New exercise ideas in Calgary
Written by Sharon Titus
Getting fit in the new year is on many 20-something's minds, but going to the gym isn't always an exciting option.
According to a study done from 2007-2009 by Statistics Canada, Canadian young adults have been less active than self reported.
Dwayne Sheehan, a physical education instructor at Mount Royal University says, "Ultimately the best motivator is fun so if we can make activities fun for young adults [and] for children we hope to create a positive attitude about physical activity for a lifetime."
Zumba
Kristy Couture, a 21-year-old student at the University of Calgary, has found a way to stay active.
Couture teaches dance and fitness classes at Brite Studios in Calgary for children and adults.
After earning a minor in dance at the University of Calgary, she first began assistant teaching classes and then teaching independently.
Zumba is a fitness class that combines cardio, Latin dancing, hip-hop and strength moves. It started in 2001 and has become more and more popular over time.
"Zumba is good because you don't realize that you're exercising, it's an hour class so you go in and it's over before you know it and so they can come in and have a good time," explains Couture.
Couture was certified in Edmonton after a weeklong training session to learn the techniques and how to deliver them to a class.
Twelve Zumba classes cost $141 and are twice a week for 45 minutes.
Couture says, "It's very important to lead a healthy lifestyle and Zumba does target the young adult crowd because of the music they play and steps they do."
"[Zumba] is one of my favorite classes to teach because it's people my own age which is fun, I really enjoy the music, Latin dancing and I like that it's a class where I'm facing them so it's a lot of social interaction," she continues.
To find out more information you can visit www.britestudios.ca
Kangoo Jumps
These ski boots are attached to an oval base made of plastic and rubber that creates a bouncy feel almost like you're on a trampoline.
Initially made for rehabilitation purposes to reduce impact to joints by 80 per cent, Kangoo Jumps suddenly became popular in Europe for much more than that.
Tina Takacs is the only instructor in Calgary that holds step classes with the Kangoo Jumps in her own basement. After getting certified in Romania to teach it became her full time job, which she has been doing for almost two years.
At first, Takacs said, ""Everyone was just so skeptical about it, when I went jogging with my group everybody's like what the heck are those."
But now after the popularity they've had in Europe and the U.S. they are now working their way into Canada. Takacs has full classes of 10-14 people in the two classes she holds every week.
Kangoo Jumps works on your core body, legs and helps with posture and burning more calories at one time.
"I'm addicted to them it's more than enjoying it. It's something exciting, something new, it's different from any other fitness [technique]," says Takacs.
Takacs has had clients from 16-60 years old and says the Kangoo Jumps can be used from running to jogging and even choreography.
Takacs is the only dealer of the shoes in Calgary, which she brings in from Spain for $289 but for only $14 you can attend a 60-minute step class where shoes are provided.
To find out more information visit www.kangoocanada.com
6Legs to Fitness
First time pet owners in their 20-somethings can stay active while spending time with their pets.
Brad Pattison, host of 'At the End of My Leash' started 6Legs to Fitness to get dogs and their owners fit at the same time when they have an ultimatum between choosing to walk the dog or go to the gym.
After attending one of Pattison's classes almost three years ago, Lucie Pratte thought it would be a good way to spend time with each of her three dogs as well as becoming more active.
"An hour and a half would go by and then next thing you know class was over, you had worked hard but had fun and your dogs would be tired," says Pratte.
Lucie Pratte is one of the couple instructors in Calgary that is certified by Pattison to teach these classes.
Pratte is a full time teacher and came up with the idea to introduce the program to her Grade 7-12 students for them and their dogs.
"If I bring them to do 6Legs to Fitness that'll be something fun for them expanding what they do with their own dogs and maybe have them get fit without realizing they were doing so and leading them to a more active lifestyle," she says.
They are 75-90 minutes classes are $20 each and are held in various locations like Calgary's Shaw Millennium Park because of various terrain and obstacles readily available. Classes are held in the spring and when weather permits.
Pratte says dogs must wear a Martingale style collar because it's effective in getting a dog's attention with quick movement and the dog cannot slip out. A six-foot leash with a belt extension that can attach to the owner is also need in order to participate.
6Legs to fitness combines outdoor resources like stairs, picnic tables and then integrates push-ups, sit-ups and lunges as well as walking with your dog.
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To find out more information visit 6Legs to Fitness
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