By Trevor Wilhelm
Spring is here and for many, it’s time to shake the dust off the running shoes, break out the shiny spandex shorts, water bottle, fanny pack and head to the gym.
“Definitely March, April and May are our busiest times of the year,” says Jackie Cowan, owner of Physical Limits Health and Fitness Centre on Slater Street.
François Gagnon, a personal trainer at Momentum Athletics on Bank Street, also says he sees more customers in the spring trying to get in shape for the summer.
Cowan says aerobics classes are the most popular exercises.
“You don’t have to be self-motivated,” she says. “You only need to get here in a pair of tights and someone else will push you.”
Spinning is also a popular fad says Cowan. Spinning classes are taught by professional cyclists.
The classes are done indoors on stationary bikes and simulate pack cycling.
“People go through the mental images together. That’s what’s appealing,” says Cowan.
Riding up and down hills, and even going around corners is made more realistic by adjusting tension levels on the bike.
The activity builds up core strength as well as developing confidence.
“You can experience that feeling on a [stationary] bike, except you don’t have to worry about crashing and hurting yourself,” says Cowan. “It really works amazingly.”
She also says that people should stick to activities they are comfortable with. “The best exercise is the one you love the most.”
But the rush to start exercising can often result in injury because people try to do too much too fast.
Tina Corriveau, fitness supervisor at the YMCA on Argyle Street, says people need to get active.
“But don’t push it. Don’t get out there and just go crazy,” she says. “Pace yourself.”
Corriveau says instead of starting at a level-three aerobics class, or going for a long run, beginners should start off walking or in a basic aerobic class.
Cowan agrees. “First and foremost, don’t overdo it,” she says. “Do small amounts and build up over time.”
Cowan says that her club’s health clinic also becomes more popular in the spring.
“Physiotherapy is appealing because people start to exercise in spring,” she says. “They tend to overdo it and pull or tear things.”
Corriveau also warns against severe injury. She says if people do not warm up properly, they can rip or pull a muscle , and “muscles take forever to heal,” she says.
Corriveau says that in extreme cases, heart failure can result from not warming up, then trying to exercise beyond your ability.
To avoid physiotherapy or worse, says Corriveau, “everybody should warm up for at least five or six minutes.”
She says this can be done by simply walking around.
“Do warm up stretches before any type of exercise,” she says. “Follow with stretches at the end of the workout as well to promote flexibility and prevent injury.”
Gagnon adds that goals must be realistic. He says many people come in and want to be physically fit “by yesterday.”
Corriveau says she understands how people can hurt themselves.
“I’ve injured my muscles many times by not warming up properly or not stretching after, or overdoing it,” she says. “I’m a fitness supervisor but I’ve still done it.”
Cowan also mentioned that people tend to think a fitness club is the only venue for exercise. She says a fitness club has advantages but stresses it is not the only way. “It’s all about being physically active, so exercising can be anything, even cleaning the house,” says Cowan. “Just be active in your day to day life.”