One of the top New Year’s resolutions is starting an exercise program. But which one? There are so many fitness methods to consider, making it daunting to choose one that is best for your goals.
One way to start is with a personal trainer. Rasha Adhima has been one at the Jayhawk Club for 18 months. His job is to tailor a client’s workout according to their ability and needs. He assesses their form and body alignment and strategizes corrective exercises if needed to avoid injuries. He also shares tips on designing a program and building confidence so they can eventually perform the routines independently and safely.
“I listen to their goals and encourage future goals,” Adhima says. “I also keep them on track with their progress, and my favorite part, I give them homework between sessions. Some comply more than others.”
Adhima notes it’s a myth to think only beginners need a personal trainer. “Fitness journeys are endless, intensive research and research is perpetual. The assistance of a personal trainer through their fitness journeys sheds more light on the possibilities, directions, and resources to succeed. The relationship between the trainer and the client plays a major factor in staying motivated. Regular communication outside the frame of sessions is crucial to keep them cared for and accountable.”
For information on joining The Jayhawk Club and scheduling a session with Adhima, visit thejayhawkclub.com.
For 50 years, Jazzercise has been known as the dance-party workout. However, this exercise method has moved way past the legwarmers and leotards of the 1980s generation. Today a 60-minute class provides a high-intensity combination of cardio, strength, Pilates, hip-hop, yoga, and kickboxing.
"Jazzercise has continuously evolved with the times," says Amy Sand, owner of the Jazzercise studio in Lawrence. "Current music, current moves, and constantly changing and adapting, so it never gets boring."
Sand has been teaching Jazzercise for 15 years and has owned the Lawrence studio for the past eight years. Not particularly athletic growing up, she started an aerobics club in high school where they would work out to Kathy Smith and Denise Austin's videos. When she discovered Jazzercise, she says it was love at first class.
For first-timers, Sand encourages them to stand towards the front of the class so they can see the instructor better. However, she says they hardly ever take her advice and usually hide in the back. The studio offers a buddy program, which pairs people with a workout partner for support, motivation, and friendship.
"It's important for everyone to find a form of exercise that is enjoyable and not a chore," she says. "It's easy to stay motivated if you're doing something you enjoy and it becomes a part of your routine. Jazzercise isn't just a fun and effective workout. We're also an amazing, supportive community, so it's easier to stay motivated when you want to dance with your friends every day."
For information visit jazzercise.com/location/jazzercise-lawrence-fitness-center.
The early days of the COVID pandemic saw many people purchasing exercise bikes for at-home workouts. As lockdowns and fears eased, more and more home riders are venturing to indoor cycling studios like Free State Ride at Body Boutique. You can enjoy a simulated outdoor cycling adventure in a theater-style setting, with a rocking sound system and fantastic light effects.
“Virtual classes are very convenient,” says Shannon Williams, a cycling teacher at Body Boutique. “But I think you get more out of your workout with an in-person class. You have an instructor and other members there to help motivate you and push you to do more than you would on your own. Sometimes the energy in the room is electric and leaves you feeling amazing. It’s hard to generate that same energy in a virtual class.”
A cycling class consists of a warm-up, extended ride of drills, cool-down, and stretching routine. The drills combine climbs, flats, jumps, sprints, sit and stands, single-leg pedaling movements, and cadence drills.
According to Williams, cycle classes work for any fitness level. “One of my favorite things about cycling is that it’s high cardio but easy on the joints. Start slow. Add a little bit at a time. You don’t have to go all in all at once.”
Williams has worked at Body Boutique for eight years and taught cycling classes for the last five years. She says, “When I’m teaching, I try to give 100 percent. I genuinely love teaching, so when members see that, it motivates them to give a little more, too. I also try to educate them on the benefits of exercising and how it can help in their day-to-day lives. Great music and cheesy jokes help too.”
Go to bodyboutiquefitness.com/cycling for information and to sign up for a one-week free trial pass.
Are you looking for a new workout? Something different than the typical gym experience? Pure Barre may be the answer. This exercise method offers a unique full-body, low-impact, high-intensity activity focused on improving muscle tone, strength, agility, and flexibility.
“I promise you’ve never done a workout like this before,” says Carrie Barton, who has owned the Lawrence location with Kim Ashley for six years. “Pure Barre is intelligently designed to deliver the best, safest workout for all body types. You won’t swing heavy weights or perform movements repeatedly that will cause wear and tear on your body in our classes. Every class is designed to fatigue your muscles in a smart and attainable way.”
Pure Barre specializes in barre, familiar to anyone who has seen a ballet class. The workouts can be adapted to fit all body types and fitness levels. Barton notes she continued to teach classes while pregnant twice until she gave birth.
She adds, “I have taught Pure Barre for over ten years and have welcomed men and women of all types into the studio. People with knee replacements, rheumatoid arthritis, hip injuries, multiple sclerosis, pregnancy, and much more. You don’t have to look like the person next to you, and in fact, you shouldn’t. Your workout isn’t their workout and vice versa.”
Pure Barre is located at 4821 W 6th Street. Join a free Foundations weekly class to learn the Pure Barre technique. After class, the studio will guide you to the right workout package. purebarre.com/location/lawrence-ks
