Michelle Peterson/Winonan

Gary Kastello, professor of health and exercise science, is a cancer survivor. He will lead Winona Survivors Unite in Exercise for all former cancer patients providing personal training and support starting in September on the Winona State University campus.

“We live one day at a time. It forces you to look at your life, smell the roses and enjoy each day,” Kastello said.

Winona Survivors Unite in Exercise is a free, 12-week program offered to help patients get back on track with fitness.

Returning program trainer Kelsey Andrist said, “After survivors beat cancer, they often don’t know where to start with getting back in shape.”

Winona Health and Gundersen Lutheran doctors were encouraged to refer their cancer patients to Winona Survivors Unite in Exercise. Undergraduate students studying movement science will work one-on-one with participants to create a customized exercise routine.

Trainers cover strength, endurance, flexibility and wellness. Yoga, Zumba and aerobics were introduced to the program last semester.

Sessions are at 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. A typical session will start with the trainers checking participants’ blood pressure and resting heart rate. Five minutes of warm-up, 15 minutes of cardio, 20 minutes practicing range of motion and 10 minutes of stretching as a group will follow.

Kastello, said it has both physical and psychological benefits for the participants. They improve their strength and range of motion, allowing them to complete activities of daily living more easily.

Kastello, being a survivor of cancer himself, relates to the participants personally. “It serves as a wonderful support group, as well as a rehab group,” Kastello said.

Kastello said there is a large social support aspect to the program because all participants have similar experiences. They are encouraged to share their story.

Andrist said her favorite part about being a trainer is the relationships she also develops with the survivors; she enjoys seeing the excitement in her patients when they see their improvement after a couple weeks of exercise.

Trainer of three semesters, Jenna Veldhuizen said she enjoys hearing the stories of how survivors positively deal with cancer. She is able to help people reach their goals by applying the knowledge she has learned in class.

“I had to learn to think on my feet. If they were not feeling well that day, I had to come up with a new plan,” Veldhuizen said. “It keeps you on your toes.”

“We’ll do everything we can to make you feel comfortable,” Veldhuizen said. All skill levels are accepted. “If it’s not your thing, there’s no pressure to keep coming.”

Trainers attend classes about cancer exercise for one month before the program starts, and many trainers participated in a cancer-exercise seminar.

The program is informal and open to the public. It meets twice a week in Integrated Wellness Center room 136. All cancer survivors are welcome but need approval from a doctor to ensure safe exercise. Those who are interested in joining can contact Kastello at [email protected] by Sept. 24.

Contact Michelle at [email protected]