Get fit in the New Year with rural fitness programs

Posted Jan 12, 2012 By Dosi Cotroneo

EMC News - The end of the holiday season and the beginning of a New Year bring about many resolutions for weight loss and new fitness regimes. All too often, the best laid plans fall by the wayside before the first month of the New Year is over. The City of Ottawa Rural Health programs are ready and set to help kickstart new fitness routines to help shed those added holiday pounds.

Community Centres throughout the rural Ottawa South area are providing fitness classes for participants of all ages and all fitness levels, and with the added convenience of daytime, afternoon or evening classes, all close to home. Oftentimes, fitness routines are abandoned due to a lack of time and the distance of having to drive into the city for that workout. For residents of Manotick, Kars, North Gower, Greely, Osgoode, Metcalfe and Vernon, their worries are over, as many programs are offered right in their own neighbourhoods, and with discounted rates for seniors.

Well-known seniors fitness instructor Joy Ralph, will be back for another great season of fitness for seniors. Her programs are held in the upstairs room at the Manotick Community Centre. Joy's enthusiasm is contagious as she puts seniors through their paces offering classes ranging from Gentle Joints to Older Adult Fitness, and Zumba Gold. Joy is a true believe that exercises holds the key to turning back the clock, increasing mobility, balance and flexibility, and a great natural mood elevator for anxiety and depression sufferers.

Joy can be found teaching her classes every Tuesday and Thursday morning at the Manotick Arena. The new session begins on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 9:00 a.m. sharp with Older Adult Fitness at 9:15 until 10:15, followed by Gentle Joints at 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Zumba Gold classes will begin on Monday, Jan. 16 at 6:15 until 7:15 p.m. at the Metcalfe Client Service Centre. For full descriptions of each class, visit www.manotick.net/cityrecreation or call 613-580-2424, ext. 30235.

Yoga, Tai Chi, Kettlebells, Aerobics, Pilates, Mom and me, weight lifting for women, Zumba and total body boot camp, classes are scheduled at the Manotick Community Centre, the Metcalfe Clients Services Centre, the Osgoode Community Centre, the Kars RA, the Alfred Taylor Rec Centre, North Gower Marlborough Public School, the Greely Community Centre, and the Vernon Community Centre.

For dates, times, and locations in your area, visit www.manotick.net/cityrecreation or by calling 613-580-2424 ext. 30235.