TRACEY: I asked myself what I like about Aerobic Fitness classes and here is my list:
First & foremost, I like the students. Besides being a fitness class, it is also a social event! It is fun to meet new faces from all walks of life in a friendly welcoming environment who share a common goal of wanting to be fit and healthy. It is great to see students come early or stay late just to talk to the friends they have made in class.
I like the age range of students from 19 – 73. Yes, 73. Joanne started when she was 53 and has been coming consistently for 20 years and she can show you a step or two!
I like that students of all fitness levels can get a super workout in the same class. Step can be done with no step or a 4, 6 or 8 inch step. So, beginners can start low and work up to a higher step and higher fitness level. And the same thing applies to Pilates, Yoga and Weight Training. Beginners can start with smaller weights and modify Pilates moves and Yoga poses.
I like the facility. It is not too big, it is not too small – it is just right. The new hardwood floors are easy on the joints, the 9 ceiling fans and 6 floor fans are a bonus & keep everybody cool, the built in sound system is great and the staff is very accommodating. There are also walking trails at Wills Park that many students use.
I like exercising to good music – not the re-recorded sped-up canned music you hear at most health clubs.
I like being able to do cardio exercise that uses every muscle in every direction and is low impact. Jogging, biking and walking are all cardio exercises, but with step I can get my heart rate up, work more muscles in more directions and it is joint friendly.
I like combining Pilates, Yoga, Weight Training, Balancing, Stretching and Relaxing because they all have benefits. Plus, you don’t get bored doing the same thing all the time.
I like the pencil stretch.
I like that I like going to class. I don’t “have to” go to class, I “get to” go to class. It is something that I look forward to that makes me feel good.
I like having to think. I exercise my brain as well as my body by having to remember step patterns and combinations. Having to concentrate also takes my mind off of problems and helps to relieve stress.
I like setting a good example for my children.
I also love that it works. It is good to hear that your heart, blood pressure, cholesterol ratio, bone density, muscle tone, weight, BMI and flexibility are all good! My internist always says, “Exercise is the magic pill” and she is so right! It is nice to know that the time I have invested in Aerobic Fitness classes is an investment in my health that is paying off in more ways than one!
BARB: Many years ago, 1981, our family started a new life moving from Michigan to Atlanta – knowing no one. Aerobic Fitness offered a class at our Country Club and I quickly signed up. At that time, it was aerobic dance…..yes, think leg warmers and leotards. I was recruited by Tracey to be an instructor and quickly jumped at the opportunity. Me!?! Exactly what I needed when my kids were young – a chance to make friends and do something good for myself.
There have been lots of changes keeping up with the times, moving on to Step, Punch and Crunch, adding Pilates/Yoga moves, but bottom line is what I have gained over these years: energy, stamina, (keeping up with my grandkids) good health, and friendships of a lifetime. Wills Park classes offer a non competitive, friendly location for all ages, shapes and sizes and you can work at your own level.
So here I am 32 years later, still substituting and attending classes. What better way to grow older by NOT feeling your age!
BUFFY: It was 1984, I had recently divorced, bought my own home and was starting over. I thought it was time to get out and try an exercise class, so I signed up for classes with Tracey Hill’s Aerobic Fitness. I had so much fun and met so many people that I have stuck with it for almost 30 years…. with a year off when I got married again. And now at 65, I’m teaching a class, too!
I’ve tried other aerobics classes at clubs and gyms, but the competitive atmosphere is just not for me. Tracey’s routines are designed so that anyone can participate by modifying the workout to their own fitness level. The other people in the classes are always supportive and encouraging. And the friendships you make at class can last a lifetime.
In addition to the Aerobics Fitness classes, yoga is an important component to my exercise routine. It helps to keep me to be flexible and to keep my aging joints working. In the last few years, Tracey has added Pilates moves and yoga poses to her toning routines which makes the class a complete body workout – accessible to all.
Give Aerobic Fitness a try… it’s not what you might expect… it’s most likely a lot more.
CYDNEY: I began taking Tracey’s Aerobic Fitness classes in 2002. Step aerobics has always been my favorite cardio and this class adds toning and balance for a complete workout. There’s no expensive gym membership, no check in process, just walk right in and get the job done. If you’re having a bad day, feeling a little sluggish, there is no better cure. People are super friendly and the energy in the room makes it a pleasure to exercise!
LEE: The Aerobic Fitness program includes bench aerobics, which is a good cardiovascular work-out, and stretching, weight training, and pilates/yoga for flexibility and strength. It’s the best all-around exercise in the area! I have tried lots of different work-out sessions, and this program includes everything you need to stay fit, get toned, lose weight, and reduce stress. Tracey’s music is fun and my classmates have become good friends of mine over the years — and I’ve been coming for at least 15 years. (We’re always happy to add new friends, too!) Plus, if you want to add a little extra cardio and fresh air, we have a group of fun ladies who enjoy walking together at Wills Park several times a week after our morning classes. I really like that the sessions are seamless — no breaks between the sessions so you can keep your momentum going and avoid that 10-pound weight gain during the holidays — and you can make up a class if you miss one. There are plenty of classes from which to choose, too. Oh, and we go to breakfast once a month! Who can beat that?
RACHAEL: I grew up playing on a very competitive soccer team and remained active during my college career. I soon became another person on auto-pilot at the gym and was ready to try something new. In my mind at age 25, a “real workout” had to include running, so I was very skeptical about trying a step aerobics class. And boy was I wrong! I talked to Tracey the day after my first class and I said, “I think my butt shrank 3 sizes yesterday!”
All of those years on the soccer field and treadmill have left my knees feeling crunchy and sore. Aerobic Fitness classes provide just what I need: low impact cardio. The weights, pilates and yoga are an added bonus to complete the full body work out!
The BEST part isn’t about the physical aspect of class that benefits my body. The camaraderie among the ladies is what we all need and enjoy because it benefits the soul. It’s impossible to leave without a smile on your face. Don’t believe me? Just come join us once. You’ll be hooked!