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výJanuary a fitting time of year for exercise People head out to fulfiltheir New Year 's resolutions By CARRIE BRUNET The Champion Jf your Iooking to shape up or trim down this month, you're flot alone. January is one of the busiest times of year at the Milton Leisure Centre, as people head out to fultili their New Year's resolutions, according tc0 Fitness Supervisor Tracy Hasselfeldt. lt's the trne of year. explaineci Ms Hasselfeldi where people who have wanted to improve their health head out, and people who are continuing their fitness programs expand. For the uninitiated. a physical assessment and even some personal training sessions are recomn- mendcd. Durng the assessment, a trainer will put their client through a battery of physical tests includ- ing cardiovascular, strength and flexibility. Once it's completed, the tramner can put together a comprehensive program for the client that will suit their needsand goals for fitness. Furthermore, a couple of training sessions helps the client leamn to use equipment and free weights et iiciently and properly to limit sirain and reduce the risk of tnjury. -You only need two or three sessions to make sure you're doing the exercises properly," Ms Hasselfeldt said. -Just enough so you are able 10 do the programi safely without hurting yourself." Injury must bc avoided at ail costa, Ms rHasselfeldt stressed, adding that it can be a big reason for not keeping that resolution Io get fit. "If you gel hurt, you're less likely to corne back," she said. Other ways to ensure a continued relationship with the centre is ftnd tricks 10 stay motivated. Ms Hasselfeldt recommenda pairing up with a fiend or family member for workout ses~sions. A lot of couples work out at the centre togeth- er, Ms Hasselfeldt added. She often sees teens and their parents exereising together also. Seiting reasonable goals is another important step in ensuring success. "Set small goals, and reward yourself as you meet them." Ms Hasselfeldi. -Buy yourself that new pair of running shoes or that t-shirt that Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Sculpt class participants Debbie Melette (front) and Ruth Kerr iearn weight training techniques et the Milton Leisure Centre during a noon-hour class. Scuipt classes al10w participants to introduce weight training int their workout in e controlled and supervised envlronment, reducing potentiel for injury or strain. you've wanted." She also recommends keeping a monitoring progress. "Logging your achievements is a good way t0 stay motivated," Ms Hasselfeldt said. As with anything, variety is what will main- tain one's interest, and with exercising it's the besi way to make sure ail muscle groupa are heing used. Ms Hasselfeidt suggests ail fiînessoprograms should incorporate a cardiovascular and a weight training compontent. "When people want to lose weight they think about cardiovascular hecause it burna fat," Ms Hasselfeldt said. "But weight training increasea your muscle mass, which speeda up your metab- olism and heips you bum calories." While aome patrons may be intimidated by weight training, Ms Hasselfeldt suggests a scuipting class in which a qualified instructor will demonstrate proper use of weights in low proportions. "Star( off with two or three pounds," she said. "Whatever you're comrrfortable with." She also cautions to start off slow. "Start three times a week," Ms Hasseifeldt said. "You ean work your way up to five times. A lot of people corne in ail gung-ho, which is great. But, they injure themseives and then they don'( corne back." Weight training also offers s great benefit to seniors who may be losing bonte mass through osteoporosis. "It builda bone mass and sîoengthens the mus- cle around them," she said. The leisure centre caters to ail age groupa and ail levels of fitness, offering basic serobic class- es up to high intensity work-outs such as Iheir ever-popular cycling classes. Classes such as Aquaftt (underwaîer aerobics) are great for those who are starting out because the intensity is low. Aquafit ta also a good choice for anyone who wants 10 limit joint strain and for expecting moîhers. For the seasoned aerobic class-goers, step classes continue 10 be an allutme favourite, and are offered five times a week. Tise centre has alan intîiuced cycling classes, which simulate an outdoor mountain biking experience on stationary bikes. STEAK & SEAFOOD HOU SE FuIIy Licensed by thie LLBO 377 MAIN STRENT EAST, MILTON 6 CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 876-9998