Published: March 24, 2008 12:46 am            

Q&A: Liz Koepsell, YWCA Fitness Center director

Meet Liz Koepsell, community wellness cheerleader.

Koepsell, the recently hired director of YWCA of Niagara’s Fitness Center, feels like she’s landed the “perfect” job in her field.

It’s an exciting time to come on board, she said, as the Fitness Center expands its reach deeper into eastern Niagara County with satellite centers and a slate of new programs emphasizing overall wellness.

YWCA is looking to spread the wellness message beyond its membership. According to Beverly McDonough, vice president of communications, heart health is a significant issue for Niagara County residents. “The cardiac incident statistics are very dismal for both men and women, especially women. Baby boomers need to focus on wellness if they haven’t started yet,” she said.

Koepsell, 26, is charged with the task of keeping the Y’s wellness programming fun, flexible and useful to the diverse range of people in the community. A personal trainer by vocation, she’s also a student pursuing a master’s degree in nutrition from the University at Buffalo.

Here’s more on Koepsell and her plans.

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Question: What’s your approach to wellness?

Answer: I’ve always been into fitness, and I’m eating a lot better now that I’m in school for it. Seeing the results drives me to keep learning. ... I’m a strong person and I like helping others feel good about themselves, helping them get confidence. We’ve only got one life — and nothing to lose by trying to live it well.

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Q: What new things do you have in store at the fitness center?

A: I’m planning three new programs this summer. All of them will be outdoors. We’ll train in the parking lot, I don’t care. Let’s enjoy the nice weather!

One of the classes is a boot camp; a high-intensity, kick-butt class. It’s not for everybody, it’s for people who are already active.

I’m also doing 5K training, both walking and running. Normally people associate the 5K with running, but if you’re not ready to run one, I’ll train you to walk it.

Then I’m going to do “biggest loser.” I’ve done it before; people loved it. It’s not just competitive, it’s about changing to a healthier lifestyle. I’m not a person who exercises just to get into a bikini. It’s about health and longevity, not just looking good.

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Q: What’s “Get Fit Where You Live”?

A: It’s an exercise program with four satellite locations outside Lockport: Middleport, Newfane, Gasport and Wilson. What we’re doing is bringing health and wellness to them; they don’t have to travel to Lockport to get fitness.

We’ll hold a class at each location twice a week, in the evening. We’ll start March 31 and hold classes Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 6:45 p.m. There’s also a morning class in Gasport, from 11 to 11:45 p.m.

You don’t have to be a YWCA member to take part. The rate is $110 for a 10-week session. If your insurance covers it, we’ll take it. But we don’t know whose plans do and don’t cover it — so it’s up to you to call your plan and find out.

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Q: The center also is promoting nutrition seminars and a yoga class. What’s involved?

A: We have a registered dietitian, Melissa Waldorf, who works with children at the YWCA. She’s going to give lectures on certain topics: Carbs, facts versus myths and their role during exercise; proteins; fat sources, which ones we need; heart health and diabetes; and, this one’s really cool — healthy cooking for your family. The chef from Carolyn’s House will prepare a meal while Melissa talks about the benefits of what he’s cooking.

We’ll have five nutrition sessions starting April 3, every Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m., right here at the fitness center. They’re free for YWCA members.

The yoga class is with Julia Kress, from the Himalayan Institute of Buffalo. She’s extremely good. This one starts in April too, 5 to 6 p.m. Thursdays at the Cottage Street gym. The fee is the same for members and non-members, $45.

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Q: Why is all of this so important for women?

A: The better question is “why is this important for everyone?” Wellness is the medicine of the future. ... It’s about having more confidence in yourself, more self esteem. It’s about overall health. If you have more confidence, more energy, you can do a lot more. I think it’s a cure for everything, honestly, stress especially.

        

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