Posts filed under ‘Uncategorized’
How Fit Is Your City?
The American College of Sports Medicine just released its annual ranking of fittest U.S. cities, with Washington, D.C. in the top slot. (Looks like Michelle Obama and her super-toned arms are in the right place.) The index looked at the country’s 50 most populated ciites and ranked them using a number of criteria, including the percentage of people who exercise regularly and the availability of parks and routes to walk on. Some of the cities are surprising — check out the full list here.
Where’s Kim?
Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. Body Sculpt and 7:30 p.m. Cardio Mix at ExCel
Wednesday: Intro Step/Step I class at 7 p.m. at Feminine Fitness
Thursday: 5:15 a.m. Do The Du II small group training, followed by 6:30 a.m. Step at Feminine Fitness; 6:30 p.m. Studio Sampler at New York Sports Club Butler
Memorial Day schedule changes
Hey all – here’s a heads-up regarding various north Jersey gyms and their Memorial Day schedule changes:
Feminine Fitness: Closed Monday
Excel: No classes Monday
Palisades Sports And Fitness: Gym open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, but no classes
New York Sports Club Parisppany: No 9 a.m. step Sunday (for other schedule changes, call the club: 973.971.0303)
New York Sports Club Butler: Regularly scheduled classes (but it’s always good to check, so call the club: 973.838.1140)
Have a great holiday!
It’s Not Father’s Day Yet, But…
It’s never a bad time for an inspiring story. So when you have a minute, check out Team Hoyt. This father-son team participates in marathons and triathlons and turns in awesome times. So it’s an extra kick in the head when you realize that the dad, Dick, pushes or pulls his adult son, Rick — who can’t walk or talk — along every inch of every course.
I’m a big fan of Team Hoyt and I’ve sung their praises in the past, so I’ll just point you toward their site and let you see for yourself. Because everyone needs a little inspiration every now and then…
A Plus Side To Plus-Size Classes?
Part of what I love about great group fitness classes — the really good ones where everyone puts out positive energy, you get a good sweat going and you’re proud of yourself when you’re done — is their inclusive nature. It doesn’t matter if you’re new. It doesn’t matter if you’re klutzy. It doesn’t matter if you’re skinny, round, ugly or broke. Everyone supports each other and we all end up happier in the end.
So I’m not sure what to think about the practice described in this New York Times story. There’s a growing niche of yoga studios that cater to heavy people — which is awesome — but some of them won’t allow anyone BUT overweight people into the classes. Their argument is that people of a certain size feel more comfortable when everyone around them looks like them, and that the instructors are better equipped to teach the modifications that these plus-size yogis need.
As someone who has definitely been the biggest girl in the room during yoga classes, I understand the embarrassment that comes from huffing and puffing your way through a pose while the wet noodle on the mat next to you effortlessly ties herself into a pretzel. But I think part of the whole deal is getting over yourself by focusing on the movement and the good stuff you’re doing for your body instead of what size shorts the person next to you is wearing. By choosing to make classes for plus-size students only, doesn’t that hinder arrival of the “it just doesn’t matter” moment?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, faithful Haulers…
Drop The Gun, Take The Protein Shake
The Associated Press today has a story about the growing popularity of gyms in Iraq. My favorite quote? One gym owner’s advice to his pistol-packing clientele. “I tell them no firearms in my gym and ask that they immediately take them out. They can keep them in their cars, but not in my gym.”
(That’s pretty good advice in any health-club, FYI.)
Music To Your Ears
When the right song hits at the exact right time in your workout, you’re on fire. You’re faster, stronger and better than you’ve been all day. It doesn’t matter if what gets you pumped is AM Gold rock or hard-core rap: Good music equals a good time. I have a “Running” playlist on my iPod, and some songs are great for some days while others are perfect for others. Below, some of my favorites (in no particular order):
Galvanize — The Chemical Brothers
Up — Shania Twain
This Dreadful Life — Kay Hanley
Truckin’ — The Grateful Dead
The Way You Make Me Feel — Michael Jackson
Hip Hop Hooray — Naughty By Nature
The Choice Is Yours — Black Sheep
Say A Little Prayer For You — Aretha Franklin (all the love in the world for Dionne Warwick, but I like ReRe’s version better)
Best Of My Love — The Emotions
Dani California — Red Hot Chili Peppers
Goodbye Earl — The Dixie Chicks
I’m Coming Out — Diana Ross
Could You Be Loved — Bob Marley & The Wailers
Sunday Bloody Sunday — U2
But enough about me. Leave a comment and tell us about the workout songs you can’t do without? The weirder, the better!
Where’s Kim?
I’m off Wednesday, but maybe we’ll see each other at one of these other classes this week?
Monday: 6:15 p.m. Arm Strength, 7 p.m. AbSolution and 7:45 p.m. Step at Palisades Sports & Fitness
Tuesday: 6:30 Body Sculpt and 7:30 Cardio Mix at ExCel
Wednesday: Yvonne graciously covers my Intro Step/Step I class at 7 p.m. at Feminine Fitness
Thursday: 6:30 a.m. Step at Feminine Fitness; 6:30 p.m. Studio Sampler at New York Sports Club Butler
Sunday: 9 a.m. Step at New York Sports Club Parsippany
Have a great week, everyone!
It’s A Group Thing: Do The Du Outdoors!
All of this warm weather (and a chat with Stephanie, one of the cool chicks who visits Haul Buns!) has inspired me: My next small group training will be Do The Du Outdoors! We’ll do a half-hour Spinning ride on the bikes inside Feminine Fitness, then 20 minutes of walking/running work in the area surrounding the gym — just like a duathlon! Ten minutes of cool-down and stretching will finish off the 60-minute class. You’ll burn calories, build endurance and have a great time in the great outdoors while you do it! The six-week session will meet at 5:15 a.m. Thursdays (May 21 & 28, June 4, 11, 18 and 25). Cost is $60, no cancellations or refunds. For more information, or to sign up, contact Kim by mailing haulbuns AT gmail.com (I’m not writing out the address, because I’ll get too much junk e-mail!).
Space is limited! Sign up now!
Recession Fitness: Who Needs New Equipment?
Another sign of our troubled financial times: More and more people are making do with their squeaky treadmills.
Haul Buns 