Looking to shed a few inches on your waistline? Here's a few free opportunities. (Credit: D Sharon Pruitt)
by Laura Weisskopf Bleill
Ah, New Year’s resolutions. All weekend, I observed as my Twitter friends bought new treadmills, stepped foot in a gym for the first time in 10 years, and were proud of themselves for running in -10 degree wind chill.
Of course getting fit should be a priority. But before you do anything drastic, there are several options you can check out in the area that may help you in your journey to improve your body, mind and soul this new year. And you can try them out for free in the coming days and weeks.
- If you are a faculty or staff member of the University of Illinois, today (Jan. 4) Campus Recreation will host a Faculty/Staff Free Day at the ARC (formerly IMPE) from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Show your i-card to use the facility; cardholders will be allowed up to four guests with their card. Children can access the gyms, climbing wall (4 to 7 p.m.), game lounge (Wii and table tennis), and the pool (lap swimming only).
- This week, most Champaign Park District and Savoy Recreation Center group fitness classes are free through Jan. 8. Check the Web site for exceptions and class information.
- From Jan. 11-15, it’s the Urbana Park District‘s turn to give free a whirl. Try any fitness class at Brookens Gym, Phillips Recreation Center or Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center (excluding Tai Chi.) See the Fitness section of the Leisure Guide for complete class descriptions and times.
- The Fitness Center, with locations in Champaign and Monticello, has an offer for a free one-week pass on its Web site; the pass offer has no time limitation.
- Curves has a promotion offering 30 days free; check with various area locations for details. Participation may vary.
What are you doing to get fit in the New Year?
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My resolutions include more than exercise to be healthier this year. Sure, I included the age old mantra of “exercise more” (six times a week, to be exact), but more importantly (to me) I added “argue less” and “become clutter free” to my list.
I have an 11-year old, and the combination of middle school stress, hormones, and independent personalities clashed too frequently for my taste this past fall. Fewer arguments is on both of our lists, and we are working together to make that happen. We’ve even taken to marking our Dr. Horrible calendar when we are successful.
I don’t know about anyone else, but clutter is a fickle beast in my house. I can handle a little mess and chores not always done on time. However, there is a magical moment that I have yet to define when all of a sudden everything in my house is too much/too messy. I will go through a purging (Freecycle and Craigslist are my best friends) and cleaning spree and feel so much better when it is over. I am trying to avoid reaching this threshold by cleaning everything out now, being more mindful of the household chores, and really thinking over any new purchases.
Good luck to everyone with their resolutions! (I know I will need it.)
Hi there
I’ve been working out at Momentum (www.momentumgym.com) for a while now (from before it became Momentum and we were just “the group that meets at 5:30 to workout”). The changes I’ve seen in my physical appearance, strength and conditioning are unbelievable and I’ve done the usual treadmill/elliptical/nautilus circuits before without the same effect. I can still carry my not-so-light 8 year old up and down the stairs and chase after them in the yard.
So, if you’d like to get stronger,move faster, have FUN while you’re doing it AND look better, check us out at http://www.momentumgym.com. This stuff WORKS!
Here’s to stronger Chambanamoms!