| An Interview featuring Dr. Laura Enciso as a Wellness Specialist on Bizymoms Flagstaff city
Q. What should one consider when selecting a health club?
A. If you are among the millions of individuals jumping on the fitness bandwagon, there are immediate measures you can take to enhance your success. Your ability to stick with an exercise program and achieve your goals has a great deal to do with the environment you choose and the guidance you receive.
Embarking on a fitness program alone is a daunting task, and for that reason beginners should find a trainer, club, class, or facility that provides instruction and camaraderie. Look for staff members and instructors who are trained and certified by professional fitness organizations, such as the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, the American Council on Exercise, Jazzercise and The American College of Sports Medicine. Proper instruction is as critical as an atmosphere that is highly motivating.
Check out the exercise area and the equipment. Is there adequate space in both the exercise studios and weight rooms? Is the equipment in good condition and relatively new? Are there a variety of workouts to choose from? Be sure to consider other features that can make or break your decision, such as adequate parking, babysitting services, clean facilities, comfortable temperatures and proper ventilation.
Perhaps the most important factor influencing your success is location. Studies indicate that individuals prefer exercising closer to home. Look to your community first. Tour local health clubs; find out what your parks and recreation or community center offers; peruse the local phone directory for personal trainers. You may be surprised at all the options available in your own backyard.
Q. What should one bring along to a health club?
A. What a person brings along to a health club will vary depending upon the type of facility it is and what type of activity the individual wishes to participate in. Some health clubs are full service offering all equipment and accessories from mats for the yoga class, bottled water for the treadmill, shampoo for the shower and dining facilities so one would only need to bring along their own clothes and shoes. Other facilities will have fewer amenities and may require people to bring their own hand weights, exercise mat and water.
A quick email, phone call or look at the facility’s website may often be all it takes to determine what the club has available and what you should bring.
In general your gym bag should include items to make you comfortable. Shoes and clothes appropriate for the activity you’ll be engaging in, your own water bottle to re-hydrate during your workout.
At Mountain Sky Jazzercise, participants are encouraged to have their own exercise mat, although there are some available. We also provide hand-held weights, resistance tubes and stability balls. We have bottled water and sports drinks available for purchase, but many people bring their own.
Q. What should one wear?
A. I encourage my clients to wear comfortable clothing that allows for free movement and sweat evaporation. This can be as simple as a cotton T-shirt and shorts or a pair of dance pants and an exercise top made of special moisture wicking fabrics.
Most importantly, clothing shouldn’t restrict movement or cause discomfort, such as rubbing or chaffing. Because sweating is our body’s way of keeping us cool, it is important that whatever one wears sweat can evaporate throughout the workout to avoid overheating.
Lastly the right pair of workout shoes is essential. Shoes today are designed for specific activities such as running, basketball or an aerobics class. The movements for each of these activities differ and therefore, so do the shoes. The right pair of shoes will give the proper support and cushioning for your activity and will feel good on your feet.
Q. Will someone help each individual get started when one gets to a health club?
A. Many health clubs offer an introductory session with either a personal trainer, or an employee. This individual may simply give a tour of the club pointing out the location of machines, lockers and classes or they may design an initial workout program and demonstrate how to use the equipment. At Mountain Sky Jazzercise we give new clients a tour of the facility, team them up with a veteran who can help them during class and our instructors make a point to be available before and after class to demonstrate movements, steps or technique.
Q. Why is there a 20 minute time limit on some of the cardio machines?
A. As fitness trends change and new equipment is developed so does the popularity of certain cardio machines. Oftentimes the current demand for a particular machine will push a club to invoke time limits in order to make that equipment available to all members who wish to use it. While it may seem the club is infringing on your workout, they are trying to make it equitable for all their members.
Q. Group exercises: Even if one has never done group exercises before, can they simply join in?
A. For Jazzercise classes, the answer is yes. Jazzercise is designed so that no matter your fitness level, dance experience, physical challenges or age, there is something for everyone. There are options shown in every class for individuals who wish to lower impact or lower intensity. Jazzercise instructors make all the routines fun and easy-to-follow and the classes are ongoing, so one can join at any time. For customers who may be unsure about the dance steps used in Jazzercise, they can Learn the Moves before ever attending a class at www.jazzercise.com.
Not all group exercise classes are built on this format however. Some classes are broken into beginning, intermediate and advanced levels so one’s fitness level plays a big roll in determining which class they could take. Some other classes require prior knowledge of particular movements or terminology that may not be explained or demonstrated during the class.
A description of the group exercise class should indicate whether an individual has the fitness level or prior knowledge to participate. The name of class may give some indication such at ‘beginning step’ or ‘high performance yoga’.
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