Promotion will run now thru April 30, 2012.

It is getting to be a busy time of year in the Fitness Center and we just wanted to give everyone a refresher on the cardio equipment sign-up procedure. 

These policies are in place directly as a result of member requests. The policies are designed to allow equal opportunity for access to machines for all members of the facility.

• It is recommended that all members and guests sign up for cardio machine use, especially during busy times in the fitness area. 
• As a courtesy to other members please sign up for equipment no more than one hour in advance. Reservations will not be accepted. You must sign up in person and for yourself only.
• Each box on the sheet represents 15 minutes of usage. The MAXIMUM time limit is 45 minutes of consecutive usage on one machine at a time.
• If you sign up in advance to use a machine, you MUST be at that machine at that time to use it. If you are "late" for the time you signed up for, it is possible that another member will then have access to the machine. We recommend you arrive at your machine a few minutes early to avoid any conflict.
• If you randomly get on a machine without signing up because that machine "appears" to be free, please be mindful that someone may be signed up to use that machine shortly, and you will be asked to relinquish the machine to the individual signed up to use it.
• We recommend checking the sign up sheets before getting on a machine, even if no one is currently using it. 
• Please PRINT your First Name in the boxes that correspond to the time and machine that you wish to use. Please be courteous of other members and refrain from running over into another time slot. 
• Please report any abuse of the cardio sign up sheet policy AS IT OCCURS to a Fitness Attendant so they may address it promptly and directly.

Thank you!!

A Day Devoted to Families

See page 33 of the Spring Parks and Recreation brochure or here.

Annual Flea Market-Rent a table at the flea Market and sell or trade some of your old stuff. One table per child, please. $7 for residents, $17 for non-residents. Register early as tables may sell out. 

Touch a Truck. Got a truck to share? We're hoping for trucks and vehicles of all shapes and sizes to be available for kids to see and "touch" Contact Bill Callahan at bill.callahan@mansfieldct.org or call (860) 429-3015 ext 108 if you have a great truck to share that morning. We already have a commitment from Lifestar.

Get your kids fingerprinted. New York Life will be on hand to take photos, fingerprints and provide ID cards for families to help keep kids safe.

NEW this year! Baby Boutique/Maternity Clothes Sale: Rent a table and sell off your gently used baby clothes, maternity clothes, toys, furniture, etc. (no drop sided cribs please). Spaces are $20 for residents of Mansfield and $30 for residents of other towns. Register early as these spaces are extremely limited.

Little Angels Bicycle Drive. Bring your used bicycle and receive a free guest pass to the Community Center. Bikes are refurbished and donated to families in need of bicycles. Contact Little Angels at freebicycles@littleangelsbicycles.com 
for more information.

Family Workout Routine

Getting the whole family into a workout routine is a great way to keep everyone active and healthy. Here are some tips on how you can start your own family workout routine. With obesity on the rise, creating a healthy lifestyle for your family grows more and more every day. Fast food has become a routine for many families. Grabbing a fast food burger and fries to scarf down, while crashing on the couch, is more common than not these days.

It is often said that what one generation does in moderation, the next will do in excess. The same can be said true of health and fitness among families. Show your kids that fitness is important by creating a family exercise routine.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Choose a day and time that is convenient for the entire family. If your children are involved in after-school activities, or if you have late days at the office, be sure to schedule your family exercise time around these days/times.

2. Choose exercises the entire family is able to perform.Families with younger children should incorporate less vigorous routines for children. You don't want to discourage your children from exercising with a workout that isn't kid-friendly. Engage in fun exercises with your children then create a separate workout schedule for you and your spouse.

3. Be creative. Your family exercise routine doesn't have to be boring and dull.You don't have to do 50 push-ups and 75 sit-ups to have a good workout. Think fun. Incorporate scenic bike rides, walks in botanical parks, have a family dance off to funky music, or a roller skating derby night. Create a fun and exciting family exercise routine and your entire family will look forward to it every time.

4. Don't overdo it.If your family doesn't seem particularly enthused about your new exercise routine, don't push it. Experts say it takes about 21 days to create a new habit, so don't cancel your family exercise date. Instead, stop five minutes early. Take a water break. Reward your family with a healthy snack. Rent a new movie you've been dying to watch.

Creating an exercise routine for your family is easier than it may seem. Remember that you are setting an example for your children. Make your family exercise routine fun and exciting and your family will be begging for more!

Taken from http://www.kinderinfo.com/family-workout-routine/

E.O. Smith High School has 7 brand new tennis courts. With the help from a grant from the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the courts have been lined for tennis for children ages 10 and under to learn the game. The racquets are smaller, the courts are smaller, and the balls have less bounce than the traditional balls. The idea is for children to enjoy learning tennis without the frustration they felt learning with adult-sized equipment. We'll be having lessons, see page 16 in the Spring brochure, and summer tennis camps, see page 66 in the Spring brochure. Registration is in progress for the spring and summer sessions.

This informative seminar will be led by Lawrence Armstrong and Laura Kunces a Registered Dietician and Master's Student at UCONN. They will provide an overview of general principles for healthy nutrition, and how it pertains to performance in exercise and sport. Your 48-hour diet record will be reviewed and discussed, along with suggestions to optimize your nutrition for performance. Register here!

Instructor: Lawrence Armstrong began as a professor of Exercise and Environmental Physiology at UCONN in 1990. He formerly taught high school science for nine years, and coached high school athletes for 14 seasons. Dr. Armstrong exercises regularly, has authored/edited two books and has published over 140 scientific publications. His specialties include heat acclimatization, heat illnesses, nutritional supplements, sports drinks, and fluid balance.

Day: March 28

Time: 6-7 p.m.

Location: Community Room

Activity Number: (370080-A)

Fee: Free for Members        $10 for non-members