WORK OUT—Ty Cannaday, Madison Orton and Mookie Miller show some of their core strength routines that they do at the Alleghany Wellness Center in Sparta.ball, doing gymnastics and playing games outside with her dad.

Youths tout benefits of Wellness Center activities

Alleghany Wellness Center opened its doors five-and-a-half years ago to give people of Alleghany and the surrounding area the opportunity to better themselves through exercise.

Three youth who have benefited from the local facility recently shared their stories of success through help with the Wellness Center.

Ty Cannaday

Ty Cannaday, 13-year-old son of Todd and Kris Cannaday in Virginia, began coming to the Alleghany Wellness Center last year. His father is a real estate agent and his mother is a teacher. Ty's hobbies include fishing, weightlifting, basketball and baseball. With a big grin, Ty pointed out that his grandfather, Ed Goodson, played in the major leagues for the Dodgers, the Giants and the Braves.

"I came here because I wanted to get stronger and faster for basketball and baseball." As a result, Ty stated participation in a core-strengthening course has "made me a lot faster and stronger. In basketball, I'm point guard and I get it up a lot faster (and) easier."

Speaking of the changes Cannaday has experienced since coming to the facility on a regular basis, he stated, "I feel better about myself. My coaches noticed a difference; that was I was lot bigger and stronger. They said to keep doing (core training) because it's working."

When asked what keeps him coming back to the center, Ty commented, "You see the results and just keep wanting more…(you want) to see how you can keep improving."

Of the Wellness Center, Ty added, "It's a nice place; you've got everything you want to do—run, strength training, just anything…."

Mookie Miller

Sparta sixth grader Mookie Miller has been coming to Alleghany Wellness on a regular basis since last October. She is the daughter of Alleghany Commissioner Randy Miller and Donna Miller, who is presently employed at Fifth Third Bank.

"I got started here because I wanted to build up my upper body strength for volleyball," recalled Mookie. "Now I can get the ball over the net consistently with it, that's how much it's helped me. I wanted to lose a little bit of weight too." Thus far, she has lost 11 pounds.

She commented she started coming to the Wellness Center alongside her dad, who spent his time running indoors. After a few months, she began getting off the school bus and headed to the core strengthening class to join friends Kiko Kawagoye and Jessica Gentry. At the start of the school year, Mookie's friends have sport team obligations and have not been able to attend the class on a regular basis.

Speaking of results she has experienced from the class, Mookie remarked, "It really built up my upper body strength. As I said, the ball will go over the net every time now and it wouldn't ever get four feet in front of me…"

Of reactions of friends and teammates, she commented, "My friends have said some things when I went to volleyball camp, like ‘Your ball's going over a lot better.' Some of them have noticed they say, have you lost weight or something; they say stuff like that."

Mookie continues coming to the Wellness Center in hopes of continuing to get stronger.

When asked what she would say to friends considering coming to the Wellness Center, Mookie replied, "I would just tell them to come on and join me; the more the merrier."

Madison Orton

Madison Orton is the 13-year-old daughter of Wellness Director Ted Orton and Alleghany Memorial Hospital employee Wendy Orton. In her spare time, the Virginia resident enjoys playing softball and basketball, as well as spending time outdoors and doing weight training.

Her father being the director of the facility aside, Madison said she started coming to the facility last year because "I wanted to get stronger. Now I can throw the softball much easier and I can do it harder. In basketball, I can shoot better, and I am faster."

In addition to improving her speed and increasing her strength, Madison commented she has also lost weight in the process. Like Ty and Mookie, Madison has also received words of encouragement from her sport coaches, noting she has improved her game, in part because of her participation in the core strengthening class.

When asked what she would say to anyone considering participating in the class, Madison replied, "I would tell them at first it's hard, but once you get used to it, you will definitely get stronger and get better in sports."

Core Strengthening

The youth credit their success in the health arena to core strengthening classes they take part in three times a week. The class began in early September last year.

According to the youths, the class consists of working with small weights, an athletic ball on which individuals learn to maintain their balance and "lots" of jumping.

Ty, Mookie and Madison smiled and laughed as they recalled their first experience with the core strengthening class of which they are now nothing short of professionals.

With a shy smile, Ty stated, "I had a little bit of trouble getting out of bed (after) the first time; it was kind of hard, (but) it was good after that." Sitting on an athletic ball during the course of the interview, he remarked, "It improves your balance as well as your upper body strength; it works on everything."

Madison chuckled, "The first time I did (the core class) I was very, very sore after and when I did it again, I was better…" Laughing, she added, "I was walking like a grandma…"

The youth then spoke of their instructor the course, Director Ted Orton.

"Ted is great," said Mookie. "…he's not like a drill sergeant."

"He really makes you want to do it…it's like he's training us," commented Ty.

Madison added, "Usually when people yell at you, you don't want to do it." She pointed out individuals get better results from instructors who are speaking calmly and reminding participants, "You can do it if you want to, but if you don't, you won't get stronger."

Mookie agreed, stating, "He doesn't get up there and grunt and tell you what to do. He sits on his ball and watches you." She and Ty noted that each individual would be at a different level, doing different activities at their own pace. Mookie explained, "The first time you go there, he will tell you what to do and he helps you. As you do it more, you start adding harder stuff in" including lunges and jumps.

Background on Wellness

The start of Alleghany Wellness Center dates back to its incorporation in May 1996, after six area citizens expressed a desire to create a wellness and recreation center.

Four years later, a total of 16.3 acres was purchased on Collins Road in Sparta and a 25,000 square foot facility was subsequently constructed. It includes a six-lane indoor pool, a therapy pool, an indoor walking tract, a fitness and aerobic area, as well as a multipurpose room, demonstration kitchen, assessment room and office spaces.

Joe Potts was named the facility's director in September 2003, prior to its official March 2004 opening. He left The Wellness Center in mid-April 2008 to pursue another employment opportunity. Shortly thereafter, Virginia resident Ted Orton accepted the vacated position.

Alleghany Wellness Center a variety of classes along with core strengthening including a spin class (in which bicycles are utilized), a Zumba Class (which incorporates Latin music with Latin dances), as well as yoga and water classes (including aerobics, therapy and deep water).

The Alleghany Wellness Center is open Mondays through Thursdays from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., Fridays from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.alleghanywellnesscenter.com, visit 508 Collins Rd., or call 372-2944.