Fitness Newsletter | February 2014 | VBgov.com/Parks
Understanding Functional Fitness
by Diane Benner, Fitness Supervisor

I was approached the other day by a patron that asked me if there was a class I would recommend to help them improve their functional fitness. As we thumbed through the catalog together and reviewed the monthly group fitness schedules, I realized that most individuals may not really understand the meaning of functional fitness.

The term functional fitness has been around for quite some time and primarily used in rehabilitative settings for injury recovery. Within the last five to ten years, the fitness industry has been creating and building fitness formats with functional movements in mind. The premise of functional training is to create organized movements that are similar to our daily lives such as squatting, jumping, traveling forward and backward, pushing, pulling, lifting and rotating. The key is to teach the muscles to work together.  
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Lifting weights or working out with machines to build strength in a particular muscle group is good, but this doesn't mimic real life activities. Think about all of the muscles involved in carrying groceries up a flight of stairs, raking leaves, or even lifting a child out of a car seat. You don't use just one muscle group; you must use multiple muscle groups in coordination with one another. This is where functional fitness training comes into play. You teach your muscles to work together just as you would utilize those muscles together in your every day activities.

Why the surge in functional training? Our sedentary lifestyles have led us down a path of incorrect postural alignment resulting in muscular imbalances and a decrease in the ability to safely and efficiently produce movements. Another significant impact is one's ability to successfully react to situations in which the body is physically challenged.

If you're looking for a class that involves functional training, consider any of these options: TRX® Suspension Training, Pilates, CXWORX™ (coming in April), Aquatic Fitness, Yoga, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) or BODYPUMP™. 
Les Mills CXWORX™ Coming to Rec Centers in April!

 

We're excited to bring another Les Mills favorite to our recreation centers with the launch of CXWORX™ in April! This 30-minute class hones in on your abs, glutes, back obliques and the "sling" muscles connecting the upper and lower body. Like BODYPUMP™, this class is set to current top 40 hits providing a fun, high-energy atmosphere.

 

What will CXWORX™ do for me? 

 * Improves functional strength for balance, mobility and injury prevention

 * Motivates you to venture outside your comfort zone

 * Tightens and tones core muscles 

 

Check next month's newsletter for launch dates and class offerings!
Become a Certified Water Fitness Instructor

Saturday & Sunday, April 5 & 6 | 9 am - 5 pm | Seatack Recreation Center  

 
Love fitness? Love water? Combine the two and get certified to become a water fitness instructor! The City of Virginia Beach will be hosting a WaterART™ Instructor Training & Workshop at Seatack Rec Center on Saturday & Sunday, April 5 & 6 from 9 am - 5 pm. 
 
WaterART™ Fitness specializes in fitness certification and education for instructors, personal trainers, health care providers and consumers. This two-day workshop is ideal for new instructors who wish to learn the basics and become certified to teach classes in both shallow and deep water. No experience is necessary. 
 
Current water instructors can join in on the fun on Sunday to earn continuing education credits (CECs) as you learn the latest workout techniques using noodles, understand the properties of water for strength training & conditioning, and try aquatic finning - a calorie-burning class that targets all of the major muscle groups. 
 
Registration for the Instructor Certification and the CEC Workshop is open now at WaterArt.org. For questions, please contact Karen LeRette at 757-426-0022.
Celebrating 20 Years at Princess Anne Rec Center

Saturday, March 15 | 1-4 pm | Princess Anne  

 
It's been 20 years since we opened the doors to Princess Anne Recreation Center and the fun hasn't stopped! To thank everyone for their continued support and patronage, we're offering an afternoon of free admission and fun for the whole family, including children's crafts, face painting, cake and prizes from 1 to 4 pm, Saturday, March 15. No membership needed.
Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

Bow Creek Recreation Center is closed for a long-term modernization project.

 

The weight room will be closed at Great Neck Recreation Center on February 27 for replacement of circuit and strength training machines. Bayside's weight room will be closed February 28 and Seatack's weight room will be closed March 3.

 

Seatack Recreation Center will be closed Monday, March 10 through Sunday, March 16 for annual maintenance. The pool may remain closed through March 23.

 

Don't forget that your membership is good at all Virginia Beach Recreation Centers! If your usual center is closed for maintenance, take the opportunity to visit another center. Use this locator to help you find one!
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation believes all of our diverse citizens have a right to participate in community recreation and we are committed to creating equal access for everyone who may have a challenge or barrier. If you or your child requires additional support, we can help. Learn more about our accommodation and inclusion services.
We welcome your comments and questions. Feel free to email us at fun@VBgov.com.
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the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.