Get in Shape in 2012
by Rowan Beck,
January 12, 2012, page 12.....

The new year has begun, resolutions have been made. One of the most popular resolutions people make is to “get in shape.” Health club memberships increase. Exercise classes, spin bikes, stairmasters, rowing machines and elliptical machines are being occupied at some of the craziest hours. The first 2012 Tuesday morning 6 a.m. spin class at Shelburne Health & Fitness had a wait list of eight people vying for bikes.
Everyone begins with good intentions, but many find that in a month or two their routines get derailed by overtraining, injury, boredom or lack of results. The Charlotte News decided to find out how best to keep this particular resolution on track by speaking with two personal trainers. They had similar answers on how to achieve goals, stay focused and see results. Rayne Herzog of Shelburne Health & Fitness suggests the “buddy system.” He feels it is “very good, you’re committed to meeting someone else.” Ron Dedrick of Vermont Sun Fitness Center in Vergennes suggests, “Make daily workouts as important as brushing your teeth.” Both trainers agree that people need to set realistic goals and start out slowly. Have a reasonable exercise program, one that works for you and your environment. Rayne suggests looking at times of day that work best. “Are you a morning person or are you better in the afternoon? Work with that to find your best time to fit in a workout,” he reccomends. Ron reminds people to think about how long it took to get where they are and to know it will take about six months before they really notice a difference. He adds, “Being fit and healthy is a lifestyle commitment.”
Rayne and Ron suggest one should weight train or do resistance exercises three times a week. Do aerobic exercise as often as your schedule allows. “How individuals progress really depends on their physical ability at the beginning,” Rayne noted. “Go for shorter times and try to get it in four to five times a week. Once a routine is established, it gets easier. For at least a month, one should do base training at low intensity and slowly build from there.” Keeping it fun helps, and, later on, you can work intervals and other variations into your routines.
Both Shelburne Health & Fitness and Vermont Sun have seen an increase in memberships of approximately 25 since the first of the year. People have made commitments, and, as long as they work at their own pace, they should succeed. Another tip to help you achieve your fitness goals is to choose an environment that works for you. If you’re joining a health club, choose one that has facilities that support what you like and want to do. Location is also important. If the club is too far away, you may not go as often as you intend. Convenience is also a factor. If your child has swim team in the afternoon, maybe you can squeeze in a workout while you wait at the pool. Whatever you decide ultimately, it has to work for you. “Really think about the environment that you live in. Figure out when working out is most conducive and get the whole family on board. Make sure you have the support,” Rayne advised.
Rayne has been a certified personal trainer for six years, a coach for 25 years and racer for 17 years. Ron has been a certified trainer for 10 years and has been training himself and others unofficially for 30. Both train people of all ages, from high school to seniors. For more information about Shelburne Health & Fitness or Vermont Sun, see their websites, shelburnehealthandfitness.com or vermontsun.com. There are many other health clubs in the area that may suit your needs; find these by searching the online for health clubs in Chittenden County.