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From First Splash to Confident Swimming

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:57:52 +0000

Congratulations are in order for Souyma Kattikat and Steve Ferndandez!

If you stopped by the Wilson’s pool on a Tuesday night these past few months, you may have seen them swimming side by side—laughter echoing through the glass atrium.

It didn’t start off like that, says Souyma: “I was quite anxious at the start, as I was uncomfortable in the water and couldn’t even put my head under. Kat’s calm, patient, and encouraging teaching style made a huge difference. Swimming with her felt relaxing, and she gradually helped me overcome my fears—to the point where I was confidently dolphin diving for pool toys! By the end of the program, I had learned three strokes.”

Coach Kat beams, saying that “the sense of ease, confidence, and play” she sees when Souyma and Steve swim together today is exactly what she hopes swimmers gain from the adult learn-to-swim (ALTS) program. This story comes at the perfect time, as April is Adult Learn-to-Swim Month.

According to United States Masters Swimming (USMS), approximately 37% of adults in the U.S. are not yet able to swim the length of a pool. Further, only about half of adults can perform all five basic lifesaving water skills: jumping in, treading water, turning, swimming 25 yards, and exiting. The ALTS program is working to expand access to lifesaving skills and a love of swimming nationwide.

Souyma started working with Coach Kat on her own, and, after several sessions, her husband, Steve joined for tag-team lessons. “My husband also made great progress,” Souyma says. “He finished with two strokes under his belt and felt great about his improved skills.”

Souyma and Steve looked forward to the weekly lessons. “What really stood out to both of us,” she says, “was how thoughtfully Kat tailored each session to our individual needs and goals. She balanced encouragement with skill-building in a way that kept us both motivated and comfortable.”

“Tag-team lessons are so much fun,” says Coach Kat. “Learning is great—and learning with a friend or spouse, well, that’s even better. I told Souyma and Steve that now they’re ready to race their kids all over the pool this summer.”

At their final lesson, Souyma and Steve showcased the many skills they had learned, and Coach Kat even introduced flip turns. After practice, she presented them with certificates of accomplishment, which the two accepted proudly, laughing at the “surprise graduation.”

“We highly recommend Kat to anyone—especially adults who may feel nervous about learning to swim,” says Souyma. “Her approach truly transforms the experience.”

How can you get started with Coach Kat at Wilson’s? Send her an e-mail and get your session scheduled! kathrynfweaver@gmail.com

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Making Waves: USMS Coach of the Year Inspires Wilson’s Adult Swimmers

admin — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:57:10 +0000

Recently, Wilson’s Fitness welcomed Coach Mike Hamm for a special night of adult swim events. He planned the events with Kathryn Fishman-Weaver, “Coach Kat,” who runs our adult personal coaching swim program.

Coach Mike is a lead instructor for United States Masters Swimming (USMS), where he teaches the three levels of USMS coaching courses as well as the clinic course for coaches. In 2024, he was named the USMS Coach of the Year. An accomplished swimmer himself, Coach Mike was an Olympic Trials qualifier, a USA All-American, and is a USMS All-American.

He met Coach Kat a little over a year ago when she was launching our Adult Learn-to-Swim program. She said his visit to Wilson’s was “a kind of full circle moment” for her as a swim coach. “Coach Mike is such a positive influence on swimming,” says Kat. “It’s impossible to be around him and not improve, both as a coach and a swimmer.”

During Coach Mike’s visit, he toured our facilities, led a stroke clinic, joined us for an adult learn-to-swim community event, and celebrated Coach Kat’s recent designation as a Level 3 USMS Coach.

Mike shared that he was impressed with everything happening at Wilson’s. “The facility is first rate, top-of-the-line, and offers clients an extensive number of options that makes this health club a quality facility” He adds that “The people were just great—so kind and welcoming. Instructing from the pool deck was super comfortable, and the swimmers were all so coachable.”

In planning the visit, Kat said she couldn’t wait for Coach Mike “to meet the incredible swimmers who practice at Wilson’s.” This includes swimmers like Ellie Trick, who has been a regular at Coach Kat’s group practice since the beginning of the swim program.

