Meet the Exercise and Fitness Team that Help You Stay Fit and Strong

Participating in an exercise and fitness program - regardless of age - promotes and contributes to well-being. Not only are the health benefits plentiful, so are the emotional and physical benefits. Exercise promotes a healthy heart, mind, and body. Keeping yourself strong means you'll be able to continue enjoying the activities that bring fulfillment to your life. 

Meet the Team of Fitness at Walker Methodist

We have a team of fitness professionals at Walker Methodist who keep our residents healthy, fit, and strong. Get to know them below!

Nick Charest - Fitness Technician at Highview Hills

Nick joined the Walker Methodist staff in May 2014 after completing his Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University – St. Paul.  His daily work includes all aspects of fitness center operations at Highview Hills including personal training, group exercise instruction, and new member on-boarding.  He is also a Certified Exercise Physiologist from the American College of Sports Medicine.  During his final semester at Concordia University – St. Paul he worked as an intern with the Walker Methodist fitness program at the Minneapolis Campus. 

Nick has had the chance to make a great impact on the lives of many of the residents at Highview Hills, one resident in particular who works with Nick described the benefits of her experience as:

• Great impact on my overall mental health; physical health correlates directly with mental health.
• Teaches me how to not only create personal fitness goals but achieve them!
• Knows just how to push me to achieve my best each day in the fitness center.
• Seeing great improvement in overall health.
• Keeps me as independent as possible.
• Have gained so much more overall body strength, which then improves my quality of life
• The fitness center has brought me many more relationships with my other neighbors in the community here at Highview Hills.
• Has given me hope to never give up, though I am younger than most in this community. I look at the older people who Nick trains and how well they are all doing, that gives me hope that someday I will be that age too and doing so well.

For questions about the Fitness Center at Highview Hills, contact Nick Charest at (952) 985–9014.

Sam Wirth – Fitness Technician Walker Methodist Plaza

Sam joined the Walker Methodist staff in April 2017.  He is a 2015 exercise science graduate of Concordia University – St. Paul.  During his final year at Concordia University – St. Paul he completed an internship with the fitness program at the Minneapolis campus.  Prior to joining Walker Methodist, Sam worked as an exercise and rehab specialist at Health Source Chiropractic.  His daily work includes all aspects of fitness center operations at Walker Methodist Plaza including personal training, group exercise instruction, and new member on-boarding.  Sam is currently working towards the Certified Exercise Physiologist certification from the American College of Sports Medicine.

When asked how fitness has made a positive impact on his life, Sam said:

”Fitness has made a positive impact on my life both physically and mentally. It is easy to see the physical importance of exercise, such as increased balance, mobility, and cardiovascular health. Often times, the mental benefits are overlooked. I believe that fitness can have just as positive of an impact on mental health as it does physical health. Being active helps me to stay motivated, keeps my mind sharp, and helps reduce stress I might have. Fitness helps me stay fit and positive!”

For questions about the Walker Methodist Plaza Fitness Center, contact Sam Wirth at (763) 453 –7033.

Aaron Aslakson – Director of Fitness Centers at Walker Methodist

Aaron joined the Walker Methodist staff in August 2009. He is a 2005 graduate of Concordia Moorhead with a Bachelor of Arts degree in exercise science and a 2007 graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Master of Arts degree in exercise physiology.  Aaron is also a Certified Exercise Physiologist from the American College of Sports Medicine, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Certified Personal Trainer from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. His daily work includes direct oversight of the Minneapolis campus Fitness Center operations and general oversight of the other Fitness Centers, program development, and program administrative duties. 

When asked what the one thing he is most excited about with the Walker Methodist fitness programs, he said:

“The growth of the fitness program at Walker Methodist has been very exciting to be a part of. When I came to Walker Methodist we had one fitness center and were in the process of developing Highview Hills, at the end of 2017 we will have five full fitness centers and two locations with satellite group exercise classes. Additionally, I was a staff of one, our staff has grown to four full-time staff members and group exercise contractors. We have added specialty programs such as the Parkinson’s exercise classes, tai chi, and yoga. The growth has certainly been exciting, with each new Fitness Center the opportunity to impact the lives of our members has grown as well. What the future potentially holds makes me even more excited and I feel lucky to be a part of a great organization.”

For questions about the Walker Methodist Minneapolis Fitness Center, contact Aaron Aslakson at (612) 827–8419.