Move Better Health and Performance Opening in Northbrook

Jeff Green | Dec 13, 2023

The loss of the BMO branch in Northbrook earlier this year was a blow to the local community. But it has not taken long for the former branch building to have found a new purpose, or more accurately, new purposes. At the south end, BMO has maintained an ATM for the local community, and the building's new owners, the mother-son real estate team of Denise and Cole Brundage have an office in the main building.

But most of the space has been transformed, in less than a month, into the new home of Move Better Health and Performance.

Mitch Broser, aka Dr. Mitch, to locals, has moved his chiropractic and rehab practice into the new space, after working out of the Lions Hall for the last two years. In addition to his treatment room, the Move Better Centre also has state-of-the-art fitness equipment to augment the services that he offers.

“It has been great to be able to use the Lions Centre for two years, and I have to thank the Lions Club for making it available. With a dedicated space like this, I can bring my practice to a new level,” said Broser.

The small gym, fitness centre space is also being used by fitness coach Sylvie Minaigre, who is offering 1-on-1 personal training, semi-private group training and group fitness classes.

“I have a capacity of 8 in this space for fitness classes,” Sylvie said, “and the good thing is that the classes work just as well for people who are just starting out as for people who have already been training for a long time. The workouts are tailored to all levels of fitness”

For Minaigre, working with people at their own level of fitness comes easily. It was how she was able to form a local running club, shortly after moving to the area, a couple of years ago, to a 100 acre property on Jacques Bay Road in 2021.

“When we started out some of the participants were walking, some were running, but we all kept at it and soon everyone was running. Now when someone comes out and is walking, others jump in and tell them 'I was just like you when I started'. So, when people say they need to get into better shape before coming out to fitness class, I tell them not to wait, they will get in shape by coming out and moving,” she said.

They had been planning to build a centre at their property, where the North of 7 Challenge Obstacle Course Race takes place each year, but when the space in Northbrook became available, they jumped at it and have been working non-stop ever since, with a goal of transforming a bank branch into a fitness centre in one month.

“Everything went well, and we went all out purchasing the best equipment, but there were some obstacles to be overcome,” said Broser.

One of those was the bank safe the BMO left behind. But with help from some burly volunteers, the safe was moved.

“It took four of us about two hours to move the safe about six feet, and get it out of the building. Once it was there, we could scoop it up with a backhoe and take it away” said Broser. “Moving the safe was the hardest part of the project.”

Now that thwe space is ready, Mitch has started seeing clients and Syvlie has run a few fitness classes.

The Official Grand Opening is taking place this Saturday, December 16.

Move Better Health and Performance will be hosting its grand opening on Saturday, December 16th. The day will start with two classes, 9 am Strength and Cardio with Sylvie, and 10:30 am Kinstretch with Mitch Broser.

An Open House follows between 12 noon and 2 pm, and there will be refreshments and some fun fitness challenges and prizes.

All are welcome to come out and get ready to Move Better.

For information about chiropractic services, group and 1-on-1 training opportunities, go to movebetterhp.com