Fitness by Jennifer Cox We all know how important exercise and staying physically active are and we also know that it can be hard to motivate ourselves to get out there and start moving, especially in the winter. e best way to combat this solo battle is to buddy up! e bene ts of having a partner to work out with are twofold: not only will you be more likely to actually go and exercise (you can’t leave your friend hanging!), you’ll also enjoy the activity more when you have a sidekick with you. Winter is approaching, so get a buddy system going and sign up for these exercise classes you can take with your friends. Exercise classes to take with your friends this winter Yoga/Pilates/Meditation You’ll nd studios that o er di erent types of yoga at all levels, from beginner to expert, in every city. If you and your partner are completely new to yoga, look for something called “easy ow,” to get your toes wet. Hot yoga can be an invigorating way to get all of the bene ts of yoga in a warm, soothing setting. Pilates is ideal for those who want to improve their balance and mobility, and meditation can help eliminate stress and, thereby, improve your overall health. It can be helpful having a friend to do a yoga class with – you can help to adjust one another’s poses and you can reward yourselves a erwards with a nutritious smoothie at a juice bar. Strength-building/toning Today’s gyms o en have weight-bearing classes in which you do sets of exercises using small hand-held weights, weight balls, stabilizers, resistance bands and other accessories that help build up your strength and tone muscles. Many of these exercises are easier and more fun when you do them with a partner, because they’re interactive. Dance No one wants to attend a dance class alone. Get your tempo-forward friends to join a class with you. Zumba, hip-hop, barre or line dancing can be fun, high-energy ways of getting those joints and muscles limber while getting your heart rate up. And who knows – maybe you’ll make even more like-minded, two-steppin’ friends. Paddle sports Pickleball, ping-pong and table tennis all involve paddles and have grown in popularity with baby boomers. ese activities improve hand-eye co-ordination and will get youmoving. You need a partner in order to properly play these sports, so consider organizing an informal meet-up group and forming your own impromptu league. Beginner martial arts Martial arts have been practised by young and old alike for centuries, and there are many advantages to integrating this into your weekly workout regimen. Tai chi, for example, is a slow-moving exercise that uses meditation to improve your overall health and can be a great form of activity for seniors. Many of these martial arts can be practised indoors at a studio or outdoors in a park, on a beach, etc. Find an adventurous friend and try di erent types of martial arts to see which ones you like most. Cardio – walking/snowshoeing/cross-country skiing It may not seem like a formalized class, but many studios and personal trainers are organizing outings that involve speed walking and other seasonal activities outside of a gym setting. ese are heart-friendly and will improve your cardiovascular health, plus you’ll build your muscles. Meet up at a local park for some light cross-country skiing, or join others at the local shopping centre for some organizedmall-walking. Have a friend in tow, so that you have someone to chitchat with while moving. 44 | www.snowbirds.org
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