Make 2017 the year you get fit!
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
If you’re among the millions of Americans aiming for a healthier and stronger 2017, remember that keeping your commitment to a program of physical exercise and balanced nutrition is much easier when you have the backing of family and friends. But if those closest to you aren’t ready to make the leap into a new lifestyle, you can find support by joining a gym and taking some fitness classes, which are usually populated with people sharing similar goals.
Training with a group can provide positive reinforcement and a fun atmosphere to keep you coming back. Curtis Boyd, owner of the Fitness World gym chain, says the combination of camaraderie and expert instruction can get a new fitness program off on the right foot. In exercise classes, new students can learn proper form (thereby decreasing chance of injury) and get valuable positive reinforcement from their classmates. And, says Boyd, good instructors will tailor the class demands to a student’s level of ability, so newbies shouldn’t worry about being embarrassed or overtaxed.
“Even in some of your harder, Boot Camp-style classes, you can start at any level. A person shouldn’t feel nervous about coming in, or fear not being able to do what everybody else does,” says Boyd. “Like in a Zumba class – it’s a hard workout and some people feel uncoordinated and have a hard time trying to keep up and learn the moves. But as they get in class and do it more, it all becomes more natural. Our instructors are really good about working with new members until they feel more comfortable.”
With several locations around the Pee Dee – including Darlington, Hartsville, and Florence – Fitness World’s class schedule offers something for everyone, with group training opportunities ranging from high-energy Zumba and Hip Hop dance to Kettlebell Fitness, step classes, running clubs, and spin cycling.
“All the classes can be done at different levels. You can even do a step class without a step, if you haven’t worked out in years. Or you might have one tiny step, and the girl beside you has six steps, but she’s doing the same workout you’re doing,” Boyd says.
Abilities vary in all fitness classes, and Boyd points out that while competition can be a great motivator, it’s important to stay focused on your own goals and build your fitness over time.
“In a spin class, you might have a guy beside you who went 25 miles, and you went 5, but you’re still side by side…and in a dark spin classroom, nobody knows,” he says. “It’s more of a self-evaluation sometimes. Just know that you don’t have to keep up with everybody.”
Fitness World provides more than just a training floor filled with modern exercise equipment. Boyd says his gyms strive to build a sense of fellowship among members, and that supportive atmosphere encourages students to clear early hurdles and stick with their exercise regime.
“We try and encourage them to do the classes, to get a trainer – all of that helps,” says Boyd, likening exercise instruction to learning new technology. “Sometimes you need someone to show you, so you can learn to do it the correct way.”
While Fitness World offers an array of aerobic training and flexibility classes, Boyd says he is encouraged by the surge of women pursuing strength training, evidenced by the very popular Kettlebell Fitness classes. Many studies have shown that weight-bearing exercise benefits women – particularly older women – in many ways, such as staving off osteoporosis by increasing bone density, improving stability (which decreases chances of falls and injury), decreasing body fat and improving metabolism, and lessening the pain of arthritis.
As for younger women, Boyd says many ladies are coming around to the idea that “strong is sexy,” and they needn’t be rail-thin waifs to feel attractive and confident.
“We’re seeing a lot more ladies doing resistance training and weight training,” says Boyd, noting that many of the old preconceptions about women and weightlifting have fallen away over time. “They’ve come to realize that if they lift weights, they’re not going to look like a man, they’re not going to bulk up. They will get muscle tone, and a lot of them are looking for that.”
Fitness World has locations in Darlington, Hartsville, Florence, Bethune, Bennettsville, and Cheraw. For a limited time, single memberships are available for $30 (reduced from $60) for the first month and $29.99 each month after; family accounts are $40 (reduced from $70) for the first month and $39.99 each month after. Memberships provide 24/7 access to all locations and all classes. There is no contract and you may cancel at any time.
For more information, visit them online at www.fitnessworldgyms.com or call (843) 206-4389.
Four Popular Types of Fitness Training
• Flexibility Training provides an excellent keystone to any fitness program by reducing injury risk, improving your range of motion, and getting you warmed up for more vigorous exercise. Popular flexibility programs include yoga, which also strengthens muscles, and Tai Chi, which helps improve balance and decrease stress.
• Strength Training programs like weightlifting, Kettlebells, and calisthenics strengthen muscles by adding resistance through range of motion exercises such as sit-ups, push-ups, bench presses and leg lifts.
• Aerobic Training benefits your cardiovascular system through high-intensity exercise like running, dancing, swimming, elliptical machines, etc. These exercises are typically performed for at least 15 minutes (with advanced sessions lasting over an hour) with the aim of sustaining your heart rate between 55 and 80 percent of your maximum heart rate for the session. You can calculate your max heart rate by visiting www.active.com/fitness/calculators/heartrate
• Circuit Training can incorporate elements of strength training, flexibility, and aerobics – and it’s a great way to stave off boredom if your normal routines have become old hat. Typically, a circuit training session involves brief periods (30 to 60 seconds) of varied and challenging exercises, with participants jogging from station to station to keep their heart rates elevated between sets.
