FamilyFitness

This year Hitchin Health Day is taking place on Saturday 26th May, 9.30am until 1.30pm, at Hitchin Market Place.  There will be a number of different stalls, including a Family Fitness’ stand, as we help to promote fitness for all in our community.  Different displays will take place throughout the morning including dance, tai chi, egyptian dance, and other examples of fun ways to exercise.  Caroline will be leading the Highbury Infant School Children in an aerobics display based around the Olympics.  Do come along and support this fun event!

Huge congratulations to Maggie, who was awarded the MBE in the New Years honours list 2012! I’m sure it will come as no surprise to those who have worked with her, or have benefited from her high standard delivery of health related fitness.

As a Health Improvement Campaigner since 1985, Maggie has improved the health of many Individuals in Hertfordshire.  Her high standards for herself, and Instructors past and present, have proved beyond doubt, that everyone should have access to quality assured physical activity advice and instruction, regardless of ability or financial status.

One of her unique skills is to identify gaps in current service provision and to set about finding solutions to these problems, without impacting on already overstretched resources. In addition to this she empowers others to bring about positive change to themselves and those around them.

Her work in Clinical Exercise and Weight Management for the NHS has had a huge impact on the long term health of both adults and children, gaining the respect of the Doctors and other Health Professionals she works with.

Well done Maggie, we are all VERY proud of you!

We  hope you all had a good Christmas, and wishing everyone a very Happy and Healthy 2012!

All classes start back on Wednesday 4th January.

We have a mix of music to suit every age range. The great routines include Zumba style moves as well as aerobics with high or low impact options to allow all levels of fitness to join in.  Now is a great time to start as we all get back together and aim for a healthy and fit 2012!

Family McGurk

It is great at Family Fitness that we have families, such as the McGurk family pictured , who come and exercise together.

The general trend in the UK towards lower activity levels amongst adults has clear implications for our children. Parents lack of enthusiasm or participation in physical activity discourages their children from taking part in exercise. On the other hand when parents exercise their children are also more likely to exercise.   So let’s lead by example, have fun together as families, and get healthier and fitter together.

The hugely popular ‘Zumba’ has inspired alot of people to do more exercise.  We thought we might incorporate some zumba type moves into our aerobics routines this term, and we are getting some great feedback.  So if you’d like to experience the flavour of zumba but keep it safe try this terms heartfit sessions. We can always provide alternative moves allowing people to work around limitations, and as always we give advice on safe techniques throughout all our sessions.

Just a small note of caution.  We are aware that some individuals have sustained injuries from some Zumba type classes.  Not all Zumba teachers have an exercise physiology background, and not all Zumba classes check the health profiles of individuals before they start the session. If you try a Zumba class, have fun but just remember all the safe exercise advice we give to you.  Keep your knees in line with toes, pull in your abdominals, high impact jumps, kicks or twists may not be the best for you if you have any knee, back or pelvic floor weaknesses, so keep the feet moving and do an alternative low impact move.