Whew! The hustle and bustle of the holidays is officially over, and even us procrastinators finally have our lights out of the hedges. The Christmas tree is down (albeit turning brittle at the end of the driveway) and all the ornaments are safely stored away for next year, and the household is back on schedule. All the decadent holiday goodies, from peanut butter fudge to homemade caramel cake are eaten up and safely stored on our hips. But hopefully it won't stay there for a whole year!
Now it's time to officially turn the leaf for the New Year. Exercise is probably top on everyone's lists. It is not only important for weight control, but vital for heart health and stroke prevention. Exercise counteracts diabetes and is beneficial for probably every other disease there is.
The problem is, January is not the best month to start an exercise program. It's cold out there. The roads are typically wet and even slushy, so walking can difficult. It gets dark early, and between patches of ice and bone-chilling temperatures, it's ill-advised to lace up your shoes and head out doors to do anything.
This is where the South Chattanooga Recreation Center at the foot of Lookout Mountain comes into play. The closest city park to me, the SCRC is right across from Forest Hills Cemetery, just before the South Chattanooga Branch of the library, and is one of three of Chattanooga's 17 city parks to have a swimming pool. The Water Aerobics classes they offer year round are the best deal in town. They are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am or Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30pm. There's no joining fee, and the classes are $2 each. They provide towels, a dressing room and showers, so you can get your exercise on and still make it downtown in time for lunch.
Janice Williams of Lookout Mountain has been attending the class off and on for about seven years. "I started after my knee surgery. Water exercise was part of my rehab prescription and I still go now. It's so good for my joints!" she says.
There are four instructors, each with their own routine, but they all cover the same basic things, from stretching to core-work to aerobics. And every class uses weights. The music is fast paced and varied, with Christmas music being featured during the holiday season. There are both deep-water classes that feature pilates moves, and shallow-water classes. All levels of swimmers or non-swimmers can take these classes, no matter if you've never been in a class before. And the pool is wheelchair assessable.
All the classes use either bands or Styrofoam noodles, but the weights are used for every class. And there's no need to worry about hauling a wet noodle around in the back seat of your car; all the equipment is provided for you. So all you have to do is show up!
Ruby Williams and Shanelle Williams will probably the first people you meet after you park your car for free and amble inside the blue-roofed building at 1151 West 40th Street. They jokingly call themselves the Williams Sisters, and give Venus and Serena a run for their money as far as hospitality is concerned. They welcome you to the center, and rarely meet a stranger.
"I've loved getting to know everyone in the class, and have met the most darling people from Chattanooga," Janice says. "Also, it's a great place to take your grandchildren swimming in the winter."
Parking is free, the spot is convenient and the folks are friendly. Call 425-3550 for more info.