FITNESS TRENDS
Spring FitneSS
Craze
fresh air and sunshine while you work your muscles. This is the ideal exercise for those who can’t tolerate high impact exercise such as running. You will see results. Your body will become longer, leaner and stronger, and more flexible and your posture will improve. Additionally, your mental health will benefit as you learn to breathe and relax.
by Bonne Marano-Marcus Spring is here and it’s time to get back into shape. Keep in mind fitness doesn’t have to be all work, it can also be fun. There are so many forms of fitness to choose from. The key to keeping it fun is to mix it up. Here are a few of my favorites. TaBaTa - Described as “courageous, dynamic, group fitness class that’s scientifically proven to enhance overall physical strength, challenge tenacity, and dramatically transform the body in weeks.” I love it! I’m a little biased though because I teach it. The class is made up of several intervals that include 20 seconds of intense exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest repeated 8 times for a total of 4 minutes per interval. Intense doesn’t adequately describe it. It’s more like 240 seconds of h*ll. Well except the ten seconds you get to rest. Exercises range from lunges off a step while doing biceps curls, to push-ups, to squats with shoulder presses and more using every piece of equipment imaginable; everything from, medicine balls and dumbbells to kettle bells, Bosus and bands.
Say OM! - Yoga can be practiced year round, inside or outside, as long as you have a mat. It’s spring – time to pull on your eco friendly yoga wear in fresh spring colors and take your routine outdoors so that you can absorb the 16
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JOin The Craze! - Zumba® is now being taught at over 50,000 locations in 75 countries, with an astonishing 6 million participants taking Zumba classes every week. Why? It’s a workout camouflaged as a dance party. Created by celebrity fitness trainer, “Beto” Perez, in the mid-‘90s it combines easy to follow routines with the Latin rhythms of salsa, merengue, hip-hop and more that will blow you away. Zumba is the kind of cardio workout that makes it to get in shape. The best part is that you don’t even need to know how to dance. BOnd wiTh FidO! (my dog is Zoe) Combine your dog walking duties with an exercise routine ideal for the two of you. If neither of you have been as active as you should be, start with three days per week for an hour and work your way up to five days per week. Select a location that has a semi-soft ground to protect your exercise partner’s paws. Dog-permitted parks, wooded trails, beaches or quiet grass fields are the most suitable places to exercise together. One caveat; before jumping into a strict exercise regimen, it is important to check with your vet to make certain your dog is up for the task. • Bonne Marano-Marcus Personal Trainer and author of “The Complete Bride’s Workout Guide”. bonnemarcus@gmail.com