What is Cardio

JOHNSTOWN – The beat of Rachel Bruckman’s drum as she stood outside the Fulton?County Court House dressed as a Revolutionary War era drummer boy kept joggers at a steady pace Saturday in the first ever Johnson Jog 5k Run and Walk.

Runners and walkers alike paced themselves along a 5-kilometer loop of the city taking them past historic sites manned by re-enactors.

What could be more motivating than battlecries from a member of the 1st Canadian Regiment, the warm cheer of a Colonial mother or a waive from a Confederate Civil War soldier?

“It’s wonderful. I got cold chills just seeing all the people old and young – people of all sizes and shapes – it’s really inspirational,” said Bruckman, of Gloversville.

A cannon blast announced the beginning of the 5k as the runners raced down Hall Avenue, which was closed to traffic, and on to Route 29 past the Drumm House.

The route took participants up South William Street, across Second Avenue, down South Perry Street, over West Clinton Street and back to South William were they made their way back to Johnson Hall.

Along the way re-enactors were stationed at Johnson Hall, the Drumm House, the Court House, Jimmy Burke Inn, Old Fort, St. John’s Church and the library.

The Court house is the only Colonial Court House still in use today.

“This is really great,” said Bruckman, a frequent reenactor. “A lot of people don’t really know the Revolutionary War was fought right here, or that independence was fought for in their hometown.”

At the Drumm House, city historian Noel Levee was stationed at the Drumm House dressed as a First Canadian Regiment soldier in honor of Col. James Livingston, who commanded the 1st Canadian Regiment and is buried at the Colonial Cemetery next to the Drumm House.

Livingston, Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s grandfather, raised the 1st Canadian Regiment which supported Colonial efforts in the invasion of Quebec.

“It was pretty fantastic. We got a lot of good feedback from folks,” event coordinator Ron Robinson said.

The event was sponsored by the Friends of Johnson Hall with proceeds going toward other community events this year, such as the Market Fair and Mettawee River Theatre Company production in the coming months.

Robinson said more than 200 runners and walkers registered. He estimated the event raised about $3,500.

“We didn’t expect that many people,” Robinson said. “We were really pleased they showed up.”

Gigi Edwards was urged by a friend to register for her first 5-kilometer event.

“To prepare we went to the YMCA three times a week and walked during lunch hours,” Edwards said.

Lisa Lorman of Amsterdam jogs socially with friends in the morning for a social gathering that keeps her in shape.

She’s been to quite a few 5k races, but never one like the Johnson Jog.

“I think this is a really great event with the history,” Lorman said.

The race began at 9 a.m. The first runner finished in 17 minutes and 37 seconds.

Cannons were fired by Revolutionary War era soldiers when the first runner hit the midway point, and when the first runner returned.

T-shirts depicting Johnson Hall and the city’s historic markers peeking out from the structure’s sides was the culmination of three Johnstown High School students’ artwork. Each student was paid $50 and given a free T-shirt.

“Anytime you can do something that involves the community like this, with schools and businesses, it’s just good for everybody,” Robinson said.

Amanda Whistle covers Gloversville news. She can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com

Article source: http://www.leaderherald.com/page/content.detail/id/547229.html

Submitted by Sherry Jackson, Associate Director

Wouldn’t it be great if exercise were fun? Discover Zumba, an exciting dance-fitness program that’s more of a party than a workout.

Enjoy Latin-inspired music as you pump your legs, swing your hips, clap your hands and achieve a blended balance of cardio-and muscle-toning benefits in the process. Best of all, you can enjoy the Zumba experience even if you don’t know how to dance. Get fit. Have fun!

This four-week class will be offered at Christ Episcopal Church on Thursdays beginning June 7 at 10 a.m. Cost is $16, due at the first class (cash or check made out to “Friends of the Needham Elderly” or F.O.N.E.). Registration is required; to sign up, call 781-455-7555.

Instructor Louise Carbone has taught at the Newton and Waltham senior centers, the West Newton YMCA and Lesley. In addition to her certification in Zumba, Carbone has a triple black belt in Kenpo karate.

Students have said: “Our Zumba class with Louise was great. She realized most of us were new to Zumba so she took it real slow, introducing us to new, basic dance moves yet making it challenging enough so we got a great workout and also had fun.”

Please note: Depending on interest, this class will be offered on an ongoing basis.

THIS WEEK AND COMING UP

These programs are going on this week at the Stephen Palmer Senior Center or require registration this week. To sign up, call the Senior Center at 781-455-7555.

