A fit new year
If you want to get healthy in 2016 but don’t know where to start, check out these local exercise options and tips from their instructors:
St. Vincent’s One Nineteen
Ryan Pindroh, health and fitness supervisor
Fitness routines: Pindroh says they have a lot of services that new or current members use.
“If you’re a new member, [we] have an orientation process that includes a general orientation to the fitness floor (resistance machines and cardio equipment). For those looking for a more specialized approach, we offer the triple pack. It consists of three 30-minute sessions. Each is designed to meet your need, whether it be functional workout, advanced cardio or group exercise. The third session offers an experience at our spa with a 30-minute manicure or pedicure or massage, or a nutrition consultation with one of our dietitians.”
Classes: One Nineteen offers group exercise throughout the week, including yoga, Pilates, water aerobics classes, spinning classes and more.
“We pretty much cover the spectrum in group exercise,” Pindroh said. “If that’s the area for you, you’ll be able to find something here. We have one-on-one personal training and group personal training. Our small group training ranges from cardio and core type classes, to reformer ballet fusion, which is like a barre class. We really try to focus on finding the needs of every individual that comes in to our facility.”
They are offering a fitness special with no enrollment and no contract through February. The only cost would be month-to-month dues.
Piece of advice: “The biggest piece of advice I can offer people is really to start small. Set a realistic goal you can meet in the first month. We see a lot of people come in and say they want to lose 50 pounds in two months. Unfortunately, that is a huge stretch. I try to tell people if you’re new to exercise, start with saying ‘I’m going to the gym two days a week for the first month.’ Get more comfortable in your routine, and just get back into the habit of going to the gym and not worrying about what the end goal is. Find something you can enjoy, and then you can start setting other goals for yourself.”
Location: 7191 Cahaba Valley Road
Website: onenineteen.com
Phone: 408-6600
Lemon Tree Yoga, Lee Branch
Krista Young, owner/instructor
Fitness routine: Young says there are many different kinds of yoga, and participants can enjoy a variety of things.
“You can have an active yoga practice up to 90 minutes, lengthening and strengthening flex and balance. You can also get a cardio workout in that type class, as it is a real challenge for the muscles. You can take a more contemplative type class, focused more on inner reflection, meditation and quieting of the mind. This type class will allow you to feel some calmness and stress relief. We’re not just a physical practice, but a spiritual and mental practice as well. When you’re quiet and hear your true self, you can hear things we don’t take time to listen to.”
Classes/Schedule: “We are open seven days a week. We have beginner classes sprinkled throughout the week. We offer more athletic Ashtanga type classes, and also Pilates, which focuses more on the core. On Thursdays, we offer a 30-minute core and stretch class, which has high intensive energy training. It’s an efficient way to knock out all areas at once. On weekends we have restorative type classes, restoring every muscle in your body, focusing on relaxation, complete with cushions and candlelight. We also have a class that’s just deep stretches.”
Piece of advice: Young advises people to get into a habit of doing something every week and making it a priority. “Make it an appointment that you can’t miss. You have to make time for yourself and take care of yourself before you can take care of others. This body is all we’ve got. When I personally have entered times in my schedule for working out as if there’s no option and it’s blocked, I will do it. Also having a buddy can help if you can have someone meeting you there.”
Location: 611 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 116 (Lee Branch Shopping Center)
Website: lemontreeyoga.com
Phone: 913-3491
Pure Barre 280
Deanna Pizitz, co-owner of Pure Barre
Fitness routine: Pizitz said Pure Barre is different in a lot of aspects because it’s a community-based exercise. It is small, isometric movements set to high energy music.
“We try to build our community in our studio. It’s about encouraging women to become stronger. Pure Barre also has a few male attendees, and clients range in age from 14 to 70. It is low impact, and all levels can do it at their own pace. We give hands-on corrections and watch to make sure you’re doing it correctly. We recommend to see best results to come three to four times per week. Classes last 55 minutes and work every part of your body.”
