Carter Fitness Lab May 2019

CLUBS: NOT JUST FOR HIGH SCHOOL THE BEST WAY TO STAY ACTIVE IN RETIREMENT

While it’s great not having your nose to the grindstone nine-to-five, leaving work also means leaving behind a lot of daily activities and social interaction. Eventually, having nothing but free time goes from relaxing to isolating, and that can be dangerous to your physical and mental health. When planning for retirement, it’s important to plan ways to stay active and engaged. Joining a new organization or club can be a huge benefit. Here are a few suggestions to help you stay active in retirement. ENJOY YOUR HOBBIES Did you spend years dreaming about hitting the golf course every day? While it can be nice to spend some time alone on the green, consider joining a golfers club if you want to mix things up. Enjoy scrapbooking? Check for get-togethers at the craft shop. If you’ve always wanted to try pottery, look for a class at the rec center. It’s easy to find groups dedicated to just about any activity. GET INVOLVED Think of the causes you’re passionate about and get involved! Animal shelters and soup kitchens

are always looking for volunteer help. Book lovers of all ages can join their local Friends of Libraries chapter. To make a difference through politics, help with fundraisers or join an active campaign. If you want to stay closer to home, check out your local homeowners association. There are plenty of ways to engage with like-minded people while making a difference. TRY SOMETHING NEW Don’t know where to start when looking for a group to join? Start online! Try searching “groups for retirees” and see what comes up. You might discover a travel group and start planning your trip to Asia. Or maybe you’ll have more fun mentoring young people in your professional field. Don’t be afraid to spend your retirement doing something new! There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your alone time, but don’t let your alone time turn into a lonely retirement. Joining a group can help you broaden your social circle, stay active, and maybe even learn something new about yourself.

BARRE-ING IT ALL BURN FAT WITH THIS BALLET WORKOUT

If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a ballerina, barre might be the perfect workout for you. With classes and studios popping up across the country, barre is trending. You don’t need the grace of a dancer to get the most out of this ballet-inspired workout. WHAT IS IT? Derived from ballet, barre focuses on flexibility, strength, and toning. Students learn common ballet poses and do low-impact movements that burn fat and strengthen the smaller muscles that are often missed in strength training and cardio routines. Routines can range from using weights to relying solely on the body, while adaptations in barre can be more complex. For example, barre high-intensity interval training (HIIT)

combines the muscle-sculpting capabilities of barre with the calorie- torching efforts of HIIT.

WHAT’S THE DOWNSIDE? Despite barre’s ability to tone and shape with precision, there are some limits. Those looking to lose weight will not find the results they crave from barre. Likewise, if you are living with diabetes or other chronic conditions where cardiovascular workouts are ideal, barre isn’t the best choice. However, like most fitness routines, barre is a great workout to weave into your regimen. For example, rather than relying on it for weight loss, use it to boost your stability and strength for other workouts. The beauty of a barre workout is that it’s flexible. Find a routine and style that is best for you and be prepared for how amazing your muscles will feel. (Once the burn fades away, of course.)

WHO SHOULD DO IT?

Anyone can incorporate a barre routine into their fitness regimen. However, there are some demographics that can benefit most from a barre-style workout. Because barre involves low- impact moves, it’s great for women who are pregnant, people with arthritis, and those just dipping their toes into the world of fitness. The injury risk with barre is low, and those who struggle with balance will see an improvement. Additionally, most moves within a barre routine involve progressions, so if a position becomes too strenuous, students can scale back to a lower progression.

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