• Weekly Flicks—Watch “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952) on Friday, May 25 and “The Purple Rose of Cairo” (1985) on Friday, June 1 at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. Friday Flicks are free, and there is no sign-up required. 
• Monday’s Lunch Bunch—Try someplace new, socialize and enjoy a good meal with Monday’s Lunch Bunch. The group meets at the Senior Center at 11:30 a.m. to board a van to the lunch destination. Coming up: A trip to Bamboo in Dedham on Monday, June 4 and a trip to Corrib Pub in West Roxbury on Monday, June 11. A suggested donation of $5 will be collected on the van. Participants also pay the cost of their meals.
• Book Review with Gail Rice—Monday, May 21, 1 p.m. Come discuss the book, “Clara and Mr. Tiffany,” by Susan Vreeland. This novel is based on the letters of Clara Driscoll, the leading light of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s women’s studio. There is no sign-up or fee for this event.
• Shred-A-Thon by Appointment—Looking to get rid of old papers but don’t just want to toss them in the trash? The Senior Center will host a shred-a-thon in the parking lot on Thursday, May 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call to schedule a drop-off appointment. The first box of paper to be shredded is free; each additional box costs $5.
• State Rep. Denise Garlick Office Hours—Come talk with State Representative Denise Garlick about any questions or concerns on Monday, June 4 from 10:45-11:45 a.m. at the Senior Center. There is no need to sign up.
• It’s Friday Entertainment Live with Miyuki Otani—Friday, June 8, 1:30 p.m. Ms. Miyuki Otani, classical pianist, will present a concert of Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus, Claude Debussy and Alexander Scriabin. Otani was born in Japan where she began playing the piano at the age of three. She earned her Master’s of Music at the Boston Conservatory, winning the Concerto Competition award. She also performed as a soloist with the Boston Conservatory Orchestra at Faneuil Hall. She was featured live on Boston’s Fox Channel 25 morning news with renowned tenor, Carl Tucker. Currently, Otani’s primary residence is in San Jose, CA where she lives with her husband and to-year-old daughter Karen. Sign-up is required. There is no fee for this program.

FRIENDS’ JUNE TRIP: GARDNER MUSEUM AND LUNCH

By popular request: Come join the Friends of the Needham Elderly to see the new multi-million dollar expansion of the Isabella Stewart Gardner by Renzo Piano on Wednesday, June 20. The guided tour will include the Gardner Museum and the beloved Landscape, featuring the historic courtyard and the beautiful landscaping of the new wing. On site also will be three floors of galleries filled with paintings, sculpture, tapestries, furniture and decorative arts, all surrounding a blooming courtyard designed for all seasons. Cost is $65 (includes all tips).

Lunch will be included first at the popular Venezia on the Waterfront Restaurant. Choose from delicious Haddock, Chicken Parmigiana or Steak Tips. Coach departs at 10:30 a.m. from Linden Chambers, Linden St., Needham and 10:45 a.m. from the Senior Center. Coach returns at about 4:15-4:45 p.m. 

For reservations, call the Trip Desk at 781-455-7555, ext. 209, (full payment upon reservation). Please specify lunch choice and make checks payable to “FONE” and mail to Needham Senior Center, 83 Pickering St., Needham, MA 02492. (No refunds if cancellation is received within 10 days prior to departure, unless a replacement can be found.)

The group needs 30 passengers to operate, so sign up now to avoid disappointment!

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

Are you fed up with your increasing weight? Do you reach for food when you’re bored, tired, stressed, or anxious, instead of when you’re hungry? This program will teach you how to make doable lifestyle changes to achieve your weight-loss goals. The five-week support group will be led by Pearl Pressman, a Certified Weight Management Consultant, who has lost more than 100 pounds. Pressman is a member of the National Weight Loss Registry and has worked as a Weight Watchers group leader. Sessions will be held on Mondays beginning May 21 from 12:45-1:45 p.m. Cost is $20, due at the first class. To sign up, call the Needham Senior Center at 781-455-7555.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

• Lunch and Learn Lecture “Meditation Techniques for Beginners”—Wednesday, May 30, noon, at the Senior Center. Mary Jo Ricketson, BS, MS, will lead this lecture in honor of National Meditation Month. Learn how to begin and sustain a meditation practice that will allow you to experience many benefits including deep restful sleep, reduced stress, increased energy, decreased heart rate, breathing rate, muscle tension, and blood pressure. There is no fee for this program. Sign-up is required. Call 781-455-7555.
• Art Class for All Levels—Mondays, June 4 and 25, 9-10:30 a.m. at the Senior Center. Students should bring their own materials and ideas for projects. Each student will work on projects of their own choosing with guidance and suggestions from the instructor, Ramune Jauniskis. All levels are welcome. To sign up, contact Sherry at 781-455-7555. Fee is $8 for both classes.
• Art History: The Art of Illusions and M.C. Escher—Wednesday, June 6, 10:30 a.m. at Avery Crossings. The hand is quicker than the eye. Come take a look at the tricks of the art world from Da Vinci and Anamorphic art to Op art and the Magic Eye. This program will take a special look at the work of M.C. Escher, a Dutch graphic artist who was a master of the paradox, the tessellation, the dodecahedron, and grand manipulator of the basic laws of nature. There is no fee or sign-up required for this program.
• Lunch and Learn Lecture: “Pain Management in the Older Adult”—Wednesday, June 6, 11:30 a.m. at the Needham Senior Center. What causes pain and why do I have to experience it? Is it just an unpleasant part of aging? Am I the only one experiencing it? What can I do to stop it? (Hint: the answer to 3 is No!) The answer to these, and more will be shared in this presentation including: the definition of pain, myths debunked, what modern and alternative medicine can do to treat it, and how to be proactive about your own pain. There is no fee for this program. Sign-up is required; call 781-455-7555.

