So What Is Fitness, Really?

Five Years of Fitness at the Centre Multisports

Depending on what you're looking for, the word fitness—still an anglicism in French—can mean just about anything. From pool gear to yoga classes, you’ll find this word on the front of stores, warehouses, and even clinics. According to Wikipedia, fitness is short for “physical fitness” and refers to a set of physical activities that improve your physical condition and overall well-being. Larousse defines it as a combination of strength training, stretching (this is France, after all), and cardio workouts. In short: it’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet of movement.

At the Centre Multisports, we prefer the simple definition offered by Nadia Vani, group class coordinator:

“In short, fitness is any physical activity that’s not tied to a sport. The important thing is to move and improve your physical condition.”

So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at how group classes at the Centre Multisports have evolved over the past five years.

From 1980s Spandex Aerobics… to HIIT

“When I started, group classes were a thing, but the variety was limited,” says Nadia, who brings nearly 30 years of experience in physical activity. “Today, we offer a huge variety of classes—zumba, yoga, spin, HIIT, mommy & baby classes, and seniors’ sessions. The programming has expanded over the years to include every age and fitness level.”

The Centre Multisports now offers around 60 group classes, catering to a wide range of physical health goals. This variety isn’t random—it’s partly fueled by social media trends that spread new workouts like wildfire. “People talk,” Nadia observes. “When something becomes popular, we hear about it. We stay up-to-date with trends to remain relevant and attractive. It allows us to personalize each member’s journey.”

This evolution encourages members to diversify their workouts, try new things, and avoid hitting plateaus. “Doing the same thing over and over again gets stale,” Nadia says. “Having new challenges keeps you motivated—and at the Centre, there's always room to grow.”

Fitness Builds Community

Since its opening in 2012, the Centre Multisports has seen its growing class offerings create true communities.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in 27 years,” says Nadia. “People come for a membership and leave with new friends, job leads, support networks—it’s amazing.”

She points to the 150-member Zumba group or the Perfo class community, who often organize social outings together. Even meditation and yoga classes create unexpected connections between people with completely different training backgrounds—from serious gym-goers to seniors who just walk the track. It’s a testament to the Centre’s mission: getting the people of Vaudreuil-Soulanges moving—together.

The First Door to Open

The biggest impact of group class growth? Prevention.
The Centre’s arrival helped anchor physical activity as a community priority. But the hardest step is the first one: getting people through the door.

“People can feel intimidated walking in for the first time,” Nadia admits. “But we have real pros here. When you buy a car, you talk to an expert. Here, we offer a free consultation with a kinesiologist. That’s the entry point—not to sell you anything, but to help you take that first step.”

Once inside, you quickly realize: these people are just like you. All of them driven by the same desire—to move, have fun, and stay healthy.

And just like that, fitness takes on its true meaning.