Fitness Fun-atics

Say Goodbye to Boring Workouts

by Jill Nowlin

Exercise as a social activity or socialize your way to fitness; either way, the Valley offers the Phoenix woman a variety of ways to get the blood flowing, even if you're not inclined to join a conventional gym. For those who struggle balancing life with social activities and the guilt associated with a lack of exercise, rest assured that at a few not-so-typical fitness regimes are welcoming women of any fitness level, size, and shape into some unique and friendly environments. Getting started may force you to step out of your comfort zone, but make no mistake-once you show up, these Valley groups aim to be anything but uncomfortable.

Become a Knock-Out

If you want to get into the best shape of your life, why not consider donning some boxing gloves? Ever wondered why boxers are so fit that they can last 15 grueling rounds? It's because boxers undergo one of the most intense cardio workouts in sports. And this sport is proving to be one of the most intense workouts for women.

John Durso, a competitive boxer, boxing trainer and owner of Maximum Fitness Gym in Scottsdale, says he's seeing an increasing number of women wanting to join. "I have two sisters, a mother, a daughter and son, and husbands and wives in this class," he says. "Everyone's doing it." Durso says the sport is popular because it relieves stress. You get to punch something that doesn't hit back. Roz Fagen, a 58-year-old donning hot pink boxing gloves, takes the class three times a week. "I was a gym virgin," Fagen says,adding that she absolutely loves the workout. "I can do men's pushups. I've been telling everyone about boxing."

After a couple of months of bag work, pushups and running, Fagen has noticed a remarkable difference in her arms, which she felt was a problem spot. Brittany and Lexi Frieswyk, two of the youngest members, say they love it for the music, entertainment and variety. Durso says that if your workout is fun, you'll be more likely to stick with it than you would with a humdrum stroll on a treadmill. He adds that the technique work, core conditioning, strengthening and striking the bag will get you fast results.

Worth mentioning about this Durso's no-nonsense facility is that here you'll find the Valley's only full-sized boxing ring inside a gym. For a true boxing ambiance, you'll also be surrounded by motivational boxing posters-five of Muhammad Ali alone-along with a giant American flag and a sound system that would get anyone's blood pumping. The atmosphere is all part of the experience. This gray brick, exposed and raw workout room is the bomb, plain and simple. And your workout will rock.

For more information, call 480.991.0002.

Run for the Fun

Hashing is a great way for open-minded individuals to exercise in a game-like atmosphere to counteract the guilt of indulging in a drink or two. Known worldwide as a "drinking club with a running" problem, hashing is a movement of loosely organized groups of individuals who join together for a social experience where running (or walking, if you prefer) is an excuse to act silly-with all the benefits of exercise. To add to the fun, hashers assign themselves amusing (often risqué) nicknames by which they are known within the group.

There are over 1,800 registered "Hash Houses" worldwide and each has its foundation in the original group that began in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1938 as a way to work off weekend excess. With chapters in most major cities, becoming a hasher ensures that even travel cannot conflict with the expansion of both your social circle and your arteries.

Each Hash House has its own traditions and methods but the premise is a non-competitive game of "hares and hounds." The hounds, who made up of the majority of the group, chase the hares via paths and false paths preset with clues. One hashers reach the designated end, it's time to knock back a cold one. If you aren't a drinker or a seasoned runner, don't be dissuaded.

"I don't really like running, but when it's a game and with your friends, I can get exercise without it being painful says "Little Pink," who started hashing several years ago in Scotland. "You don't have to be a stud athlete." She says she often runs three or four miles and heads back to the bar. "That's the great thing about it-there's no judgment," she says.

The Phoenix Hash House Harriers is a local chapter that advises getting started at a "Hump D'Hash," a Wednesday evening event that usually draws a smaller group of 10 to 20 people. Saturday hashes draw larger groups. A nominal fee to participate-generally $1 to $10-depends on how much beer or other supplies are purchased for the hash. Don't worry about finding the group-hashers are easily recognized by their hasher t-shirts, whistles and placards worn around the neck.

It's likely you'll feel welcome immediately, but if you still have questions, the group starts the run with a "chalk talk" to help you learn the lingo and what clues to seek. This quick meeting will prove that this is absolutely not the place to feel insecure. Participants range in age, economic backgrounds and fitness levels, and hasher nicknames provide the option of complete anonymity.

If safety is a concern, woman hasher "B Flat" assures, "The hashers do a good job of keeping people out of dangerous situations or neighborhoods. We look out for each other and you won't get left behind. It's very embracing."