DANCE AND EXERCISE CLASSES

Get fit and learn something new with Council on Aging dance and exercise classes. Sign up in advance by calling 781-455-7555. Payment is due at the first class.

• Line Dancing Class—This five-week course will be held on Mondays, beginning May 21, from 12-1 p.m. at The First Baptist Church. Cost is $20. Instructor is Manny Correia.
• Senior Strength Exercise Class—This five-week course will be held on Mondays, beginning May 21, at 10:15 a.m. at the Senior Center. Cost is $20. Instructor is Pearl Pressman.
• Ballroom Dancing: “Swing”—This four-week class will be held on Tuesdays, beginning June 5, at 2 p.m. at the YMCA on Chestnut Street. Cost is $16. Instructor is Betty Hood.Please wear shoes that allow movement on a wood floor—not rubber soles.
• The Walking Club—If you walk two to four miles, a couple of days a week, then this walking club is for you. The walks are designed to offer variety. Participants will have an opportunity to walk with other walking clubs and explore trails outside the local area, with transportation provided. Upcoming walks include: Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Friday, May 25 and Wellesley College’s path around the pond on Friday, June 1.

DIABETES 101

• Diabetes Self-Management: An Evidence-Based Program—Thursday, June 7 at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. This is an informational session to give individuals the details about an upcoming six-week workshop that will begin the following week in June. This is a chance to have questions answered. Individuals will also have an opportunity to register for the class at this session. Sign-up is required. There is no fee for this program.
• Diabetes Self-Management Workshop—Six-week workshop begins June 14 at 1 p.m. This program is grant-funded and there is no fee required. This workshop is for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or for people living with or caring for someone with diabetes. Participants will learn how to care for themselves and to prevent or delay the complications of diabetes. The emphasis is on healthy eating, meal planning, and physical exercise. Other topics include blood sugar monitoring and dealing with low blood sugar, foot care, how to deal with difficult emotions, stress, and depression, relaxation techniques, how to communicate better with your doctor, family and friends, keeping track of medications, and planning for the future. Participants will receive a copy of the book, “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions.”

NEW GROUPS FORMING

• Singers wanted—If you can read music or can carry a tune, join this new group meeting on Tuesday afternoons from 12:45-1:45 p.m. at the Senior Center. Fred Shaw will lead the group in song and will provide the lyrics to songs old and new. Shaw said that his interest in music sprang from listening to barbershop and leaning to harmonize certain tunes. Shaw has performed for a wide variety of locations and audiences; however, he may be best known for his role as “Ring Master” of the mid-1960s television show “Bozo the Clown.” No audition required. Sign up is appreciated in order to have enough song sheets for all to participate. Call the Senior Center at 781-455-7555 to sign up.
• Low-Vision Support Group—The Low-Vision Support Group meets at the Senior Center on the third Friday of every month. The group provides an opportunity for newly blind and visually impaired persons to come together to discuss issues relating to their vision loss. The group addresses topics about how to use specialized equipment in the home or on the job; how to maintain independence, aging and vision loss, or the effects of vision loss on family and friends. If you need a ride, call the Senior Center at 781-455-7555

TRY SOMETHING NEW

• Computer Lessons—The Council on Aging offers computer lessons on Thursday afternoons by appointment. Those who would like to learn about computers in a one-on-one session with an instructor are invited to these classes. Lessons are offered on Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. (by appointment). There is no fee for this class. To make a 45-minute appointment, call the COA at 781-455-7555.
• Creative Writing Group—The COA writing group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Senior Center. All are welcome, and sign-up is not required. This writing group is for all levels. The class is not about using proper grammar. It is about capturing memories or stories on paper and most of all having fun. The class is facilitated by a published writer.

