Power Up Your Fitness this Monday with Group Activities

July 17, 2023 by Leave a comment

Planks, jumping jacks, mountain climbers – when you do them together it can be more fun, more challenging, and science says, better for you. Build a routine on Monday with some fresh ideas for group fitness.Need some ideas to get motivated?

  • Group Challenges – We’ve got five great group challenges to share. Do some jabs or high knees with your colleagues this Monday – it will bring you together and be a collective stress buster. Pow! It’s much better than an office water cooler.
  • Friends & Family – Get a friend or family member and schedule regular times to meet at the gym, work out at a nearby park, or follow along to a fitness routine in your living room. Even 30 minutes a few times a week will make a difference.
  • Take a Class – cardio, Tango, Zumba, strength training, swimming, yoga, Pilates, spin – the list of classes offered at a neighborhood gym or community center will surprise you. A good instructor will have a following and be a cheerleader, able to get everyone in the mood to stretch their limits, together.

In a study comparing results from group fitness and individual fitness, group exercise participants made greater improvements in all areas, including stress reduction.

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Strength Training with What You’ve Got on Hand

July 10, 2023 by Leave a comment

If you’re just starting with a new strength-training regimen or trying to maintain a healthy weight, the last thing you want to think about is spending money on heavy weights and elaborate machinery. Exercise equipment can be expensive, cumbersome, and bulky, which is why it often ends up covered in cobwebs rather than sweat. But you don’t need a treadmill, weights, or a squat rack to build muscle at home; with a little creativity, you can fashion a number of household items into fitness gear.

If you want to recreate the feeling of free weights, look no further than your kitchen or pantry. Cans of soups or beans typically weigh 1 – 2 pounds; they are also the right shape to fit snuggly in the palm of your hand, making them perfect for bicep curls and tricep extensions. The next door to explore is that of your refrigerator. A quart of liquid (juice, milk, water, etc.) weighs approximately 4 – 5 pounds (you can step up the weight by using a gallon jug, which weighs closer to 8 pounds). These bottles are easy to grip, which is why they’re useful for exercises that engage a number of muscle groups like body squats, lunges, or shoulder presses.

For a workout that strengthens your core, grab a couple of hand towels. Yes, you read correctly. By placing a towel under each foot, you can do a number of different abdominal exercises — mountain climbers, knee tucks, and feet pikes — more effectively. This Monday, change up your workout by engineering your own equipment.

Source: Strength Training with What You’ve Got on Hand

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Saturday starts Family Open Gym at Oakhurst Rec!

July 7, 2023 by Leave a comment

Join us for Open Gym at Oakhurst Rec Center! 🏀

Get ready to shoot some hoops and unleash your basketball skills! Starting this Saturday, July 8th.

1️⃣ Family Open Gym:
🗓️ Every Saturday
⏰ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Bring the whole family for a fun-filled basketball experience. It’s a perfect opportunity to bond, stay active, and enjoy quality time together on the court!

2️⃣ Teen Open Gym (13-17):
🗓️ Every other Saturday, starting July 8th
⏰ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Calling all teens aged 13-17! Show off your skills & compete with friends!

3️⃣ Adult Open Gym (18+):
🗓️ Every other Saturday, starting July 15th
⏰ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Attention adults (18+), it’s time to dust off those basketball shoes and join us for a friendly co-ed game.

Oakhurst Recreation Center,
450 East Lake Drive

Filed under Adult Sports, City of Decatur, Decatur Parks & Rec, Exercise, Teens, Youth Sports Tagged with , ,

Wednesday Walks

July 3, 2023 by Leave a comment

Living close to parks and recreation facilities has incredible benefits for both adults and youth. Studies consistently show that proximity to these spaces is linked to higher physical activity levels. Get ready to lace up your sneakers and experience the positive impact firsthand!

But the benefits don’t stop there. Parks also provide a vital connection to nature, offering a sanctuary of tranquility and wellness. Research demonstrates that spending time in nature can relieve stress, strengthen interpersonal relationships, and enhance mental health. It’s a win-win for your body and mind!

Join us this Wednesday at 9 a.m. in front of the Decatur Recreation Center for an invigorating 2-3 mile walk around Decatur’s vibrant neighborhoods. Embrace the fresh air, enjoy the scenic views, and connect with like-minded individuals who prioritize their well-being.

At Decatur Parks & Recreation, we understand the importance of equitable opportunities for all community members to stay active. Our dedicated park and recreation professionals play a key role in ensuring that everyone has equal access to these transformative experiences.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic chance to improve your physical and mental well-being while exploring our beautiful community. Grab a friend, bring your family, and let’s walk together towards a healthier and happier lifestyle!

See you Wednesday at 9 a.m. in front of the Decatur Recreation Center. Let’s make every step count!

#WhereCommunityGrows #growththroughhealthandwellbeing #decaturparksandrec

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Outdoor Activities for a Summer Time Sweat

June 26, 2023 by Leave a comment

There’s no substitute for being outdoors. The fresh air, the sunshine, the cool breeze — it’s all invigorating, especially if you’ve been cooped up inside. This Monday, let nature be your gymnasium by adding some outside-activities to your workout routine.

Exercising in a park or wooded area, especially during the summer months, is an excellent way to experience all the sights, sounds, and smells of nature while also getting in your daily physical activity.

But what can you do to stay fit outdoors? A whole lot. Sure, you can start with a simple jog to warm up, but there are many more interesting/exhilarating activities you can do outside, depending on the type of adventure you seek.