Some groups are more kid-friendly; some meet more frequently. You can pick a hash that best fits your needs simply by searching the internet for Hash Houses in your area. Check out the schedule, show up at the designated location and get ready to run. There is no registration, preparation, or commitment required (except in the case of special events). There are no rules-only guidelines. Just embrace your love of informality and prepare to make friends.

For more information visit: www.phoenixhhh.org.

Embrace Your Sensuality

Imagining yourself in a room full of women performing sensuous routines around poles could invoke any number of unwholesome images, but it's time to embrace a realistic one: pole dancing is not just for exotic dancers anymore. Here is an opportunity to embrace your inner sensuality, tone your muscles and gain a level of flexibility you thought was impossible. Contrary to the images you may have conjured up, pole dancing classes are attended by women in sweat pants who have little in common beyond, well, the fact that they are friendly women.

"It's a workout, "says Emily Stonham, who has been teaching for two years at Pole Divas in Phoenix. "You build a lot of confidence not just in your physical ability but in your body image." Whether you plan to show off what you've learned to your partner, she says, is your own decision. The point is to think of it as something you do for yourself.

Although Stonham's class participants agree that this is a workout, most don't view it as anything but fun. At least not until they feel the muscle soreness the next day. "I just have fun," says student Kerri Shearer. "I smile the whole way home." Shearer notes that she was worried about taking up pole dancing at first because she didn't dance and didn't consider herself coordinated.

At Pole Divas' Move Studios location, nine participants use individual poles during the hour-long instruction. "It's exercise but it doesn't feel like exercise," says Debbie Lewis of Carefree. "It's fun." Her friend and exercise buddy, Jess McClure, says she doesn't exercise other than these classes and loves that she can move at her own pace.

The beginner class is taught from a basic level and each week builds on the lessons from the week before. At the end of the six- week class, the women have gained strength, confidence and camaraderie, and for students like Lewis and McClure, a hobby.

The nine-person class size makes the activity less intimidating than many other classes offered at gyms where any number of people can see you struggling to keep up with the pace. But if you're still too shy, you can purchase a pole for home and practice with a DVD. There's also the option of booking a private event with friends that allows your group to test the waters with live instruction.

If you're curious about whether pole dancing might be a fun way to keep fit, you've run out of excuses. You can view it as a means gain strength and flexibility, or make it a goal to really get it touch with your sensual side. As Lewis puts it, "You can take whatever you want from it. It's entirely up to you."

For class schedules, visit: www.poledancinglesson.com/PoleDancingClasses.html.

Get Back to Basics

Fitness boot camps are not new to the Valley, but you may not have known that if you want to spare yourself the desire to brush your hair before you exercise, you can attack your muffin-top and "hello Helen" arms at Code Pink Boot Camp in Scottsdale-for women only. Camper Colleen Strauch stresses the benefits of this environment. "When you're getting started and you feel heavy, you don't want to be in a gym where you'll find tiny women in tiny sport bras, full makeup and earrings," she says."I literally roll out of bed, barely brush my teeth and I'm ready to work out."

Camper Marie-Paule Sinyard adds, "And you won't find your ex-husband here." Fast results are an added draw. Sinyard has lost two dress sizes since she joined boot camp. Code Pink is tough due to trainer Teri Crenshaw, who turns you into own drill sergeant by making it hard to disappoint yourself. The goal is to achieve the level of fitness that is right for you and your body. For Strauch, the approach is paying off. "Every day offers something different and you work different body parts in each class," she says. "During the first week, I was miserably sore but by the end of the second week, I was doing things I never thought I could for the time I put into it."

Campers have the option of working out with Crenshaw either three or five days a week in four-week blocks. Several of the Crenshaw's campers are repeat clients participating in their second or third boot camp after seeing the results of the first. "It changes, so it doesn't get boring," says Gina DeSimone. "I do four weeks on and then take a week off before the next camp, and that week off is just miserable."

Since diet and exercise are key components of an optimum level of fitness, Crenshaw offers a nutrition class during the first week as well. For Steph Greene, this emphasis on lifestyle is the most economical way to get the benefits of personal a trainer. Despite the four-week block schedule, campers have made up missed classes and even substituted with Code Pink classes in California while traveling.

If you think your dedication to fitness is a bit weaker than that of these committed campers, know that it isn't just body strength the keeps them loyal. For Sinyard, Boot Camp has given her an entirely new outlook: "More than the legs, the shoulders and the arms, you put yourself first for an hour and that's how you start your day," she says. "I've never done that before, and it has been life-changing."

For more information, visit www.codepinkbootcamp.com.

Jill Nowlin is a freelance writer and editor based in Scottsdale.