Moving Toward Fitness: Exercising In Our Community

With lofty New Year's resolutions behind us, it is time to commit ourselves to the reality of everyday fitness. Forget the all or nothing attitude, make strides by taking small steps that in the long run will produce lasting results, yet feel doable.

Our area has a number of gyms that offer everything from bodybuilding to the latest Zumba (Latin inspired dance/fitness) craze and can appeal to both your personal finances and your personal fitness goals.

Powerhouse Gym in Miller Place offers not only machines and free weights but an array of classes, like spin, body sculpting, kickboxing, yoga and Zumba.

, also in Miller Place, is owned by Fran Weber. Fran opens the doors at 5 a.m. and offers Jazz, kick boxing and karate classes. For parents with small children, nursery hours are between 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.  They also have indoor tanning, a steam room and a sauna.

, owned and managed by Ed Darcey, probably the  oldest gym in Rocky Point, has an old fashioned neighborhood feel, kind of like the "Cheers" of gyms where everybody knows your name.

Planet Fitness in Rocky Point just celebrated its one year anniversary. As a member, I can attest to its efficiency and cleanliness. Although It may not have all the amenities of a full service gym, it truly is a "judgment free zone." The staff is friendly, the manager Cara Kallio is at the ready to answer questions. Staffer Marcus McLeod is available to help you set and achieve goals, and because the doors remain open 24 hours a day weekdays, with a bit of self motivation you can work out a good fitness plan.

If the idea of packing a bag and heading for the gym does not catch your fancy, you can try a more artistic form of fitness.

Belly dance with Lenora Dome at the North Shore Public Library, has a class for beginners at 10:15 a.m. every Saturday and at 11:30 a.m. for those who have already taken beginner or have a dance background. Lenora teaches not only basic belly dance but Gypsy, Bedouin, and Tribal. I have been taking the class with Lenora; she not only teaches choreography  and technique, but she imparts an enthusiasm for the ethnic diversity of the dance itself. Lenora takes it a step further by showing her students how to make their own distinctive apparel.
 
Also at the North Shore Library,  Sunday, March 6 at 1:30 p.m., join Rhythms & Soul Dance Studio owner Kelly Ficarra for a Salsa dance session before Mambo Loco begins to play at 2:30 p.m. Register online or call 631-929-4488.

Bobbi Ann DePierro and her company Join The Party offer a high energy Zumba class at the Heritage Center in Mt. Sinai every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

With all the craziness in the world, you can stay fit and stay safe by staying on the offense and embracing your inner grasshopper. Sign up for a self defense class at the on Route 25A in Rocky Point. Call for a full schedule of classes 631-821-4812.

 No matter what your present condition, whether you want to maintain your present level of fitness or are striving to improve your appearance and well being, the reality is when you make exercise and movement a part of your life, the rewards filter into all aspects of your world.

You will not only experience increased energy, flexibility and balance, but studies have shown that endorphins produced by exercise boost mood. 

With an improvement in mood comes an improvement in body awareness and an increase in self-awareness leading to self confidence.

So, be kind to yourself, start slow and stay steady; fitness is a process, not a race to the finish line.