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Members of Spafit by Linda  in Melfort. (Facebook)
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Local weightlifting challenge pulls in over $2,000 for cancer research

Nov 7, 2023 | 2:18 PM

A friendly fitness competition involving gyms from Melfort and Prince Albert raised over $2,000 for cancer research.

The Deadlift 4 Cancer event, organized by Spafit by Linda, and affiliated trainers Heather Zimmer, Katana Bednarz, and Sheldon Mauvieux, was held on Sunday in Melfort.

Heather Zimmer is a personal trainer at the gym and explained when planning the event, they discussed how October is breast cancer awareness month and November is prostate cancer awareness month.

“So we kinda thought this way we are hitting both together for men and women while promoting some strength training,” she said.

Heather Zimmer. (Submitted)

From the Melfort gym, a core group of seven men and seven women lifted over 4,500 pounds and in doing so raised just over $1,600. Each member paid $50 and was allowed three attempts to get their personal best. Zimmer said it was a lot of fun.

“We had some ladies, aged 50 years and up, that were like pulling and crushing over 200 pounds. That’s just absolutely amazing,” she said.

Sheldon and Jennifer Mauvieux came dressed for success. (Facebook)

Co-organizer Sheldon Mauvieux teaches Crossfit at the gym and explained he’s already had a lot of requests to do it again next year.

“Nobody in Melfort has ever had anything like that, to go right up on a platform and do that in front of people. So it was really cool for everybody to get to experience that,” he said.

Saskpro Crossfit in Prince Albert accepted the challenge and contributed about $400. Their eight participating members lifted over 2,700 pounds. Gym owner Scott Gardiner said it’s always great when as a business you can give back.

“We have a great group of people. They are always willing to help out,” he said.

Zimmer said she would like to see more gyms get on board next year.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

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