Gentle Exercise Classes for Women Who Hate to Jump Around

[Barefoot]

I'm wondering if anyone can suggest some gentle exercise options? Unfortunately I don't like getting cold and wet which lets out swimming. And I am definitely not a morning person, which rules out a lot of stuff. I don't want to jump around with weights. Oh yeah, my memory is shot, which rules out line dancing and tai chi. 040

Currently I do Qigong, gentle Yoga, stretch and tone and synergetics (but I found body sculpting too taxing). I do walk every day when I'm at the Dog park. I've love to know about anything else I've missed. ;)

[Mintjulep]

BF,
Don't know if you ever saw the information for Bodyflex, but it's wonderful!!
I started doing it before partly for migraines as it brings so much oxygen in to your body.
But also lost a ton of inches!
It incorporates beep breathing with isotonic and isometric exercises and you do most of it sitting in a chair. And takes less than 20. mins.,,, in you PJ's or whatever. Different from yoga tho.
Also helps increase flexibility.

I LOVED it, don't know what happened that I slipped out of doing it, but have just started back.


www.bodyflex.com

[beady]

Mint:
Does it really work?

I am always doubtful of the advertisements that claim weigh loss and inch loss.

All done while sitting down? Wow! Sounds to good to be true, is it?

:dontknow: :dontknow:

[Mintjulep]

Beady,
I have to say, for me at least, it was the best exercise thing I've ever done for myself.
I was doubtful too, and I've tried em all, (I was the informercial QUEEN!).

The breathing is the key tho, never seen anything like it.
Hilarious the first time you watch the video. But Wow,,, does it make you feel good!

The Bodyflex lady (Greer Childress) also has a book called "Be a Loser' , which goes into more detail about why her program works. I also enjoyed the book alot. Fun reading.

GOOD GRIEF!!! I sound like a commericial!! :yikes:

Actually, I kind of expected to see a Bodyflex class or group here at TV.

[beady]

Okay, great. Thanks , Mintjulip, for the clarification. I am going to find the book and see if it's something I'd like to try.
Like Barefoot said ,I am beyond the jumping and bouncing but still need some form of exercise that will be effective. I am going to go back to walking and your program along with Yoga seems like it might be a good mix.

[ConeyIsBabe]

On the topic of exercise, I've been meaning to ask this question but I suspect the answer is no (?) Is there any INDOOR heated swimming pool in TV?

With a bad back and weak knees, I don't play golf or tennis or aerobics etc. but one of my best options for exercising is at my local fitness center. It has ALL the amenities available at the best gyms, including two heated indoor swimming pools, one is 80 degrees, and hot spa at 103 degrees. The entire wall of the facility is made of glass which overlooks the mountains and in the winter, one can be swimming indoors and looking at the snow falling !! However, I think I'd rather be looking at palm trees LOL.

So, when the weather is cool and rainy......... is there an option to swim indoors at TV ???????

[villages07]

Coney,

The only indoor pool is at the wellness center....you can search for other posts on the costs to join.

However, all the outdoor pools are heated to 82-85 degrees; with the rare cool, rainy day exceptions, you can swim in the outdoor pools all year round and get your palm tree view fix at the same time. I would advise using the outdoor pools for a year first and if you don't feel you're getting enough pool time, check out the wellness center.

[Barefoot]

Wow Mintjulep, that is quite a testimonial! Usually I don't believe any commercials I see on TV, but I may just try Bodyflex. Except I guess I need a DVD player. >:( There must be some activities offered in The Villages which are gentle and effective.

Coney: As V7 said, outdoor pools are heated. Our neighbourhood pool is heated to 83 degrees and many people swim daily. Unfortunately I hate being cold and wet, so I only swim on really hot days.

Beady, perhaps we should try the Springdale Walking Trail. It is up in your area. Dogs can go on a leash, tho I don't know if Bosun would be up for it.

At the dog park, 3 times around the back field equals one mile (I am told). Since I'm there every day anyway, guess that is my best bet. I could replace gabbing and socializing with walking!! :clap2:

[Just Susan]

Barefoot, something you may want to try is Fit Tv...a channel on the tv. These two classes are a combination of yoga/pilates movements. Cathe Friedrich has three different levels to these classes. Level 1 is great for me even level 2. Haven't seen 3 yet. I am Tivo-ing them and will then make DVD's of them to use at home. You might like these classes. I know I do.
http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/mermaid3.gif (http://www.millan.net)

FitTV :: TV Listings :: Core Max : Cathe Friedrich
Series TV Schedule
fittv.discovery.com/tv-schedules/series.html?paid=56.14645.112271.29212.x


FitTV :: TV Listings :: Stretch Max : Cathe Friedrich
Series TV Schedule
fittv.discovery.com/tv-schedules/series.html?paid=56.14645.112270.29211.x

[Time for Tee]

:agree: :agree: Check out Girltalk. I gave a few prices for the Wellness Center on classes. Only problem --Lots of physical people there all of the time.Makes me feel like a wimp that I am not on a machine.