Ellie joined the stroke clinic to further refine her technique. “Coach Mike was fun and made class a good time,” she said, adding that he taught her new skills, especially around breathing. “It turns out,” says Ellie, “that for me, swimming is a lot more thinking and not as much splashing in the water to get to the finish line.”

Kelsey Fishman, another regular swimmer in the practice group, said, “Coach Mike made everyone feel great about their progress.” This is the goal of both USMS coaching and the inclusive adult swim program we’ve built at Wilson’s. Coach Mike says these clinics were “all about making small technique adjustments that have a big impact in the pool.”

For Tabitha Kimble, one of the adult learn-to-swim students from 2025, she came to the clinic hoping to make progress on her freestyle kick. At the end of the clinic, she had not only made progress—she was demonstrating her progress to the whole class.

Swimmers had many reasons for joining the clinics. A few triathletes came looking to improve their efficiency. One long-time distance swimmer said she had heard about all the fun happening in Coach Kat’s group practice and hoped this might be the first step in helping her fall back in love with the sport.

The swim events were all marked by personal goals, small technique adjustments, and a lot of laughing. As such, there was no competition—only progress, persistence, and community. Yet both coaches agree that if they had awarded a most-inspiring-clinic-swimmer, that recognition would have gone to Betty Mwai.

Growing up, Betty never missed watching the swimming events in the Olympics, and she always loved the water. However, until she joined the swim program at Wilson’s, she says “dog paddling” was her way across the pool. This all changed, says Betty, when Coach Kat invited her and her friend Jenniffer to join the then new swim program.

Betty still lights up thinking about it. “I was so excited! Coach Kat not only believed in me, but she has taught me the right swimming technique.” Betty attended every event with Coach Mike during his visit. Like Ellie, she says, “The stroke clinic was such a fun class! I was able to learn a lot of great tips to help improve my technique.”

When asked if Betty had anything else to add, she says, “Just a big thank you to Coach Kat and Coach Mike!”

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Adult Learn to Swim Training

admin — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:54:53 +0000

“I never imagined swimming would become such a big part of my life,” says Jenniffer Macharia, “but now, it’s my favorite sport and the best way I know to relax and recharge. There’s something calming about the rhythm of being in the water, and today, every time I swim, I feel stronger and more at peace.”

This month, Jenniffer became our first Wilson’s Fitness graduate of the full adult Learn-to-Swim (ALTS) program.

Like 37% of adults in the United States, prior to the program, Jenniffer hadn’t yet had the opportunity to learn to swim. This changed when she reached out to Kathryn Fishman-Weaver (“Coach Kat”) for lessons. Kathryn is a U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) athlete, coach, and certified ALTS instructor.

Jenniffer and Kathryn both laugh, remembering their first lesson together. On the first day, they worked on walking across the 4-foot pool together. “Even then,” says Jenniffer, Kathryn kept telling her that she could learn to swim. “She’s been my biggest cheerleader,” says Jenniffer, “celebrating every bit of progress I made, no matter how small. Her passion for teaching radiates through every lesson, and her unwavering belief in me gave me the strength to keep going, even when I doubted myself.”

“Small forward steps, or in the ALTS program, small strokes forward make all the difference.” says Kathryn, “Every time we were in the pool, we made progress. Jenniffer is a fast learner and a great athlete.” The two met once to twice a week and worked their way through the ALTS curriculum. “Once Jenniffer mastered swimming 25 yards freestyle continuously and confidently, there was no looking back.” says Kathryn, “After that, she was truly a swimmer.”

Today, Jennifer is a regular at the pool where she practices the four competitive strokes and is working on flip turns. Like all sports, there are many important techniques athletes learn through training. Among the specific skills they worked on, Jenniffer says the program taught her “how to breathe in water, float with confidence, move with grace, and master every stroke.” She adds that “Kathryn didn’t just teach me the techniques; she made me believe I could learn them. She is not only a great swimmer and trainer, but also one of the most patient, encouraging people I’ve ever met.”

Kathryn is flattered by the compliments and quick to add that Jenniffer has also become a role model in the pool. “Several people have come up to us to say that seeing Jenniffer’s progress has inspired them that they can also learn to swim. And they’re right. They can!”

