The EQUIFITT Vision & Mission

The EQUIFITT vision is:

• To help clients achieve a sustainable state of fitness and wellness by making fitness more accessible and achievable through highly personalized programs which may incorporate favourite outdoor pursuits.
• to contribute to excellence in sport performance through functional training programs for athletes, and clients who wish to enjoy and achieve goals in their sport hobbies
• to contribute to excellence in equestrianism specifically through specialized functional training for equestrian athletes and pleasure riders.  Clinics, online training and personal programs aim for more balanced and effective riding in harmony with the horse, increased safety for the rider, and improved sport performance.

The EQUIFITT mission is to influence excellence through education and coaching in a balanced training program. 

EQUIFITT is committed to using fitness and sport conditioning best-practices, partnership in the community and the promotion of healthy lifestyle choices.

EQUIFITT contributes a portion of earnings to the work of First Place Pregnancy Centre in Ottawa, Compassion International, and The Salvation Army Kemptville.

The F.I.T.T. in "EQUIFITT"

Regardless of whether or not you have access to a fitness facility, EQUIFITT follows fitness best-practice in tailoring your program to your needs by balancing the following:

Frequency you exercise
Intensity exercises are performed
Type of exercises used
Time spent on each exercise and training component

Balanced Methodology

The EQUIFITT balanced approach covers the following core areas of fitness and wellness:

• Nutrition
• Cardiovascular Ability/Strength
• Muscle Strength and Endurance (including core strength)
• Flexibility
• Body Composition (Muscle/Fat ratio (BMI)

Because fitness is personal, fitness solutions that work are tailored to your time, budget and physical requirements.

EquiFITT Services

EQUIFITT offers the following services:

• Personal training (specializing in functional training for sport, injury recovery, disability)
• Equestrian-specific fitness and conditioning (Clinics, fitness talks/workshops, personal assessment, 'online coaching' distance coaching packages)
• Centered Riding Instruction (can be incorporated with fitness assessment or clinic)

About Heather Sansom Equestrian Fitness Specialist

MA, Certified Personal Trainer & Centered Riding Instructor, Author, Speaker 

Heather has been involved in fitness and competitive sport for over 25 years.  Since that time, her fitness experience has included competitive team sailing, triathlon training, cross-country ski marathon, fencing, rugby and a host of general fitness activities. She engages in several outdoor leisure sports and is competitive in equestrian sport. 

The emphasis of Equifitt training programs for all clients, regardless of sport involvement or personal health goals, includes:

• Functional training  (muscle memory, firing patterns, functional multi-joint skill)
• Posture & core integration 
• Lifestyle coaching

In addition to the professional certifications below, she has studied at University of Toronto (language), University of Montreal HEC (business) and holds a BA and MA (Dean's Honour, 1st Class Honours) from McGill University.

• Level 1 Centered Riding Instructor 
• Red Cross CPR/First Aid 
• Personal Training Specialist (CanFit Pro)
• Adaptive Training Certification (athletes with disabilities)
• Mind Games: Sport Psychology Intensive Workshop
• Trainer Certification (Community College of New Brunswick)

Heather's equestrian involvement spans three decades with experiences including Prince Phillip Games, some eventing, competitive trail and endurance training, hunter, fox-hunting, polo, natural horsemanship and her core discipline: classical dressage.  She and her current horse were provincial champion at the Jeux Equestres du Quebec in 2004 in Level 2.  She is currently training in Dressage at Level 4.  Heather's personal cross-training program includes cardiovascular, strength, core strength and flexibility training using a variety of training modalities and sport activities, as well as dance.

In addition to training clients and conducting clinics and workshops, Heather speaks on topics related to fitness for all ages, as well as sport conditioning specifically for equestrians.   Past speaking engagements have included the  University of Guelph Balance in Motion Symposium, CanAm Equine Symposium in London, Ontario, Equine Extravaganza in Brockville, GreenHawk Harness in Ottawa, Ontario Equestrian Federation Annual Conference, Equine Canada national Annual Convention in Ottawa, Canadian Pony Club national convention, and other clubs and venues.  She frequently teaches fitness for riders at the University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus and provides strength and conditioning coaching to the equestrian teams. 

Heather publishes several articles a month on sport conditioning and fitness, and is a monthly fitness columnist for Horse Sport (Canada), Dressage Today (international) and Chaff Chat (Australia).  Her two ebooks on fitness specifically for equestrians are available worldwide as downloads in the resources section of the Equifitt website.

Heather is also a Certified Level 1 Centered Riding Instructor.  Centered Riding helps riders transfer body-awareness and fitness principles, directly to more effective riding. Centered Riding can be a part of work with equestrian clients, if desired. 

Affiliations 

(see links page for other resources & recommendations)

Free Online Ride Better Blog:       

EQUIFITT is a proud supporter of the University of Guelph Intercollegiate Dressage Team.  Interested in supporting the team? Click the logo below for contact information for team captian, Equine Program director Katrina Merkies.