[ConeyIsBabe]

Time For Tee....... I'm already sold on joining the Wellness Center because it sounds much like the one I belong to; and I don't use all those machines either - only a few favorite easy ones LOL . Do you know if Wellness Center has its own website?

[Hyacinth Bucket]

I thought in one of the centers they had exercise equipment and classes that was free to village residents.

Does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks,

Hyacinth Bucket

[Time for Tee]

I cannot find a Website :dontknow:but have a information phone number for the Wellness center. It is 753-6910 This is next to the hospital but from my understanding is a completely separate business. The hospital has its own cardio department and Physical Therapy. You can sign for a class each month or for three or six months. They love to give tours!
All of the regional centers have sessions that are free --Giggles and Shakes, low impact, line dancing, etc. In the paper every day in Lifestyle under Recreation. Every local and regional are listed. Big days seem to be Tues. and Thurs. morn. Very crowded Feb. and March so have to arrive early. For some reason I am always late when I arrive on time??

[villages07]

Hyacinth,

The following regional rec centers have fitness centers: Laurel Manor, Mulberry Grove, and Colony Cottage. However, they are not free to use....you can use by the day ($5 per day) or join by month, semi annual, or year. These are basically unsupervised rooms...no personal trainers or organized classes. For the 'full' gym experience, the wellness center is it.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

07, thanks for the info. I just assumed there would be a club here that was supported from the amenity fees. Seemed like they had so much to offer and that is why I assumed this.

See ya.

HB

[Barefoot]

Seems like golf and pickleball are the primary "free" amenities. Sadly, I am so unco-ordinated I can't manage them. They do offer intermediate yoga and line dancing free, but for the beginners/dummy introduction to yoga and line dancing, you have to go to the lifelong learning college and pay.

Also, all fitness centers have a charge. I stuck my head in the one at Laurel Manor, and saw a bunch of people working very hard on treadmills and stairs. Made me so tired I had to go home and have a nap.

Alas, most activities are in the morning, which lets me out as I don't function at the mornings. However I've found something gentle to do almost every afternoon. Just need to experiment. I've also found walking at the Dog Park to be delightful, as well as swimming on the really hot days.

Loving it in the Villages
Dreading the time I have to snowbird back to Canada
BF

[Boomer]

OK, I admit to reading AARP and have subscribed since they first hit me up on my 50th birthday.

This month's issue has a piece about Brain Yoga. I had never heard of Brain Yoga, but I thought it sure could not hurt to find out more.

I went into the website and found a link to the article so I could share it with you. If you are interested, just scroll down to where it talks about "Mental Muscle" and try to follow the directions. I can grab my earlobes fine, but those deep knee bends can get pretty tricky with nothing to hang on to except your own earlobes.

But I am going to keep trying and thought you might like to join me. I guess you will know that it is working for me if I suddenly begin to use really big words or something.

Here's the link: http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/your_brain_on_exercise.html

Are any of you using those exercise balls as desk chairs? I have been wondering if Barefoot ever got the one she bought blown up.

Boomer

[another Linda]

I'm here in TV now but have been bursting at the seams with company. When I get a breather, I'll call the graduate student who works in my office about sitting on the exercise ball. In the meantime, it is wonderful here!

[nONIE]

Another Linda,

When you get some free time give me a call, we can try that slow and easy bike ride thru the villages. We have Village Kid and Red to join us,in the meantime enjoy your company! ;D

[njgranny]

I love Leslie Sansons's walking tapes. They give you some toning exercises along with "walking." Best of all you can do it at home when it's raining. (no snow in TV).

I have one that has a belt with stretchy bands on it. It's good for the abs.

This is the first exercise I've ever done in years. :)

Here's one of the websites for her tapes.

http://www.lesliesansonevideos.com/

[sandybill2]

I loved reading this page. Made me laugh alot. I, also, am not a morning person, also looked into the Laurel Manor Fitness Center--know what you are talking about---am "line danced" challenged--only know The Electric Slide----still trying to find my "niche" in the villages. Just moved in permanently first of November---have had non-stopped company so my exercise has been mostly cooking, cleaning, eating and entertaining but what a glorious place to do everything, anything and nothing!!!!