Continuing Swim Education

In addition to the ALTS classes, Jenniffer participates in Coach Kat’s Monday evening mixed-level group swim class, Recess Relays. Kathryn says she runs the class with three key commitments: “We are for fun; we are for challenge; and we are for each other.” The social camaraderie has been instrumental for swim progress.

“Learning alongside others makes the experience feel welcoming and far less intimidating.” says Jenniffer. “It’s in the way we support one another, celebrate small victories, and share countless laughs along the way that makes this journey not only beautiful, but also deeply enjoyable.”

Earlier this month, she met Jenniffer and another Recess Relays swimmer at a neighborhood pool for deep water and diving practice. The deep water access gave Kathryn the opportunity to confirm that Jenniffer had mastered the ALTS skills and recognize her with a surprise certificate from USMS. Both say this special moment is one they’ll remember forever.

“If you’ve ever thought about learning to swim but felt unsure,” says Jenniffer, “I’d say: go for it. In our adult learn-to-swim program, you will feel safe and supported, with a coach who cares about your journey. It’s never too late to learn, and the water might just become your new happy place!”

For more information about the Adult Learn-to-Swim program or the Monday night mixed-level swim class, contact Wilson’s Fitness (573-446-3232) or Coach Kat (kathrynfweaver@gmail.com).

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Spring Fling Event

admin — Tue, 06 May 2025 20:19:11 +0000

In January 2025, Kathryn Fishman-Weaver (“Coach Kat”) started Wilson’s first swim-based group fitness class. The class, which she calls Recess Relays, aims to support adults as they build endurance, swim skills, strength, and water confidence.

Coach Kat, who sometimes refers to the class as a pool field day for adults, says that she reminds all the swimmers she coaches “that we are for fitness, fun, and each other.” She adds that “Once you become an adult, you rarely get to go play at the pool, and that’s a shame. Sports and play go together and swimming is no exception.”

Each Monday, the swimmers who attend her class look forward to seeing what she has planned for them. On April 21st she surprised the group by hosting Wilson’s first Spring Swim Fling.

The event included 9 challenges focused on fitness, fun, and swim skills. Each challenge was followed by a leveled swim. Swimmers could choose to complete 9 x 200s, 9 x 100s, or 9 x 50s. “As an educator, I write differentiation into all my planning.” says Coach Kat. “It’s important to me that everyone who comes to class experiences success.”

Swimmers took advantage of the three leveled options, with Mary Bean completing the top distance and logging well over 2,000 yards at the event.

The nine challenges included play-based events such as a beach ball partner swim, handstand contests, and dolphin dives for colored gems that Coach Kat had hidden around the pool; swim drills such as corkscrew (where a swimmer turns from backstroke to freestyle) and social kicks (kickboard drills with a friend); as well as more competitive events that the class had worked on in previous weeks including butterfly and backstroke sprints and the 100 yard Individual Medley.

“Recess Relays is my go-to spot for fun and fitness.” says Spring Fling Finisher, Mickie Abiyou. “It’s like a never-ending playground for grown-ups! Each time, I’ve burnt over 1,000 calories while having the time of my life! I’ve walked away from class time and time again thinking, ‘That was an absolute blast!”

All Spring Swim Fling finishers received a flower lei and certificate marking their achievement. Ellie Trick, a Recess Relays regular says, “I have enjoyed learning the basics swim strokes and new skills. This class has made me more confident in the water, and our Coach also makes everything fun, like our Spring Fling Event last week!”

Wilsons members can join Coach Kat each Monday at 5:30pm for Recess Relays, which is included with their gym membership. Non-members can pay a $17 drop-in rate per class. While no formal swim experience is required, swimmers should be able to confidently swim the length of the pool before joining the class. Not quite there yet? That’s okay! Reach out to Wilson’s for information about Coach Kat’s private and tag team adult-learn-to-swim coaching packages.

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Is Your Weak, Tight or Unbalanced Core Creating Pain In Your Everyday Life?

admin — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 16:15:26 +0000

An infant grows from the core (spinal cord and nervous system) and develops outward from the beginning of life to the beginning of movement, so as adults, we must do the same and remember our roots.

