Get Whole Family Fit With Summer Shape-Up
By TOBY SMITH Journal Staff Writer
Shirley Calderone and Jennifer Dallas have made their decision: They’re going to be part of Summer Shape-Up. The Albuquerque mother and daughter are not exactly sure what they’ll do in the exercise program, but they plan to have that worked out by Wednesday, the deadline for signing up. The Journal’s Fit magazine and KOAT-TV have teamed up to offer Summer Shape-Up, an eight-week, family-friendly exercise program that will take place this June and July. Those who sign up for the program will agree to become members for that two- month period of New Mexico Sports & Wellness clubs.
“I’ve never been in any exercise classes,” said Calderone, 60, a bookkeeper at a pipe company. “If they have classes at night, that will be great.”
Dallas, 35, a typesetter at a print shop, will also be trying classes for the first time. “I’m looking at things like aerobics, yoga, Pilates. I heard Pilates is good.”
The women, who live about a mile and a half from each other, typically spend summer evenings walking together. They go to a local park, near Calderone’s house, or to a running track at a nearby school.
“We’d try to do a couple of miles, maybe three,” said Calderone.
“In the winter,” said Calderone, “we slack off.”
They haven’t yet started their walking routine. “Mostly we just talk about walking,” said Dallas.
By registering for Summer Shape-Up, the two hope the program will carry them through the rest of the year, and on from there.
“I’m not getting any younger,” said Calderone. “I’m not overweight. I just need to tone up a few things and get rid of a few things.”
Dallas said, “It just feels like I’ve gotten so lazy. I have two girls, and it shows. I want to tone my body up and that stuff.”
Every summer, Dallas said, she and her mother talk about getting out and doing more. But they don’t.
“I have a gym at my apartment complex,” said Dallas. “But it’s just free weights, a stationary bicycle and a treadmill. It’s a little room. I need a bigger place where someone is leading you.”
She’ll get that and more at the Summer Shape-Up. The five New Mexico Sports & Wellness clubs have swimming pools, saunas, strength and cardio equipment, whirlpools and, most important for Calderone and Dallas, a variety of exercise classes, including cycling.
In addition, four familyfriendly fitness classes specifically designed for the Summer Shape-Up program will be offered Wednesdays through Sundays. Those classes include a variety of games, some of them competitive.
To register, visit ABQjournal.com/fit or stop by The Vitamin Trader or Sportz Outdoor or any Sports & Wellness club.
Those who sign up are eligible for discount coupons, giveaways and various prizes.
Registration forms must be turned in and fees paid by 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The cost is $199 for individuals, $259 for couples and $299 for families (up to three members, $25 for each additional member). Special pricing is available for Sports & Wellness members.
For more information, call 823-3926 or 823-3886.
Additional sponsors of the Summer Shape-Up program include S.E.D. Medical Laboratories, New Mexico Sports & Wellness, Lovelace Health Plan, Sportz Outdoor and The Vitamin Trader.
(c) 2008 Albuquerque Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.