Article source: http://needham.patch.com/articles/what-s-new-at-the-senior-center-zumba

New Live DJ-Fueled Barre fusion Classes Lift, Tone and Burn Fat Throughout Fast-Paced, Low-Impact Cardio-Intensive Workout

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PASADENA, Calif., May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — Rock It Workouts (www.RockItWorkouts.com), the highly acclaimed fitness studio where every class rocks to the beats of a live DJ with Star Trainers – today kicks off a brand new take on barre-based workouts with the official launch of Barre Fly, a new barre fusion class designed to burn fat and increase your metabolism while toning, sculpting and leaning out your muscles. Preview classes of Barre Fly have quickly spread the word about this high-energy fitness experience, which will be offered 7 days a week, morning and evenings at the Pasadena studios.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120518/CG08922)

“We’ve had an incredible response to our workouts already because we treat each class as if it is an event, we really ROCK IT each and every class. We’ve got a DJ spinning in the corner all day long, and our trainers use the music-fueled energy to bring incredible energy to each class,” said Nicole Winnaman, founder of Rock It Workouts. “When we developed our barre program, we knew that it had to be an incredible variation of the best barre and pilates exercises combined with an incredible cardio fusion.  It’s the combination in our barre fly workouts that has everyone “obsessed” with this workout!  Every class has a twist that works different muscles to mix up the workouts, The classes have been a smash hit right from the start.”

Barre Fly utilizes intense balletic movements to lengthen and tone, while low-impact, fast cardio exercises simultaneously sweat and burn away the layers of fat. Results include increased endurance and core strength as well as a much slimmer physique.

“Everyone is having such a good time during the Barre Fly workout. Our members take one class and then show up to the next one with their mother, their sister or their best friend in tow,” said (Christina Schuller, Barre Fly Instructor). “Everyone leaves feeling upbeat, empowered and feeling fit, It’s addicting! It’s a workout where everyone asks  you “what are you doing” because it kicks your booty, IT WORKS! You see and feel immediate results!”  said Nicole Winnaman, founder of Rock it Workouts.

For more information or a class schedule, please visit: www.RockItWorkouts.com.

About Rock It Brands

Rock It Brands is a lifestyle company whose focus is to inspire, energize and motivate people into committing to a healthy, social-conscious life. Launched in April 2011 by uber-successful entertainment industry branding executive Nicole Winnaman, it is the parent company to such brands as Rock It Workouts (www.RockItWorkouts.com), tea bar Blend 54 (www.Blend54.com) and luxury retailer Industry 1212 (www.Industry1212.com) , as well as Rock It Entertainment.

About Rock It Workouts

Rock It Workouts is a fitness center that offers high-energy, upbeat workouts entirely set to the beats spun live by on-site DJs. With daily classes that focus on cardio wellness, toning and shaping, yoga, weight training and more, Rock It Workouts offers something for young to old and at all fitness levels. Based in a stunning 6000 square-foot space designed for luxury, form and style, the Rock It Workout Studios are located at 54 West Green Street in Pasadena, CA.

For more information:
Sophia Paliov
Arora PR for Rock It Brands
Sophia@AroraPR.com
Ph: 949.525.5022

Media Contact:

sophia paliov Arora PR, 9495250522, sophia@arorapr.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Rock It Workouts

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Article source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/las-hottest-new-workout-studio-rock-it-workouts-gets-super-fly-with-barre-fly-152008515.html

INDORE: Caught between irregular duty hours and burdened with a host of household chores at home, working out at gym has become as a perfect way out for the employed women in the city to keep them mentally and physically energised.

Amidst office work, managing home and taking care of their children, women professionals in the city find it difficult to devote time for physical fitness and personal matters. Vibha Sood, a professional, believes that after joining the gym, she feels refreshed. A few years back, shopping was her priority, but now she never fails to make it to the health club. “Workout at the health club has helped me gain stamina. I workout everyday for at least an hour. Also, it helps me stay fit,” she says.

Another professional, Sharmila Bidwai, says, “In order to put in my best at workplace, I need to be energised and gym is the best means to do so. It helps me stay fit and feel energetic.”

Gyms and fitness centres across the city witnessed a rise in the membership of working women, housewives and students. Apart from guidance for regular workout, the health clubs offer other services including fitness programmes, yoga, power yoga and aerobics.

Until a few years ago, there were only a few a few working women, who frequented a health club to burn the extra fat. However, the situation has changed today. With the fact that the city’s leading gyms are registering around 30% participation from the women folk, particularly when it comes to activities like fitness and power yoga.

Dr Khushboo Agrawal, general manager of an up-market gym in the city, says, “We have around 40-50% female members in all three branches of our gym. Women show a greater interest in power yoga, aerobics, kettle bell training and cardio training programmes. Other than professionals, housewives and students and even elderly women too show a greater inclination towards cardio training.”

Other than staying physically fit, women also join health clubs to tone up their bodies and recover from back and knee injuries. Sonal Godha, marketing manager of a gym at C 21 mall, says “College going girls often come here to get toned and have a perfect figure. While working women and housewives want to stay fit and increase bodily strength.”

Piyu Jain, a medical student, often feels lethargic and physically inactive after extended study hours and college timings. “Gymming has made me active and it also helps me maintain a good figure.” she says. While Sonali Jain, who is a housewife, believes that workout at gym makes her look younger.

Dr Mohit Bhandari, a gastrointestinal and laparoscopic surgeon, considers it necessary for people to impart healthy living habits along with going to a gym. Healthy diet, sound sleeping, meditation and controlled intake of alcohol will help people keep physically fit.

“For people with body mass index (BMI) of less than 30, working out in gym will help them stay fit. But for those, who have BMI above 30, excessive workout may result in diseases like arthritis,” he says.

Personal trainers and the concept of happy hours that comprise afternoon hours and promises a discount of 20%, in most gyms and fitness centres across the city have given a further boost to workout among women.

Happy Hours

Most up-market gyms in the city have introduced the concept of happy hours wherein both women and men can apply for gym memberships for a discounted rates and work out in afternoon hours.

Article source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/More-city-eves-workout-at-gym-to-keep-body-mind-healthy/articleshow/13310424.cms

You can almost feel it in the air. Summer is on its way. All the schools are gearing up for the final days and weeks until the end of term or graduation. Even if you don’t have children in school, something about late spring and the approaching Memorial Day Weekend  makes us want to slow down, head off for the beach, the lake, or the mountains for a hike.  Even our clients and customers are busily talking about and preparing for their summer vacations, out-of-town guests, and holiday and summer activities. At the very time you might want to slow down, I’m reminded of Sr. Claudine, the Elementary School Principal at St. Andrew School in Pasadena. Whenever we teachers got spring fever, Sr. Claudine would caution us with words that went something like this:

“Just when you feel like easing up and taking your foot off the gas, that’s the time you need to try even harder to keep your routine, stick to your goals, maintain a schedule, and “tend to your knitting.”
She was referring to not letting down our guard with the students near the last month or so of classes.  Those of us who work from our home offices, however, have to maintain our schedules as well. During winter when the weather is not as nice as spring, it’s sometimes hard to tear ourselves away from our work. Once spring has sprung however, there are so many temptations that call us away from our work.  Here are five ways to maintain your productivity, take advantage of the spring weather, and still get a lot accomplished.

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First, set a schedule for yourself, lining up work tasks, tasks related to home maintenance, and tasks related to your own health and fitness. For example, build in rest stops and time to go outdoors for regular breaks. Building balance into your schedule, and posting that schedule where you see it, helps maintain harmony.

Second, follow your own body clock, and organize your work, exercise, breaks, and socializing around what works best for you. If you are better with intensive focus in the mornings, schedule your most taxing work at that time. However, if afternoons or evenings are better for you, plan accordingly. Alternate activity with sedentary tasks. Prepare light, healthy snacks that you can eat during breaks, and keep a pitchur of iced water on your desk, so you keep hydrated. I make a pitchur of herbal sun tea (Hibiscus is my favorite), and once it’s brewed, I put in in the fridge so I can enjoy an icy glass when I take breaks.

Third, because those of us who work from home do so primarily because we like it and we like the solitude, we need to make certain we get out of the house and out into the community where we can interact with others and balance our work with some play and interaction.  After I’ve written or worked in my photography studio all morning, I head for my favorite local coffee shop. Usually I have have a cup or two of coffee, sometimes I have lunch, but I always enjoy the break and conversations. I give myself time off to do a crossword or Sudoko, and then I head out to run errands (post office, printers, market). Afternoons are good times for me to schedule meetings and interviews.  You might decide mornings are best for these kinds of activities, and that afternoons  work best for detailed and time-intensive work.  The point is, develop a routine, and stick to it. We tend to get more done when we’re working within a routine and somewhat set schedule.

Fourth, and this is one I have a hard time doing, build in activities that give you at least 30 minutes a day of active exercise. On of my friends goes swimming every morning before she heads for work. Another, rides her bike to and from work. Still another friend walks every day for at least an hour. Sign up for a class (yoga, Pilates, aerobics, water aerobics, spin, kettle bells, or whatever interests you), get a punch card for 3 months worth of yoga or swimming, or join a local health club for at least a month. Try to develop the habit of doing at least one regular sport or exercise activity outside your house for at least a few minutes (30 is best) every day. Walk with your neighbor, daughter, or friend. Walk the dog. While the weather is mild, develop a habit of exercising so that you are making it part of your work routine.

Use the energy, sunlight, and extra daylight hours of spring and summer to create a more balanced life for yourself. When we work from home, we can organize our time ourselves, and we want to do so with our health and well being in mind as much as we want to have our bottom line and deadlines in mind.  You will be much more productive if you are living and working in harmony.

