Nestled within the coronary heart of downtown Halifax, Aerobics First has been serving the operating group there since 1980. It’s turn out to be a pillar of the group–a spot for runners to search out the most recent and biggest, pop in for a fast go to, get their skis waxed for winter–and, as soon as a month, take part on the chill-paced Bagel Run that’s turn out to be a group staple.
“We’ve been in the identical constructing since 1980, initially in only a small little a part of the constructing, after which through the years, we’ve grown to take up your complete constructing, and now we personal the constructing,” explains retailer supervisor Matthias Mueller. “Operating and strolling have at all times been our massive factor; we began on the peak of the jogging craze within the early Eighties, earlier than any shops have been round. Our founder, Margaret Armour, had travelled a good bit and had seen the passion of operating rising in different places, but it surely hadn’t fairly made it to the Maritimes but. So she stated, ‘We actually want to do that. We have to begin a operating retailer, and convey it right here.’ And he or she did.”
Now, the shop nonetheless serves primarily runners and walkers, but additionally has added a strong alpine snowboarding part to their choices. And it has advanced with the occasions, by way of what runners want. Now, the workers is there to assist runners and walkers of all ranges discover the proper shoe to serve their wants and match their toes. Lots of the individuals who work within the store are runners themselves. As an illustration, Mueller is a former monitor and cross-country runner who graduated from Dalhousie College with a level in kinesiology and a want to assist extra individuals uncover a love of operating. He began as a part-time worker throughout college, and, a decade later, he’s nonetheless there, now performing as retailer supervisor.
“I really feel very fortunate,” he says. “I’ve had some actually good mentors right here. The homeowners, Luke MacDonald (who retired this spring) and Dean Cheverie, have been superb mentors, and their purpose has at all times been to attempt to foster the subsequent technology of possession. And so they obtained that originally from from Margaret, who began the shop. Her purpose was at all times to principally go it off to the subsequent technology. Luke and Dean have been that technology, after which I suppose I’m the subsequent.”
Rising the Halifax run group
“The Bagel Run is a month-to-month group run that we host,” Mueller explains. “The entire objective was that we wished to carry the run group again collectively. In Halifax, there’s fairly a variety of completely different golf equipment and crews and teams. Just about on daily basis of the week has one thing occurring. Reasonably than us having an in-house run membership, the place we’re competing with our neighborhood membership down the road, we thought a month-to-month community-oriented run that might carry all of the teams collectively made extra sense. We invite everybody, and it’s a possibility for individuals new to town and new to the group to satisfy the completely different run golf equipment. It’s beginner-friendly, however there are additionally loads of runners who’re coaching for quick marathons or ultras. We do a relaxed 5K collectively after which we have now bagels and occasional, so individuals can mingle.”
“We wished to assist and develop golf equipment in our neighborhood, and the Bagel Run actually has executed that,” he provides.
Past that, the shop makes some extent of being as inclusive and welcoming as potential, and that features prominently putting the LGBTQ+ pleasant emblem of their on-line profile. “We simply really need everybody to really feel welcome to come back in to our retailer,” Mueller says. “We wish to attempt to have a optimistic affect on whoever’s strolling within the door.”
Discovering the proper match
“I like getting to assist individuals, all the way in which from elite performance-oriented runners to somebody’s nice aunt who’s simply popping out of the hospital and wishes new footwear after hip surgical procedure,” says Mueller. “We have now such a variety of shoppers, and I actually get pleasure from problem-solving. Every particular person is exclusive, and so is the answer to their situation, and what gear or gear goes to work the perfect for them.”
“That is a part of why our title is Aerobics First,” he provides. “We would like individuals to guide lively, wholesome existence. We all know that if individuals will be lively later into life, then their high quality of life improves. And a lot of that may begin along with your toes: in case your toes are at all times sore, hastily, it sucks to stroll down the block to get groceries. Your exercise and mobility decline. Your high quality of life declines in a short time. Our mission actually is to assist individuals keep lively and shifting so long as potential.”
His greatest tip for getting sneakers? It’s easy. “At all times strive them on. Strive them on.”
And your best shoe modifications over time. “We have now individuals who’ve shopped with us for 30 years, and so it is crucial, each occasionally, for us to have that repeat buyer and say, Let’s sit down and re-measure, get one other take a look at your toes and see what’s modified,” he says. “The foot is a extremely dynamic and fluid construction, with many various little bones, numerous ligaments and tendons. So we do see the foot change over the course of somebody’s life. It’s essential to then alter your becoming issues as that evolution happens.”
Giving again to the group
Lastly, it’s not nearly enjoyable runs adopted by bagels. The shop additionally runs an annual sock marketing campaign through the vacation season (it’s occurring proper now, in actual fact). “Our annual Snookie Socks marketing campaign is a program the place, with the assistance of our clients and group, we glance to offer wool socks to houseless or near-houseless people in our metropolis,” he explains. “Footwear defend toes, however good socks save toes. Over the past a number of years, we have now raised $27,000, which equates to greater than 4,000 pairs of socks donated to people in want.”
The shop additionally has a program known as #FitItForward, the place they take new or gently-used footwear and distribute it to these most in want in our local people with the assistance of group outreach companions. “As a longstanding Nova Scotia enterprise, we attempt to have a optimistic affect by assorted social initiatives. In spite of everything, we wish to assist and provides again to the group that has supported us for thus a few years.