keeping motivated, says Molly Suhadolnik, director of group fitness and wellness at Gold’s Gym in Springfield. Boredom can easily rob you of the will to work out, Suhadolnik says. That’s why Gold’s Gym offers Crossfit classes – strength and conditioning workouts that change each time, so your body never falls prey to monotony.
“It’s highly varied, so you never ever get bored with it,” Suhadolnik says. “Every time you come, it’s something new. There are some familiar things thrown in there, but it never gets boring.”
Suhadolnik says Crossfit not only keeps you moving in new and challenging ways, but it provides pointers on nutrition, so all that hard work isn’t wasted. There’s even a Crossfit Kids Methods class, so children as young as four years can stay active and learn at the same time.
“You get out of it what you put in,” says Ashley Hooker, sales director at Gold’s Gym. “It’s about becoming a machine rather than using one.”
Gold’s Gym – 789-4653; www.goldsgym.com/springfieldil
Springfield YMCA
If you’ve got a little more than just holiday fat to lose, the Springfield YMCA has got you covered. They offer numerous exercise classes – swimming, yoga, pilates, dance and tons more – but now there’s a new way to get fit at “The Y.”
Coming in February, the Ramp it Up program will feature intense workouts meant to cut fat and add muscle. YMCA’s fitness coordinator Cindy Krupid says the classes will be a “major challenge to the body,” with noticeable results.
“We really take it to the next level,” Krupid says.
“There are lots of different workout types, and we really get outside the box.”
If you need some help staying on the bandwagon, Krupid recommends YMCA’s Lose Big program, which tracks participants’ weight loss and keeps them accountable for their exercises. More than 100 people participated in the program in 2009, and the 12-week program returns for 2010 with big expectations. The regular sign up date has passed, but latecomers may still sign up by Jan. 10 for an extra fee.
Springfield YMCA – 544-9846; www.springfieldymca.org
Cardinal Fitness
If all of these classes and programs seem intimidating, or you’d just prefer to work out by yourself, Cardinal Fitness may be a good fit for you. There are no classes with catchy names – just a comfortable exercise environment at a low price. It’s a straightforward, no-frills gym, but personal trainers are available to help you start out right and track your progress if you still need some help.
“We just try to interact with people and get them familiar with everything,” says Artie Nolan, sales manager at Cardinal Fitness. “If it’s something people aren’t used to, they can feel intimidated at times. We try to make sure they’re comfortable here.”
Cardinal Fitness – 546-4600; www.cardinalfitness.com
— Patrick Yeagle