[Barefoot]

More girl talk:

I thank everyone for their input regarding tapes and CDs which you can do at home. Unfortunately I am not motivated to do anything at home which doesn't involve sleeping or eating (hmmm, could that be one of my problems?) I find it motivating to have to show up at an activity and be in a roomful of women all doing the same exercises. Also, I don't want a "heavy" workout like you get at the Fitness Centers.

I've found QiGong, Yoga, Stretch & Tone, and Synergetics to be wonderful activites offered locally. I showed up for Body Sculpting but dancing around with weights just doesn't do it for me. Just wondering if anyone is enjoying an easy, fun and beneficial activity at a local recreation center?

P.S. I've now spent over nine days on TOTV. If I'd spent that amount of time exercising, I'd now weigh 97 lbs.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hi BF,

I know all to well what you mean by having Cd's and David's to exercise with. I think they all went in the last yard sale.

It seems as if I am only motivated when either I buy the items or make a commitment to do something with someone else.

I wonder if many of us have all of these excellent materials in our homes to exercise or relax with. Mine become dust collectors.

I will have to try some of the things that you do. I am physically unable to do yoga or certain other maneuvers.

I circled all the aqua aerobic classes and am now waiting for warmer weather or water temperature of the pools to be similar to the Caribbean.

I will admit, like all of you, my fingers get the most exercise as I am addicted to TOTV.

[Rokinronda]

I have a 1979 Jane Fonda workout video my darling husband bought me >:(that I swear by and still use on occasion. Starts off with stretching and has mostly isometric exercises. From 1979-1998 I would do the 25 minute low impact routine 3 days a week with my girlfriend, starting April fools day, and be ready for swimwear by the end of May. (We lived at the beach) After almost 20 years of my yearly ritual I quit. It shows!! I do feel better when I exercise. In Nov. when I noticed my great grandma's arms in the mirror I started to do some of the routine again,10 minutes here and there and it does do the trick for some firming up. Maybe we can start our own club (GIRLS ONLY and please not on the 4th tee at OB!! sorry guys :redface:) and we could all contribute something as I would love to learn some yoga or other stretching and firming techniques.

[pqrstar]

Got one of those exercise balls to use at the computer.
Had to get the 65 cm size for desk height.

I think it improves posture and I bounce and roll a bit when I get tired of sitting in the same position. I hope it improves the muscles in the lower spine. It seems like it would.

It is quite refreshing.
Thanks for your suggestion.


:bigthumbsup:

[Boomer]

Got one of those exercise balls to use at the computer.
Had to get the 65 cm size for desk height.

I think it improves posture and I bounce and roll a bit when I get tired of sitting in the same position. I hope it improves the muscles in the lower spine. It seems like it would.

It is quite refreshing.
Thanks for your suggestion.


:bigthumbsup:



-glad you like the exercise ball. I think it's fun. It's also good to use while watching television. Actually, at this very moment, I am sitting on the exercise ball, typing, scratching my dog's ears, AND watching television. --- oh I am such a multi-tasker. :)

[Mintjulep]

I have been looking for a plain ole bicycle, or maybe a beach cruiser, without hand brakes.
Just the old fashioned kind where you push the petals backwards to stop.
Anyone have any ideas of the best place to find one?
The best ones like that I've seen are always mens. I guess I'm tall enough that I Could straddle that bar on a mens if I Had to. But I'd sure prefer not to.

[Boomer]

I have been looking for a plain ole bicycle, or maybe a beach cruiser, without hand brakes.
Just the old fashioned kind where you push the petals backwards to stop.
Anyone have any ideas of the best place to find one?
The best ones like that I've seen are always mens. I guess I'm tall enough that I Could straddle that bar on a mens if I Had to. But I'd sure prefer not to.

Hi MintJ,

You just described my bike. I am extremely uncoordinated and I absolutely cannot get used to handbrakes. Several years ago I went on a quest for a bike without them. I found a Schwinn. It has the old-fashioned kind of brakes, but it does have a few, though not too many, gears which make hills better. The tires are fatter and it is a girls' style.

I bought it at a bicycle store. It was new. I remember at the time I was so thrilled to know such a bike existed.

I just now went out into the garage to see if there was any more to the name than just Schwinn. There should be a model. But the bike is hanging from the ceiling so I can't get a close look right now. For some reason I think it may be called The Cruiser, but I may have just made that up.

I am embarrassed to say how long it has been since I have ridden it. But I do love it. Maybe I can move it to TV someday.

Good luck on your search.

Boomer

[Mintjulep]

Thanx Boomer,
Hey, maybe it can replace your exercise ball when you're in TV. Then you could get out and see stuff and exercise at the same time,,, multitask!!!

I'll check the Schwinn website, see what they have. And where I can buy it.