Fitness 2J2 founder Joel Pedersen is in Air Ronge this week. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Keeping fit

Fitness 2J2 working with tri-community groups this week

Mar 27, 2019 | 10:59 AM

Fitness 2J2 founder Joel Pedersen is back in the tri-communities this week to deliver professional programming to residents.

Pedersen has been based at Gordon Denny Community School (GDCS) since Monday, where he has since worked with elementary students, as well as the La Ronge Judo Club and La Ronge Nordic Ski Club. When he trains with students during the day, Pedersen said he goes over functional fitness techniques and works closely with the physical education teacher. Programming in the evenings, however, are more intense because they also include CrossFit activities.

“Normally these kinds of classes, if you were in Saskatoon, would range anywhere from $12 to $20 per person per drop-in session,” he said. “We’re able to work with the community and provide this programming at no cost.”

Pedersen’s visit to the tri-communities was made possible through a partnership with the Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District and GDCS. Pedersen has also been in the area before as he has hosted fitness sessions at Churchill Community High School, Northlands College and Senator Myles Venne School. Fitness 2J2 also focuses on the Indigenous population and Pedersen said he has been to about 30 First Nations or Métis communities in the last seven years. He added more than half of them have been in northern Saskatchewan.

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During his time travelling throughout the North, Pedersen said people have been friendly. Pedersen is a Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation band member and also a retired officer who spent 25 years with the Saskatoon Police Service. Near the end of his career, he knew he wanted to do something else.

“When I founded this company, I wanted to be able to give back to the community,” he said. “I wanted to be able to really be able to provide professional fitness programming for Indigenous people, by Indigenous people. What I mean by that is forming the program as it is, I am able to come in with Indigenous instructors and provide that role modelling for communities as well.”

Tonight, members of the public are invited to a free session with Pedersen at GDCS from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno