52 Weeks of Wellness: I Totally Worked Out
Friday, Jan 21, 2011
Week Three: I Totally Worked Out
I made my way up to the Pineland YMCA, on the picturesque campus of Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. If you have never made this trip yourself, find your car keys, hop in and take the drive. While you are visiting, take a moment to duck into the Wellness Center and sneak a peek at the awesome view of Mount Washington. Forget televisions, this view is entertainment enough while running on the treadmill.
The Pineland YMCA houses a gymnasium in the heart of its facility. This gym can be split in half to accommodate both open gym time and Group Exercise Classes, such as the one I joined for the first time: Total Body Workout.
There is movement happening all around us – whether it be members strolling to the Wellness Center or to the locker rooms or a family searching for basketballs. This stream of activity announces to all of us that this is a vibrant community and we are all here for the same reason… to treat our bodies to movement.
Total Body Workout involves a complete routine of exercises to touch every muscle, leaving you feeling stronger than when you arrived. We warm up to heart-thumping music, we use light and heavy dumbbells to deepen the effects of the lunges and arm curls, and we lie down on mats to do ab curls and leg lifts. The instructor, Rick, encourages us with his calm and capable demeanor, and this is important to note as he is facing 13 women, all with expectations that he is going to make their morning effort to exercise worthwhile.
This class is truly suitable for all. When instructed to do push-ups and you feel that the knee-technique is your thing, by all means, you should perform them that way. Same if you choose to march in place if the impact of running in place is too difficult for you. Regardless of your abilities or limitations, you will leave Total Body Workout feeling totally worked out and ready to tackle your day.
Class: Total Body Workout at the Pineland YMCA, Gymnasium
Instructor: Rick
Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 9:30 – 10:30 am
For a full schedule of wellness classes, including other strength training classes, click here:
John’s latest tip introduces us to healthy foods! Click here to read his most recent post.
Hildy
Hildy Ginsberg is Portland’s Executive Director. She feels that the YMCA is the greatest place on earth. Seriously. Don’t you?