1. Seize the moment: Time, or the lack of it, is often cited as the biggest
challenge to sustaining an exercise regimen. When the kids return to school,
what better way to use some of that precious time than getting in shape?
Your workout doesn't have to take a lot of time. Even a half hour walking
your neighborhood pays off in increased energy and stamina. Most fitness center
aerobics classes are just an hour long, yet offer big fitness dividends. Taking
care of yourself is one of the best things you can do for your family.
2. Enjoy the year's most beautiful season: In many parts of the United
States, autumn is a near-sacred season, with its warm, sunny days, cool evenings
and postcard perfect colors. Get outside and enjoy the season by bicycling,
walking, hiking, jogging, playing tennis, or any other outdoor activity.
Explore parks in your area; find a new bike path through the woods, take a
walk around a lake. The time spent out in nature will do as much good for your
mind as for your body.
3. Return to your club or gym: It takes 30 days to make fitness a habit, and
supplementing outdoor exercise with increasingly frequent visits to your health
club will help diversify your exercise regimen and set the stage for regular
workouts once autumn's leaves have fallen.
A well-rounded fitness regimen is important. While aerobic activity such as
running or bicycling is good for your heart, resistance training is also a
critical component of a balanced program, so be sure to take advantage of your
fitness center’s weight lifting equipment.
4. Make it social: One of the great things about exercise is that it doesn't
need to be done alone. By exercising together, family members can keep one
another motivated, and it will be more fun.
5. An easy way to tackle these goals and be ready when winter comes is to
join a health and fitness center. Life Time Fitness, with locations in
Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Arizona and Texas,
offers the widest range of programs and activities for the whole family.
Offering spacious health and fitness centers with more than 110,000 square
feet of space, a 1-plus acre workout area including more than 400 pieces of
cardiovascular, resistance and free weight equipment, multiple group fitness
studios offering hundreds of classes per week, a wide range of athletic leagues,
rock climbing walls, kid's camps, and much, much more, Life Time Fitness
provides something for everyone. The entire family also can enjoy indoor and
outdoor aquatic centers which feature multiple water slides, children's play
areas, lap pools, relaxing whirlpools, and complimentary towel services, along
with swimming, diving, scuba and kayaking lessons for all ages and skill levels.
Have young kids? Life Time Fitness' large childcare centers offer a safe, fun
environment for kids from three months to 12 years old. Facilities include a
playmaze, children's theater, gym and computer center, and a dedicated area for
infants. Better still, childcare is free to members.
"Since inception, Life Time Fitness has placed a unique emphasis on serving
families," says Mike Brown, senior vice president of operations. "Serving
families with kids is a priority, not an afterthought. Each of our centers is
founded upon providing an unparalleled set of services and amenities that meet
the health and fitness needs of the entire family."
For more information about Life Time Fitness, visit www.lifetimefitness.com,
or call (800) 430-5433.