Imagine asking an infant to walk before he has learned to lift his head. This is the same concept as asking a client/student to jump or lift weights before developing inner core strength. Somatic awareness of the inner core unit must accompany all activities in life to keep a body balanced and healthy. Weak, tight, or unbalanced core muscles can inhibit or create pain in any activity we might do in life. In all areas of life, stand tall and stay rooted.

The inner core unit refers to the functional synergy between the deep muscles of the core. The inner core unit is composed of the transversus abdominis, the posterior fibers of the obliquus internus abdominis, the diaphragm, the pelvic floor muscles, the multifidus and lumbar portions of the longissimus and Iliocostalis and psoas. These muscles have their origin or insertion at the vertebrae and generate little or no movement during activation. Contraction of these deep core muscles provides segmental stabilization of the spine. The inner core unit is activated a few seconds before the movement of the limbs. The impaired function of the inner core unit affects stability in the limbs and vertebral column.

How do you fix it? By bringing awareness and understanding to this crucial set of muscles, we set ourselves up for greater stability and mobility in our daily endeavors and fitness classes!! Check out SUP yoga, pilates, Barre, LM Core, and BodyFlow on our class schedule to discover your inner core for outer harmony.

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Local Experience Gift Guide

admin — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:47:19 +0000

Shopping for someone who has everything?

1. Coffee + Hand Crafted Drinks. Who wouldn’t enjoy a gift card to swing by and get a coffee, smoothie, tea. protein shake or hot chocolate before work or on a slow Saturday morning? The Grind is a local favorite and has 3 locations conveniently located throughout Columbia.

2. Group Fitness Pass. More than a workout, group fitness classes are a lot of fun. Wilson’s offers class passes, so anyone can try out classes with no membership required. Gift a class pass to mix and match yoga, rowing, barre, aerial yoga, cycling, TRX, and many more.

3. Salon Services. Everyone loves being pampered. Look good, but feel even better. Wrap up an experience to Tan Rio’s Salon with a professional spray tan, highlight, color, style or eyebrow wax.

4. Culinary Tour. Sure, they’ve probably eaten downtown-but have they really experienced it? Columbia Culinary Tours provides such a fun and unique way to taste your way throughout downtown Columbia. Choose between Out on The Town Tour, Dessert Tour, Flavors Tour or a Private Tour!

5. Bowling and Night Out. It’s not just for kids. Sometimes we need a little push to go out and do something fun. Wrap up a fun night out at Level Up Entertainment with bowling, laser tag, ropes course, an arcade, and maybe some drinks and pizza to go with.

6. Personal Coaching Package. No matter your fitness level, everyone could use a little accountability and motivation to be their best self. Wilson’s MAP package is available for members or non-members that includes a discovery of your health and fitness and 2 personalized coaching sessions.

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Maximize Your Results Working Out

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 17:18:10 +0000

Have you walked by the PowerPlate in the clubs wondering what in the heck it was? Jewel thought the same thing for many months.

The Power Plate vibrates up to 50 times a second sending tiny vibrations through your body. These tiny vibrations activate more muscles, burn more calories, improve circulation and assist in muscle recovery.

This technology is used by celebrities [think Mark Wahlberg], professional athletes [think Serena Williams], doctors and even astronauts. You can do stretches, squats or incorporate a variation of the exercises you usually do on the ground, but receive additional benefits.

1) Improve bone density

Did you know most astronauts prevent bone loss by utilizing the vibration technology? Longtime member, Jewell, was concerned when her first DEXA scan showed low bone density. She started incorporating the PowerPlate into her workouts 3 days a week for just 5 minutes. After just a few months she saw a 6% bone density increase in her spine and 4% increase in hips.

2) Burn more calories

Don’t increase your time working out, switch up how you’re doing it. Working out on a vibrating surface should activate more muscles and burn more calories.

3) Activate more muscle fibers

Fight against gravity and vibrations! Studies have shown that using a Power Plate for during your workout activates up to 138% more muscle fibers when compared to a standard workout (The American Chiropractor).

4) Increase circulation

Vibrations help your body deliver nutrients and oxygen to your cells. Studies have shown that whole body vibration increases skin blood flow. Increased skin blood flow can also help decrease the appearance of cellulite.

