Don’t wait in line for the elliptical this winter. We’ve compiled a list of fun, creative and calorie-burning ways to exercise in the new year.
The Warrior Workout
Norton’s Martial Arts in LaGrange offers a class fit for a gladiator. Instructor Jeannette Benjamin guides you through push-ups, squats and more body sculpting, cardio-boosting calisthenics. “If you do this workout three times a week, you’ll change what your body looks like in six weeks,” says Benjamin. An hour of her Spartacus class will burn more than 500 calories, but the class isn’t competitive. “We modify it to people’s needs, try to focus on the individuals and know what everybody’s injuries are,” says Benjamin, who also owns LaGrange Yoga. 98 N. Center St., LaGrange, 440-935-2891, nortonsmartialarts.net
Peaceful Poses
Relax and ignore your smartphone. Vicky Elwell, the director of Yoga Loft in the Village in Sheffield Village, is Lorain County’s only certified Iyengar yoga instructor. “When you come to yoga, the point is to calm the mind. You’ll be more flexible, but yoga affects other systems of the body — respiratory, circulatory and hormonal,” says Elwell. Iyengar yoga is based on the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar, a world-renowned yoga master. His method focuses on precise poses and individual development that transforms your mind, body and soul. 5445 Detroit Road, Sheffield Village, 440-258-7941, vickyelwell.com
The Boogie Burn
Shake your groove thing with Zumba Zone with Penny. Penny Grieve takes her class on a Latin dance tour with salsa, merengue and more at Tower Sports & Fitness in Lorain. In one hour you can burn 600 to 1,000 calories. The high-energy class helped Grieve lose 47 pounds in her first year. Grieve tailors the class to your body’s limits. “You don’t need rhythm at all to take Zumba,” she says. “You can go at your own pace. If I’m jumping around, you don’t have to jump.” 1121 Tower Blvd., Lorain, 440-823-9521, towersports.zxq.net or zumbazone.wix.com/penny
Upward Bound
Climb high at Lorain County Community College’s High and Low Ropes Course and Rock Wall. The climbing wall and ropes course will challenge your limits — body and mind. “You get what you put into it. To get a good workout, you’ll have to do some climbing,” says Lisa Augustine, interim dean of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Student Life. The Wilder Woosey course pushes participants 35 feet above ground. “Even the low ones challenge your core. It’s mostly strength and endurance. It’s a great way to relieve stress and overcome fears while obtaining fitness gains,” says Augustine. 1005 N. Abbe Road, Elyria, 440-366-7352, lorainccc.edu