Classes: “We really are focused on lengthening, strengthening, toning and burning calories. We don’t like to focus on the pounds, but it’s more about inches and tightening everything up. With Pure Barre, you don’t have to wait a day in between, because our routines aren’t breaking down muscles. You can do it every day. We have clients that do it five to seven times per week. We encourage people to bring a friend. Everyone will stay accountable if they have someone with them. I’ve had people come in to Pure Barre that never knew each other and became best friends.”
Schedule: Pure Barre offers classes daily from 6 a.m. until 6:45 p.m. during the week and both morning and afternoon classes on weekends. Pizitz said they set up the schedule to give everyone an opportunity to attend a class.
Piece of advice: “Find what you like and stick with it. Give it at least 30 days. You have to give anything 30 days and be committed to it in that month and see the results. You have to enjoy what you’re doing or you won’t do it.”
Location: Pure Barre will be at a new location in 2016: 610 Inverness Corners (next to Winn-Dixie)
Website: purebarre.com/AL-280/
Phone: 991-5224
Tiger Rock Martial Arts, Greystone
Brock Kollars, academy director
Fitness routine: Kollars said they offer programs for all ages, starting for beginners ages 4 to 6 years old.
“We start by building up the mental capacity and basic coordination and taking directions.”
The juniors program for ages 7-12 consists of core Taekwando training. “It’s not just a physical thing, we like to shop in the mind as well,” Kollars said. “We give confidence training and make sure the kids are good role models and positive leaders.”
The youth program is for ages 13-16, and it not only helps with getting kids’ confidence level up during that awkward stage in their life, but also helps them become physically fit and more confident in social situations.
The adult program offers an easy way to not only get in shape by doing calisthenics and aerobics, but also learn self-defense. “This is generally why most people join,” Kollars said.
Classes/Schedule: “We have multiple class times each week. We are open Monday through Saturday. We generally offer our classes two times per day, so that everyone can come either early or late.” Kollars said they teach clients to understand their own limitations, as far as goal setting on a personal level.
“If someone is a good communicator and likes talking to people, they can help build them up with their own skills by positive communication. If someone is a good demonstrator, they can help other people in the class that aren’t as good.”
Piece of advice: “For adults, nothing is holding you back but you. Don’t try and gauge other people on specifically what you should be or what goals you should make. Just make individual goals based on yourself. On a day to day basis, just ask yourself, ‘What can I do to get better?’ We encourage adults that they are never too old to start improving. Training becomes more functional and more rhythmic and make realistic goals and try to apply them.”
Location: 5426 U.S. 280, Suite 10
Website: tigerrockmartialarts.com
Phone: 981-7777
Planet Fitness, Inverness
Jennifer Pilley, fitness trainer Planet Fitness 280
Fitness routine: Planet Fitness offers a judgment free zone, mainly focusing on general fitness. “What most people don’t know is we have a lot of first-time gym users. We have a comfortable, non-intimidating atmosphere,” Pilley said.
Pilley added there are multiple cardio weight resistance machines that are easy to use.
Classes: Planet Fitness offers a 30-minute circuit that provides a full body workout in just 30 minutes, which are popular. The business also offers unlimited fitness training with our fitness trainer, Jennifer Pilley. It takes place in a group setting with no more than five people. She focuses on areas such as arms, legs, abs, shoulders and back. She also has a design-your-own program, where she gets to know the individual, along with their goals and medical history, then designs a workout around their wants and needs. The client gets a copy and can take it with them when they leave.
The no-commitment membership is $10 per month, but with the $19.99 per month black card you get tanning, use of any locations, guest privileges, massage chairs and more.
Piece of advice: “I tell people not to overcommit in January,” said Scott Lyons, owner of Planet Fitness 280. “Start slow, build on where you start from. I’ve seen this for 30 years. Come January 2, people start working out five days a week when they haven’t worked out all year. Start off with something you can achieve and build on that, instead of trying to go all in. Start off slow, then medium speed then go to high speed on the third month.”
Location: 168 Inverness Plaza
Website: planetfitness.com/gyms/birmingham-inverness-al-656 Phone: 408-0020