Fitness company taking on ALS battle
Orange Theory extends efforts to Canada
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a usually fatal motor neuron illness that kills by gradually paralyzing a person until his or her lungs and heart are no longer able to function. This is because signals are disrupted from the brain and it can't communicate with body to keep it working. It’s particularly cruel because it moves so slowly through the body, paralyzing one part at a time.
For the past two years, Orange Theory Fitness has partnered with Life Fitness and Octane Fitness founder Augie Nieto, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2005, to try to find a cure. Through Augie’s Quest, as it has become known, Orange Theory raised over $2 million in the United States last year in its maiden effort.
This year Orange Theory extended the fundraising efforts to its Canadian studios, and on Saturday West Lethbridge’s own studio held a full day of muscle crunching group exercise sessions to try to do its part to raise money for Augie’s Quest.
“In Canada,” explained Lethbridge studio manager Laura Moore, “we set a goal of raising over $150,000, which we have absolutely done at this point in time. In our own studio our goal was $4,000, which we have already exceeded. We really love to be involved in the community and take part in as many things as we can, so this was a great opportunity for us.”
Lisa Clooney was one of the local studio members who took part in the marathon 90-minute exercise sessions Saturday.
“You die,” she said with a laugh and a groan. “You walk out alive at the end of it, but it’s hard getting there. It’s great workout though, and you feel good at the end of the day ... I enjoy coming here. It's a great community and great trainer and coach, but today was special because it was also for a good cause. So why not? It’s a win-win.”
Participants paid $25 each for the sessions which was donated directly to Augie’s Quest. Studio coach Amanda Jeffrey said her students had a lot of fun working out for the cause.
“We got a lot of fun photos and selfie action here,” she said after wrapping up her early afternoon session. “Everyone worked really today because they knew it was for a great cause. It was a partner workout, and we had a lot of awesome team spirit. Everybody got a free workout towel at the end of the day.”
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