5) Relieve pain and muscle recovery

Recover faster with these tiny vibrations. The PowerPlate is a MDD certified medical device. The soothing vibrations can help increase the blood flow that can help improve muscle recovery time.

**Be sure to ask your healthcare provider if this is right for you, especially if you’re pregnant or if you’ve undergone a procedure or surgery that included placement of hardware. Both Wilson’s on Forum & Wilson’s on Rangeline have Power Plates. Feel free to ask a coach if you need some assistance!

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Good Vibrations

admin — Tue, 03 May 2022 17:16:17 +0000

Good Good Vibrations
With summer just around the corner we might all be singing that famous tune by the Beach Boys and feeling that summer high. Music, sun and being outdoors are some of the best ways to bring those feelings of good vibrations. Another way to connect to these feelings is through awareness of the T (thought) field.

All things in our universe are constantly in motion, vibrating. Even objects that appear to be stationary are in fact vibrating, oscillating, resonating, at various frequencies. Resonance is a type of motion, characterized by oscillation between two states. And ultimately all matter is just vibrations of various underlying fields. L-fields (discussed in previous Wilson’s blogspot) are subtle physical fields that are measured electrically and T-fields are thought fields. Through awareness of our thoughts, along with Swadhyaya (self study), we can begin to change and/or increase our overall vibration, which leads to a great sense of well being.

Click here for some guided meditation.

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Spring Yin Yoga Poses

support-pkt — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:46:27 +0000

Spring is a time for renewal and rebirth! This is evident as we observe nature with the return of vibrant colors, new life coming into being and the warmer weather bringing animals and humans out of hibernation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the element of Wood represents spring and is manifested in the liver and gall bladder meridians.

The function of wood is movement, expansion, activity, change, it is the home of new ideas, new thoughts, transformation and hope. Below you will find some sequences which support your body especially during spring time to restore balance, detox the organ systems, nourish the digestive system, release tension and stress from spine and hips, and “deep-clean” the energy channels.

Caterpillar Pose

Extend your legs out in front of you and place anything under the hips you may need to bring your hips to neutral. You could also place a block or pillow under the knees if the hamstrings are tight. Breathing in, lift through the spine and begin to hinge from the hips, exhaling softening the body down with gravity. Do this a few times and observe the sensations in your back body as you breathe in this position.

Winged Dragon Pose

Place one foot between your hands and step the other foot to the back of the mat releasing the knee, padding it if needed. You could also place a block or prop under your hand. Inhale to lengthen the spine as you place your left hand to your inner thigh and exhale to twist toward the bent knee. If more sensation is desired, flex at the ankle and open the hip away from the body. Stay here for about a minute and then switch sides.

Supported Bridge Pose

Lying on your back with your knees bent out in front of you, lift your hips toward the sky. Place a block under your sacrum, and set your hips on the block at any height. Give yourself a big hug and then open your arms into a cactus shape after a few minutes. First gathering your energy, then opening yourself up to what the world will offer you this Spring.

Banana Pose

Lie on your back and cross your left ankle over the right and grab your left wrist with your right hand. If you need more sensation, move your upper and lower body to the right. You’ll feel a stretch in your left side. When you’re ready, come back to center and move to the other side.

Legs Up the Wall Pose

Take your mat to a wall (or simply use a rug or blanket if available), get into a ball on your side, your buttocks touching the wall. Then roll over to lift your legs up the wall, letting your arms rest on either side of your body like a T, in a cactus shape, or placed on your heart and belly. Choose the option that will help you get into this practice with ease.

Did you enjoy? Join us for more! Yin Yoga 10:15 – 11:15 am with Catina Topash in the Hot Yoga Studio at the Forum Location!

Yin Yoga*: Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga that uses specific asanas (postures) that are held for longer periods of time, typically from 1 minute to five minutes or more, depending on the posture. These postures access deeper layers of the fascia, promoting essential balance in our mental and physical bodies.

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True North

support-pkt — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 15:54:45 +0000

WILSON’S FITNESS CENTERS A family owned Columbia business since

WILSON’S FITNESS CENTERS
A family owned Columbia business since 1982

The post True North first appeared on WILSON'S FITNESS CENTERS |.