THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 13, 1995 TAG: 9501110077
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 01B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Pam Starr
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines
YOU SAY THAT GETTING in shape is one of your New Year's resolutions, but you still haven't found the time or energy to start an exercise program?
Maybe you're suffering from beginner's phobia and think you're too fat/out of shape/old/awkward to work out in public.
Or you aren't sure what kind of exercise you want your body to sweat to - aerobics, swimming, racketball, tennis, karate, walking, running, lifting weights.
Never fear. No matter what your age or fitness level, there is an exercise program you can do safely. Staying healthy in the new year has never been easier, thanks to the proliferation of exercise classes and health programs offered at the city recreation centers, the YMCAs, hospitals, health clubs and spas in Virginia Beach.
Depending on what you want and need out of an exercise program, you can spend more money at a privately owned health club or gym or less money to use the city-owned rec centers.
The motivation, however, is up to you. It's your choice whether to spend passive hours in front of the television or to spend that time working your body in an active aerobics class or walking around the neighborhood.
But, say you hate to walk alone, or the only time you can work out is during your lunch hour. At the Mount Trashmore YMCA, for example, physical director Kathleen Brady leads a group of power walkers around a 2 1/2-mile outside trek on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Weather permitting, of course.
``We go all around Mount Trashmore and back,'' said Brady, a tall and lanky woman with a mass of curly red hair. ``Even when it's cold, it's a good workout.''
The YMCA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is ``to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy body, mind and spirit for all.'' The one-time joining fee is $40 for an individual, $60 for a family. Monthly rates are $36 and $48, respectively.
The Mount Trashmore YMCA has expanded its fitness center with a 4,000-square-foot addition set to open in February. A brand new Hilltop YMCA, behind Morrison's Cafeteria on Laskin Road, will open on Jan. 21. YMCAs are also on Indian River Road in the University Shoppes, and in Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk. The Virginia Beach locations are open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.
Membership benefits include free aerobics and aquacise classes, free fitness evaluations, instruction and orientation on weight training and cardiovascular equipment, lap swim lanes, reduced fees for other programs, weekly child-care discounts and much more. The Mount Trashmore YMCA just started offering a Japanese style of karate, called shito-ryu, for an additionalfee, and also has an open volleyball time on weeknights. A weekly beginner's yoga class is another new offering.
The city recreation centers Bayside, Bow Creek, Great Neck, Kempsville and Princess Anne have an abundance of classes and amenities and charge $27 a year for an adult facility card. Seniors can obtain a lifetime golden age card for $50. The popular aerobics classes, ``flexaerobics,'' cost extra. A flexaerobics card can be bought for either $12 for six punches or $30 for 20 punches. Those 65 and older can buy a card for $15 for 20 punches. Each time you attend a class the card will be punched.
Classes include non-impact, for those with physical limitations; low impact, where one foot is always on the floor; high/low impact, step aerobics, where you bring your own tri-level step; and stretch and strengthen, which uses light weights and resistance exercises. Classes are offered morning, afternoon and evening - eliminating the ``I don't have time'' excuse - at all of the rec centers.
If you hate aerobics or swear you'll never be seen in public in spandex and lycra, don't worry. You might feel more comfortable swatting a racquetball or handball around the court or swimming laps. Or, for an additional fee, you could take a class in ballet, country line dancing, jazz, yoga, weight training or aquaerobics.
All you have to do is hop in your car and drive to your nearest recreation center.
A unique, medically managed fitness program is offered by the Department of Parks and Recreation and Tidewater Health Care called R.E.A.C.H., or Recreational & Educational Approach to Complete Health. This program is held at the Princess Anne rec center and is for people who need a supervised exercise program.
With a physician referral, a facility card and a monthly fee, you can take advantage of fitness testing, supervised exercise, dietary consultation, health lectures and re-evaluations to your referring physician.
Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 5 p.m., and Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The first month's fee is $49, then it's $25 a month thereafter. For more information call Allen Bostian at the Virginia Beach General Cardiac Fitness Center, 481-7656, or Scott Van Geluwe at the rec center, 426-0022.
The area hospitals have also jumped on the health and fitness bandwagon. Tidewater Health Care, the parent company of Virginia Beach General Hospital, offers many different health education programs for a fee such as Smokestoppers, stress management and N.E.W. Lifestyle. The Virginia Beach General Cardiac Fitness Center also offers a supervised exercise program for those with physician referrals.
For more information on these or other programs, call the HealthQuest Line to Better Health at 481-8141.
Sentara Health System offers various community health events throughout the year and many different support groups. Call 455-7144 for a complete listing of groups and classes held at Sentara facilities. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by CHARLIE MEADS
Mount Trashmore YMCA physical director Kathleen Brady leads a group
of lunch-hour power walkers.
YMCA members participate in a Friday morning yoga class before
dashing off to work or to run errands.
by CNB