobs – The Journal – NUjournal

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Earlier this month the Park and Recreation Department hired Sandy Popowski as the new aquatics and fitness coordinator.

NEW ULM Earlier this month the Park and Recreation Department hired Sandy Popowski as the new aquatics and fitness coordinator.

I oversee the aquatics program and the fitness program. The aquatics program includes the lifeguarding, the water safety instruction, the pool, Popowski said. On the fitness side, I manage the fitness classes, the group exercise instruction, the scheduling for the exercise classes, and I do teach some of the classes.

Popowski is originally from Ivanhoe in the Marshall area and moved to Mankato in 2006 to attend Minnesota State University (MSU). She has a bachelors degree in exercise science and in community health. Popowski is halfway through completion of a masters degree in health education. She did her internship on a work site wellness team.

I felt I was lacking in some of the fitness experience, Popowski said. I started doing personal training and group exercise and decided running a program like this was definitely my passion.

New Ulm was one of the few communities with an opening for an all-round fitness coordinator, and she jumped at the opportunity to work in the area. Popowski sees her position as a growing need in many communities.

Health and wellness are becoming more popular, she said. Wellness takes a look outside of just exercise and just fitness. Its also stress management.

Popowski described New Ulm as an activity-oriented community. The Park and Rec Department is relatively large for a city this size and offers a lot room for growth. The size of the Park Department creates a set of challenges.

The greatest challenge of taking over this position is making everyone happy in terms of scheduling. The schedule needs to work for instructors and participants. There are 16 group exercise instructors and 15 lifeguards.

I am overseeing a hefty group of people, Popowski said.

In less than a month on staff, Popowski has learned the names of her co-workers, but admits learning all 42 park names and their locations is hard.

As the new coordinator, Popowski is maintaining the current program offerings while working to develop new programs. Several group exercise classes are scheduled at the Vogel Fieldhouse each day, including step aerobics, cardio workout and spin classes. Since taking over the position, Popowski has led a kickboxing class as the primary instructor.

Popowski said different components of kickboxing have been taught in New Ulm before, but never as its own class. There has been a demand for kickboxing instruction for the fitness benefits, as the sport forces participants to use and exercise different muscle groups.

With the popularity of yoga, Park and Rec is looking to implement an intro to yoga class. Popowski said the intro class is for those nervous about taking a full yoga class. Popowski plans to expand the personal training program in the fall.

This summer outdoor yoga classes will be offered in parks on Saturdays. These classes were held last summer, but this year the plan is to bring the classes to a different park each week.

Popowski said the goal is to offer more outdoor fitness opportunities. Weather permitting, spin classes have been moved outside on the pool deck.

By the end of the year, Popowski hopes to revamp the departments personal trainer program. The new system would focus on hour-long sessions with a trainer.

I am looking at offering new members one free personal training session, Popowski said. That will be like a consultation. Intro to the gym, intro to the fitness center.

The new system would teach people new to fitness the ins and outs of exercising. This way participants would know to work out effectively and safely.

Asked what is the best part of her new job, Popowski said, being able to bring some of my experience to heath and wellness here, and being able to learn.

The position allows her to promote health and wellness in the New Ulm community and participate in the daily exercises at the same time.

My door is always open to participants, community members or employees, she said. I am more than happy to introduce myself and take feedback from anyone.

Popowski lives in Mankato with her fianc Will Bromley. The couple are planning to marry in less than a month. After May 20, people looking for the Aquatics and Fitness Coordinator will need to ask for Sandy Bromley.

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New fitness leader at Park & Rec | News, Sports, Jobs - The Journal - NUjournal

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