The Monterey Sports Center has two indoor pools, a cardio fitness center, a training center, a Kid’s Zone, free WiFi and some great places in the corridor to sit and work, chat, or read.  It’s a wonderful and reasonably priced facility for those who live and work in Monterey.   They also have a number of classes including yoga, pilates, and water aerobics.

The Seaside Yoga Sanctuary,  Om Oasis on Cass in Monterey   and Monterey Yoga Shala all provide local residents with a variety of yoga styles and classes. The natural beauty and plethora of beautiful walking trails and paths both in the hills and along the seashore, make it nearly impossible for anyone who wants to to get in a good walk every day.  Get out and enjoy the weather, the beauty, and the feeling you get from being healthier, fitter, and more energized and balanced.

Article source: http://www.examiner.com/article/organize-your-home-office-schedule-for-a-more-balanced-life

Forget Angry Birds. Your smartphone can be a powerful tool for improving your overall fitness if you give it half a chance.

Whether you’re a couch potato looking to start an exercise routine or a veteran runner looking to cross-train, there’s an app for that.

Our picks of some of the best downloads to get you moving, measure your progress and keep you motivated:

Yoga With Janet Stone ($4.99 iPhone and iPad)

There are a lot of yoga apps out there, but few are as sophisticated as this new release. Unlike some of its rivals that feature photos of asanas or awkward links to blurry how-tos, this app features hours of beautifully lit in-studio video that flows smoothly from one pose to the next.

There are no additional in-app purchases required to get routines. More than 100 “flows,” or practices, are included. And there are 13 meditations for those who want to chill out without hitting the mat.

You choose a focus — strength, flexibility or a series of progressive daily sessions — and specify your level, and the app loads the video and audio to lead you through it. More experienced yogis can create their own custom routines from Stone’s video clips.

You can opt for its yoga music or make your own playlist. Loading the video and audio files can take time, but it’s probably the closest you’ll come to the studio in an app.

Endomondo Pro ($3.99 iPhone and Android)

If you’re like most fitness enthusiasts, you like to know that you’re making progress with each run or ride. GPS tracking apps such as this one are a good way to do that.

You can measure the distance, pace and time of your jog as you map it and monitor an estimate of the number of calories burned in each session. You can set goals in time or calories burned, or just try to beat a previous record, with audio feedback urging you on and letting you know when you hit mile markers.

However, one of the best features of this app is its interval workout setting (preset or customizable) allowing users to set up high-intensity interval training workouts — one of the most time-efficient, heart-healthy types of exercise out there. When it’s time to sprint, its audio coach interrupts your playlist to let you know.

Nike Training Club (free iPhone and Android)

Think of this free app as a virtual boot camp in your pocket. You choose your focus for the day — cardio, toning or bodybuilding work — and specify your level (beginner, intermediate or advanced), and Nike offers a menu of half a dozen 30- to 45-minute total-body workouts. (You can also choose from several 15-minute routines focusing on specific toning or cardio drills for those days when you’re short on time.)

Audio guidance tells you when it’s time to go from one move to the next, and users can access video clips of each move as they are cued. The exercises use standard equipment such as weights or a medicine ball.

It keeps track of what workouts you’ve done and when. As you progress, you unlock exclusive routines from celebrity trainers.

Overall, it’s a great choice for highly motivated fitness enthusiasts. But without a lot of audio coaching and motivation, it might not be as appealing for beginners.

Zombies, Run! ( $7.99 iPhone, coming soon to Android)

Part game, part fitness tool, this immersive app tells a story of “Runner 5″ crashing down into a post apocalyptic zombie-infested landscape. After a short intro audio clip, you walk or run to gather supplies and escape hordes of zombies. There’s no need to touch the screen, unless you want to stop the game.

Occasionally your music playlist is interrupted by a dispatcher at the base camp guiding you through the imaginary terrain and letting you know when the undead are gaining on you and you need to pick up the pace. (The zombie heavy breathing in the background is a nice touch too.)

Article source: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-fitness-apps-20120519,0,6881145.story?track=rss

Click photo to enlargeOROVILLE — There’s plenty to do at Feather River Senior Citizens Association Center, but it seems not that many seniors are aware of it. Mary Cirnigliaro, association president and Trudy McPhee, treasurer, would like to change that.

“We have ongoing Zumba classes, AARP driving classes, pinochle. There’s bingo and lunch,” said McPhee. “The center is a good place for seniors to make friends.”

“We’re open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and people can come by anytime during those hours. We welcome it,” said Cirnigliaro.

Starting today, to coincide with the start of the downtown Farmers Market, the center will offer a place to store market purchases while seniors listen to live music from 10 a.m. until noon.

Anyone residing in the greater Oroville area, who is at least 50 years old, may become a voting member for an annual fee of $15. People between 21 and 49 may become associate, non-voting members. The association’s annual membership drive is underway and the hope is to add 100 new members by the end of June.

Those attending can purchase a homemade lunch and spend the afternoon playing bingo. Small packets are $4, large are $8. There are three specials for $1. One free game is given to each player.

Bingo is also offered each Thursday through the summer.

Monthly membership meetings are on first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch. Birthdays are celebrated on this day with a sugar-free birthday cake.

The center

is at 1335 Myers St. Call 533-8370.

Article source: http://www.chicoer.com/lifestyle/ci_20661614/from-zumba-lunch-and-bingo-lots-do-at

By Alexandra Clough

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 9:42 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2012

Posted: 9:40 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2012

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The founder of Planet Fitness health clubs has found a new world in which to
help people get healthy and fit.

Youfit Health Clubs (www.youfithealthclubs.com
) is the brainchild of Boca Raton resident Rick Berks, who sold the Planet
Fitness trademark in 2002 and finally parted ways with the company in 2008.

It was at that point he decided there was a need for a health club that
offered the basics, such as cardio and resistance training, without the
bells and whistles of other, more expensive clubs that feature spas, classes
and a see-and-be-seen attitude, Berks said.

“There is an evolution to this type of club. In the past, clubs were
everything-to-everybody types of clubs,” Berks said. But Youfit offers
a simple model for people who want to do strength and cardio training,
without the need for classes or racquetball courts, for example.

The newest Youfit just opened at the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, in the
back of the mall, known as the Terrace, above the Blue Martini bar.

Making the clubs attractive to customers is that they require no long-term
commitments, just $10 a month for access to a single club, or $19.99 a month
for access to any Youfit club.

There are about 40 Youfit clubs open now, including 32 in Florida, and Berks
hopes to have 50 open nationwide by the end of the year.

The concept was first started in 2008 but has really taken off in recent
months, and more clubs are opening locally, Berks said.

A Wellington location opened a few months ago, and several are under
construction in Broward County, too. A number of clubs are opening in
Arizona, as well. Berks said he’s also scouting locations in California, the
Northeast and the South.

The soured economy has been an upside for Youfit, because suddenly there are a
number of spaces, such as now-closed big box retailers, that are available
for Youfit clubs, Berks said.

Berks said the clubs bring in steady traffic all day, compared with clubs that
seem to have peak periods during lunch and after work. The Simon Property
Co., which owns the Town Center mall, has asked Berks to open a Youfit in
Simon’s Boynton Beach Mall, but Berks said he wants to see how the gym
performs at Town Center before making a commitment to Boynton Beach.

The Youfit clubs have a sleek, clean feeling, with all new equipment and
plenty of it, so there’s no need for a wait to exercise, Berks said.

An express circuit works every part of the body in just 30 minutes per
session, and includes both a cardio workout and strength training.

There also is equipment for seniors who want low-impact equipment to increase
strength and flexibility.

In addition, the equipment is outfitted with individual TVs and ports for
iPods or mp3 players.

Berks says his goal is to make people of any age or fitness level feel
comfortable working out.

“A lot of people who do not (typically work out) feel more comfortable in
our clubs,” he said. “It’s geared toward the person who has not
been a serious exerciser but now wants to get fit.”

Article source: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/at-youfit-health-clubs-patrons-can-feel-the-2364079.html?cxtype=rss_money_585171

Forget Angry Birds. Your smartphone can be a powerful tool for improving your overall fitness if you give it half a chance.

Whether you’re a couch potato looking to start an exercise routine or a veteran runner looking to cross-train, there’s an app for that.

Our picks of some of the best downloads to get you moving, measure your progress and keep you motivated:

Yoga With Janet Stone ($4.99 iPhone and iPad)

There are a lot of yoga apps out there, but few are as sophisticated as this new release. Unlike some of its rivals that feature photos of asanas or awkward links to blurry how-tos, this app features hours of beautifully lit in-studio video that flows smoothly from one pose to the next.

There are no additional in-app purchases required to get routines. More than 100 “flows,” or practices, are included. And there are 13 meditations for those who want to chill out without hitting the mat.

You choose a focus — strength, flexibility or a series of progressive daily sessions — and specify your level, and the app loads the video and audio to lead you through it. More experienced yogis can create their own custom routines from Stone’s video clips.

You can opt for its yoga music or make your own playlist. Loading the video and audio files can take time, but it’s probably the closest you’ll come to the studio in an app.

Endomondo Pro ($3.99 iPhone and Android)

If you’re like most fitness enthusiasts, you like to know that you’re making progress with each run or ride. GPS tracking apps such as this one are a good way to do that.

