Langley instructor marks 30 years of fitness

For 30 years, Cathy Johnson has led fitness classes at Township of Langley recreation centres and has seen the trends come and go.

In the 1990s, she started her career as a fitness instructor and step aerobics classes were popular with participants sweating and stepping in bright neon and tight spandex, warm-up socks, and sweat bands.

“It was fun, I loved it, but now I prefer more strength-based workouts,” says Cathy, who is a Recreation Leader at Township of Langley. “I’m so passionate about it because it really is so beneficial for women and people at every age. We all need it.”

Keeping motivated

In the 1990s, Cathy started building a fitness routine by running the track at McLeod Athletic Park and taking step aerobics classes at W.C. Blair Recreation Centre.

“At first I couldn’t even make it around the track once,” she said. “And then I kept going. Eventually, I ventured off the track and really got into marathons. From there, I decided to get fitness certifications and become an instructor.”

Cathy instructed a variety of fitness classes over the course of her career. Currently, she an instructor for the Seniors’ Small Group Training and the Cardiac Maintenance programs.

Seniors’ Small Group Training is a registered program offered at Township of Langley recreation centres with a maximum of six participants.

 “I always tell participants, ‘You’re going to know every corner of this place and you’re going to feel confident when you’re done. You’re going to get hooked on it.”

Fitness during BC Seniors’ Week

Cathy is an instructor for the Seniors’ Fitness Circuit, one of the many fitness, aquatic, and recreation programs that are part of the BC Seniors’ Week activities at the Township of Langley recreation centres.

The Seniors’ Fitness Circuit is also an opportunity to drop-in and try out a workout like the regularly scheduled Seniors Small Group Training, which is offered at multiple recreation centres.

“Coming here and taking the classes is what motivated me to become an instructor because I thought it looked fun,” she said. “And it is fun.”

Get active with Seniors' Week activities at our recreation facilities. Learn more and register for programs at tol.ca/seniorsweek.