Resolve to get in shape with fitness options in the Oklahoma City metro area
By Heather Warlick hwarlick@opubco.com | Published: December 31, 2012 | Modified: December 31, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Christmas is over, 2013 is here, and you know what that means: It's time to get serious about those New Year's resolutions.
If you're like the majority of Americans making New Year's resolutions, getting in better shape is likely to be high on your to-do list.
Some local businesses are ready and waiting to help you achieve your fitness goals for the New Year, whether you're hoping for an extreme lifestyle change or just a little extra exercise to tone up.
If you're new to exercising and want to try running, Red Coyote offers a Newbie running program that will teach you great running form and take you from walking to running in only a couple months.
“We have people who have never run before in their life finish the 5k after nine weeks,” said Jon Beck, who owns Red Coyote along with his wife, Burke Beck.
“Anybody can go out and just pound the pavement,” he said.
Running is a great workout for just about everybody, Jon Beck said. After the nine-week Newbie class, he said, participants can expect to feel more energetic and to see more muscle tone. Weight loss may not happen right away, Beck said, because while you're burning fat, you're building muscle, so your weight may not change much at first.
The Newbie program at Red Coyote costs $75. The fee covers the class, access to a dietitian, a T-shirt, a pair of running socks and entry for the Run Lucky 5k in March.
Strength to stand tall
If running isn't your style, Barre3 may be more your ticket to long, lean muscles. Barre3 is a hybrid form of exercise that combines ballet, yoga and Pilates.
“Our main focus is postural alignment, standing tall, sitting tall, just training the body to be tall,” said Andrea Mason, owner of Barre3 studios in Edmond and in Classen Curve.
“Anybody literally could come in and do this workout,” said Mason, the wife of former Oklahoma State University and Thunder basketball player Desmond Mason.
Barre3 is great for strengthening core muscles and creating postural alignment, Andrea Mason said. The sequence of postures in a Barre3 class combines the grace of a ballerina with the wisdom and strength required of yoga and the lean, long muscle tone of Pilates.
To learn more
For information about Red Coyote's Newbie running class, call 840-0033.
For Barre3 in Classen Curve, call 463-3343. For the Barre3's Edmond location, call 513-6393.