You can measure the distance, pace and time of your jog as you map it and monitor an estimate of the number of calories burned in each session. You can set goals in time or calories burned, or just try to beat a previous record, with audio feedback urging you on and letting you know when you hit mile markers.

However, one of the best features of this app is its interval workout setting (preset or customizable) allowing users to set up high-intensity interval training workouts — one of the most time-efficient, heart-healthy types of exercise out there. When it’s time to sprint, its audio coach interrupts your playlist to let you know.

Nike Training Club (free iPhone and Android)

Think of this free app as a virtual boot camp in your pocket. You choose your focus for the day — cardio, toning or bodybuilding work — and specify your level (beginner, intermediate or advanced), and Nike offers a menu of half a dozen 30- to 45-minute total-body workouts. (You can also choose from several 15-minute routines focusing on specific toning or cardio drills for those days when you’re short on time.)

Audio guidance tells you when it’s time to go from one move to the next, and users can access video clips of each move as they are cued. The exercises use standard equipment such as weights or a medicine ball.

It keeps track of what workouts you’ve done and when. As you progress, you unlock exclusive routines from celebrity trainers.

Overall, it’s a great choice for highly motivated fitness enthusiasts. But without a lot of audio coaching and motivation, it might not be as appealing for beginners.

Zombies, Run! ( $7.99 iPhone, coming soon to Android)

Part game, part fitness tool, this immersive app tells a story of “Runner 5″ crashing down into a post apocalyptic zombie-infested landscape. After a short intro audio clip, you walk or run to gather supplies and escape hordes of zombies. There’s no need to touch the screen, unless you want to stop the game.

Occasionally your music playlist is interrupted by a dispatcher at the base camp guiding you through the imaginary terrain and letting you know when the undead are gaining on you and you need to pick up the pace. (The zombie heavy breathing in the background is a nice touch too.)

Article source: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-fitness-apps-20120519,0,6881145.story

RISE AND RUN I wake up around 6, or maybe 6:15 on Sundays, about half an hour later than I normally get up. I go straight for a run, first thing. I drive to the Cross Island Y.M.C.A., park the car and go for a five-mile run up through Alley Pond Park, which is very woodsy. As the weather gets warmer, I up it to seven or eight miles. The two sides of my brain have different answers on whether I’ll run another marathon: the logical side says no, but the macho, competitive side says to run it again so I can beat last year’s time. After the run, I do a quick workout at the gym, lifting weights.

CHURCH AND CHOIR I go back home, fix some oatmeal and then change and get ready for church. I don’t drink coffee; I think I’ve had a half a cup in my life. And I only drink tea when I’m sick. We attend St. Alban the Martyr, an Episcopal church, and I guess it was three or four years ago that we decided to join the choir. I like to challenge myself to do new or different things I’m not that comfortable with. I wear a choir robe and stand in the back row with the basses.

HOME FOR WAFFLES Normally after church we’ll go home and I make waffles with turkey kielbasa. I use nonsweetened soy milk and sugar-free syrup for the waffles. I don’t bother reading the packaging of the turkey kielbasa because I don’t want to drive myself crazy. It’s probably 100 percent fat.

PICK A CAR You can measure which hat I’m wearing on the weekend by which car I’m driving. For personal things, like going to church and the Y, I drive my own car. It’s a maroon Honda. If I have an event to attend, I drive my Department of Education car, a black Taurus.

TIME FOR GRANDSONS I like to spend some of the afternoon hanging with my grandsons. They live in Jamaica, so if the weather’s nice, I’ll ride my bike over there. Or they come to our house, and we’ll go over and play in the park.

RELAXING AT HOME But around 4, I get into my Sunday at-home routine, just relaxing around the house, and during football season we watch the games: My wife is into football big time. She can dissect it. I used to play in an adult league on Staten Island until around 1980, when our first daughter was born; I was 35 pounds heavier then, a linebacker for the Buffalo Soldiers.

CLEANING AND COOKING We’ll have the TV on, or listen to the radio, and we clean the house. I’m very domesticated: I can do everything except sew. On Saturdays, I go grocery shopping. I can tell you all the price points. My Sunday cooking routine is to make two or three different meals, one for Sunday night and the rest for during the week. I’ll do a fish, and baked chicken, and turkey meatloaf makes a great office lunch during the week. I’m economical. We don’t have a dishwasher; we have basic cable, and if it was up to me, I’d still have a rotary-dial phone.

TV AND A SHAKE We’ll watch “60 Minutes” and maybe the old “Law and Order” reruns on Channel 9, but I can’t think of any special Sunday night shows that we watch. Around 8 or so I’ll make a soy milk shake with fruit and honey. We don’t really go out that much. We can go a couple of years without getting ourselves out to a movie!

Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/nyregion/dennis-walcott-schools-chancellor-runs-cooks-and-cleans-on-sundays.html