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Flexible Benefits

We may take part in aerobic activity such as tennis or the treadmill to improve our cardiovascular endurance and burn fat. We may weight train to maintain lean muscle tissue and build strength. These are two very important elements but there is a third. Often neglected flexibility training is a very important element to our commitment to better health. Flexibility training allows us greater freedom of movement and improved posture. It increases physical and mental relaxation, releases muscle tension and soreness, reduces risk of injury. Before stretching, take a few minutes to warm up as stretching cold muscles can cause injury. Spend at least 5 to 10 minutes warming up prior to stretching.

When performing any Stretch:
• Start each stretch slowly, exhaling as you gently stretch the muscle.
• Try to hold each stretch for at least 10 to 30 seconds.

Avoid these stretching mistakes:
• Don’t bounce a stretch
• Don’t stretch a muscle that is not warmed up
• Don’t strain or push a muscle too far. If a stretch hurts ease up
• Don’t hold your breath

Ideally one should try to spend at least 30 minutes, three times per week stretching. Even a mere 5 minutes of stretching at the end of an exercise session is better than nothing. Here are a few tips for fitting stretching into ourbusy overstuffed schedules:
• Trying doing stretches immediately after a shower or after getting out of the hot tub; while muscle temperature is elevated.
• Try a few simple stretches before getting out of bed in the morning. Wake yourself up with a few full body stretches by pointing the toes and reaching the arms above your head.

Katherine Hall, Personal Trainer
Life Style Fitness at BRC, 703-3148

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Aquatic Classes Begin June 8th

Looking for a new summer fitness program and a little gravity lift? Come try out BRC’s summer aquatic classes. First week participants will enter a drawing to win equipment and other prizes. That is a little incentive to brave the early June water temperatures, but once we start moving the water is perfect. This year BRC club members can try out a class for half price on Fridays in June. That is only $3.50 a class. All classes will remain $7.00 per hour class and a
$70.00 for an eleven class pass. Equipment used in class is available for sale/rent at pool-side.

Here is the summer line-up:
Shallow/Deep Cardio Resistance
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 am

Deep Water Cardio/Core Training
Tuesday, Thursday Evenings 7:00 p.m.

Deep Water Running
Saturday (dates to be added)

Aqua Boot Camp
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 am
Three, week long sessions – June 15, July 13, August 3

These 6:00 am classes are guaranteed to produce total fitness results and add fun to fitness.
Personal aquatic training, nutrition and weight-loss programs available individual and small groups. Also, sports cross training available for teams and individuals.

Call or email Nancy Lerma with any specific questions, 326-8714 or nancy@brctennis.com