Frequently Asked Questions

Fans in Training was created from the Hockey Fans in Training program. FIT is a 12 week healthy lifestyle program tailored to improve the lifestyles of overweight and obese male hockey fans. Hockey FIT draws on the power and connection people feel towards their favourite sports team to recruit overweight or obese fans into a 12 week lifestyle program.  Includes behind-the-scenes access to team dressing rooms, and you never know who will show up at these sessions. In the past, team players and personnel have made an appearance to cheer participants on!

There are a couple of reasons why we’ve targeted sports fans.

1. Connectivity: Sports fans are a highly connected group regularly attending or watching games to support their favourite sports team. Hockey FIT draws on this connection to engage fans and pro-actively support and help men build and sustain healthy lifestyle changes.
2. Opportunity: Many sports fans are looking for that next level way to engage with their favourite sports team. Hockey FIT provides the opportunity for fans to engage further with their team, going behind the scenes and meeting team staff and players along the way.
3. Health Risk: Did you know that sports fans are typically unhealthier than non-sports fans? Research has shown that sport fans are more likely to eat unhealthy foods particularly when their team is losing. Hockey FIT provides fans with the tools and resources through the promotion of safe gradual changes to physical activity levels and healthy eating to make healthier choices.

Currently we are focusing on recruiting overweight and obese, middle-aged men. We are looking to expand into other population groups as well.

Send us an email to FIT@uwo.ca and introduce yourself. We will be sure to contact you if different opportunities arise that you may be a fit for.

Hockey FIT is 12 weeks long with weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes each.

Have a look to see if Hockey FIT is taking place with a team near you by clicking on the JOIN HOCKEY FIT button at the top of the page.

Send us an email with the team that you support to FIT@uwo.ca and we will contact the team to try and arrange the program to run with them.

Each team is different but sessions usually take place at the arena, the practice facility, a local health club/community centre or a mix between the three.

No. All of the exercise is on dry-land. There will be no skating involved for those participating with hockey clubs.

Maybe! With sessions taking place within the sports team community, who knows who may turn up at a session!

Sessions include education about living a healthier lifestyle i.e. diet and physical activity followed by some exercise.

Each team is different but typically team staff run the sessions.

Contact us for more details – FIT@uwo.ca and/ or call us at 519-661-2111 ext. 22124.

The workshop is run by our Head Coach & Trainer, Ash De Cruz. Ash will walk you through the Hockey FIT program, teaching you the ins and outs of how to deliver the program through a fun and interactive workshop. Contact us for more details – FIT@uwo.ca.

Stay Tuned:

Hockey FIT Online Coach Training: Currently Under Construction.

We are in the process of developing online course modules to better support our coaches. These modules walk through the Hockey FIT program, with self-checks to help test your knowledge. Complete the quiz at the end of the training modules to get your Hockey FIT coach certificate.

The coach training workshop is between 6-8 hours and can be done in 1 days or over 2 days. Contact us for more details – FIT@uwo.ca.

Stay Tuned:

Hockey FIT Online Coach Training: Currently Under Construction.

Physical activity is steps per day…think walking at your regular pace.

Exercise is moderate to vigorous activity or completing activities where you reach and maintain your target heart rate…think cardio fitness class, running.

E-mail us at FIT@uwo.ca and/ or call us at 519-661-2111 ext. 22124.