Biking

Even at a leisurely pace, biking offers a number of health benefits including increased cardiovascular ability and muscle strength, decreased stress levels, and improved posture and mobility. When riding in the park, try to wear bright or fluorescent colors so that pedestrians can easily see you from a distance away.

Gardening

Weeding, planting, watering, and harvesting can do you a lot of good. Gardening has been shown to improve vitamin D exposure, boost mood, and reduce risk of dementia. Squatting, bending, and sweating is good for the soul as well as joint health and mobility.

Lawn Sports

Frisbee, croquet, and horseshoes don’t have to be relegated to backyard cookouts. These leisurely sports can be a great source of low-intensity physical activity. They’re mobile, simple to set up, and they can be quite entertaining if you’ve got a competitive side.

Nature Hike

It can be through a park, wooded area, or even your own backyard, taking a nature hike (or walk) is one-part physical activity, one-part stress relief. Call your local park service; they should be able to direct you to a list of approved trails and hikes.

Swimming

Lake, pond, or pool, swimming is a great aerobic exercise that will keep you cool and refreshed (and maybe a little out of breath). Try doing laps or make a game out of it if you’re with a friend or partner.

Source: Outdoor Activities for a Summer Time Sweat

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International Day of Yoga

June 21, 2023 by Leave a comment

Happy International Day of Yoga and Summer Solstice!

For International Yoga Day, people around the world are all set to take out their yoga mats and start exercising, but they might not be aware that yoga goes back centuries.
Yoga is considered to be an ancient practice that originated 5,000 years ago in India. Yoga was developed as a way to interconnect the mind, body and soul to step closer into enlightenment. As the practice became popular in the west, it became popularized as an exercise and relaxation method, with claims to help the body’s general well-being, alleviate physical injuries and chronic pain.

The idea of International Yoga Day was first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 27, 2014, during his speech at the UN General Assembly, where a resolution to establish June 21 as International Yoga Day was introduced by India’s Ambassador, Asoke Kumar Mukerji.

The date of June 21 was chosen as it is the Summer Solstice, the day where there is the most sun out of every other day of the year.

You can join Yoga with Cheryl at the Decatur Rec Center, Tuesdays for Slow Flow Yoga and Thursdays for Deep Stretch Yoga. Both classes start at 10 a.m., sign up for the month or just drop in when you can! Sign up through CommunityPass or stop by the front desk at DRC.

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Upcoming Adventures!

June 14, 2023 by Leave a comment

Email Jada Jordan to RSVP for Trails & Ales and Hiking Club.

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Achieve Your Fitness Goals with Family and Friends this Monday

June 5, 2023 by Leave a comment

family fitness walking

A study looking at group fitness showed that physical, mental, and emotional quality of life improves when participants exercise together. It could also lead to a significant improvement in mood and well-being.

So, instead of working out solo, grab a friend, or your whole family. Here are some fun group fitness ideas:

  • Take a fitness class together like Zumba or Pilates
  • Walk or jog a Monday Mile
  • Grab some bikes and take a bike ride
  • Do some mini-exercises together
  • Sign-up for a dance class, where partners are part of the fun!
  • Roll out your mats and take a yoga class
  • Organize a game in a court, like basketball or volleyball

Do some group fitness with your family and friends on Monday to be happy and healthy, together.

Filed under City of Decatur, Decatur Parks & Rec, Exercise, Healthy Monday, Monday Campaigns Tagged with , ,

Move It For Your Mood

May 22, 2023 by

Physical activity comes with psychological and physiological benefits that can help improve mood and manage stress.

All forms of exercise — from walking and jogging to yoga and weight lifting — can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Plus, many forms of movement are free, accessible to all individuals, and doesn’t come with any unpleasant side effects (when done properly).

Both high- and low-intensity workouts offer physiological benefits by triggering a series of chemicals events that help improve brain function and regulate mood. That means, regardless of your current level of physical fitness, there are plenty of exercises and movements you can practice — anytime or anywhere — to help relieve stress.

But how much physical activity is necessary to start feeling the benefits? The Mayo Clinic suggests doing 30 minutes of exercise a day for three to five days a week, but don’t feel like you have to get it all done in one session.

Beginning this Monday, try to record 150 minutes of physical activity per week by using our list of small steps to get you moving. Because getting active doesn’t have to be a workout.

Source: Exercise the Body and Mind with Tai Chi

Filed under City of Decatur, Decatur Parks & Rec, Exercise, Healthy Monday, Monday Campaigns Tagged with , , ,

Exercise the Body and Mind with Tai Chi

May 15, 2023 by

Tai chi is a Chinese discipline that brings together the mind, body, and spirit to strengthen your physical and mental resolve. The basic principles of tai chi involve integrating the mind and body, controlling movements and breathing, and generating internal energy.

Did you know that Decatur Parks & Rec offers a variety of Tai chi and Qigong classes? Check them out here: taichi4lifecoop.org

So how can you use this ancient practice to get moving on Monday? A 45-minute session of tai chi might not leave you covered in sweat, but regularly practicing a variety of poses can strengthen the lower- and upper-body, improve flexibility, balance, and aerobic conditioning, and quiet unruly thoughts.

Similar to introductory yoga poses, tai chi movements are simple to execute and low-impact, making them easier on the joints and muscles and generally safe for any fitness level. Even people with certain health conditions can practice by making modifications if needed.

Tai chi can be practiced from the comfort of your bedroom or living room, but before giving it a try search online for videos with experienced instructors who can explain the movements and methods. These movements may not be appropriate for all fitness levels, so remember to start slow. If you have concerns or a history of injury, please first check with your doctor to discuss the appropriate course of action.

Source: Exercise the Body and Mind with Tai Chi

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