What’s stopping you from fulfilling your New Year’s resolution to embark on an exercise program?
Classes or gym memberships cost too much?
You can’t fit it into your schedule?
You’re a novice to exercise and don’t know where to start?
Healthy Generations of Goshen General Hospital might just have the perfect excuse-breaker through its Fitness Card program.
A Fitness Card can be purchased for $40, which entitles the holder to unlimited fitness classes at The Retreat for eight weeks. “To sweeten the deal,” the cards are 10 percent off in January ($36), according to Norma Monik, Healthy Generations fitness and nutrition coordinator. The classes are taught by certified instructors Mindi Peak and Stacey Scott, along with Monik.
Monik said if people are unsure if the Retreat’s classes are what they are looking for, they are welcome to come out and sample any class before making the $40 commitment.
“I don’t want anybody to get their card and then decide it’s not what they had in mind,” Monik said.
She also wanted to make sure the public knows men are welcome in the classes.
Monik said once someone decides to purchase a card, they can go to as many classes as they want Monday through Thursday during the eight weeks.
The classes run at half-hour intervals mornings and evenings.
“They change every half hour, so if you are running a little late, you can go the next half hour,” Monik said.
The offerings include Beginners Yoga, Power Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Yoga I and Yoga II, Pilates Zumba, Tai Chi Easy, Cardio Play-Off-The-Pounds, Gentle Cardio-Play-Off-The-Pounds and Women and Weights.
The classes are designed to offer variety, and attendees are encouraged to “mix it up,” Monik said.
“If you are going to stick with exercise, your best bet is variety so you don’t get in a rut in the same routine,” she said.
After the first class, when registration and payment for the card takes place, card holders can go to any class they want to without registering or calling ahead.
“The nice thing about The Retreat is it’s huge,” Monik said. “We have the space to accommodate drop-ins.”
The Retreat provides the equipment for each class — weights, flex bands, stability balls, etc. People can take their own yoga mats if they wish.
Monik said the classes are a boon to this community, both for the fitness aspect and the financial aspect.
Participant
Class participant Linda Webber, who started out with a Gentle Yoga class in 2007, said it is the staff’s encouragement and the modifications provided for each exercise that have kept her going back.
Webber said after starting the yoga class, she discovered the $40 fitness card deal and decided to try other classes.
“I was pretty heavy,” Webber said. “I tried a cardio class and think I lasted four minutes.”
She said that was OK — Monik just encouraged her to “keep moving” and not give up. Now Webber averages three nights a week, participating in various classes from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The hard work has paid off in 30 pounds lost.
“It’s not always easy,” Webber said. “Sometimes I just want to go home and sit on the couch.”
She said, though, along with the energetic and supportive staff, the other class participants “are like a sisterhood and brotherhood” with everyone encouraging everyone else.
She said there is no need to feel self-conscious in the class no matter what your age or fitness level — even if you can’t keep up right away or do all the exercises.
Webber has scoliosis and arthritis in her back and has to use a lot of the modified positions demonstrated by the instructors.
“It makes you feel so good,” she said of the workouts. “You sleep better. My cholesterol went down 50 points. My posture’s better, I feel better about myself.
“It’s a great stress reliever. I can’t encourage anyone enough to come and try it.”
Classes offered
Classes offered for a fee of $40 for eight weeks at The Retreat include, according to Norma Monik of Healthy Generations, are:
Beginners Gentle Yoga
Mondays and Wednesdays
6:30-7:30 p.m.
This is a yoga class for beginners or for people who just want gentle stretching. Participants can work their way up to a higher-level class or just stay at that level for general fitness. Each session will end with a sequence of supported yoga postures and breathing techniques to help relieve the effect of chronic stress and discomfort.
Power Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m.
This is a dynamic class is designed to increase cardiovascular health and flexibility combining rhythmic movement of body and breath. It is also designed to increase relaxation and well-being.
Yoga I and Yoga II
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6:30-7:30p.m.
These are more intermediate yoga classes that move beyond the fundamentals and teach more poses.
Pilates
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6-6:30 p.m.
A class designed to strengthen the body’s core, this class is suitable for people of all fitness levels, because modifications to each exercise are offered.
Zumba
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6-6:30 p.m.
This is an “Exercise in Disguise” class featuring Latin rhythms. This is a fun and dynamic aerobic workout that combines fast and slow rhythms and resistance training to tone and sculpt your body and burn fat.
Tai Chi
Wednesdays
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Tai Chi consists of classic and simple Qigong and takes five of the traditional movements from Tai Chi. They are done in a stationary standing position or seated. It progresses to movements done in such a way that they are repeated to create a set or form. Through these gentle movements, relaxation, a positive attitude, and health benefits are promoted.
Cardio Play Off The Pounds
Mondays and Wednesdays
5-5:30 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-6 p.m.
“This is a fun way to burn calories and fat,” Monik said. It features something different every time. It could be dance, kick-boxing, working with a stability ball. “Each class is different. You don’t get bored with it,” Monik said.
Gentle Cardio Play Off The Pounds
Mondays and Wednesdays
9:30-10 a.m.
“This is a gentler version for people who don’t really want to get their heart rate up by want to increase their fitness level,” Monik said.
Women On Weights
Mondays and Wednesdays
10-10:30 a.m.
5:30-6 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
5-5:30 p.m.
This is a body-sculpting class, using hand weights, weighted balls, exercise bands and stability balls to make this a total body workout.
