Photos By Ryan Lely
“I’m going to get in shape,” will be proclaimed by many of us many times this month. This year, consider finding a new and exciting manner in which to transform your body. In the Sonoma Valley, there are available many types of training certain to increase strength, cardiovascular capacity, endurance, flexibility and more.
From Russia with love
The latest rage in exercise is training with a kettlebell. A kettlebell looks like a bowling bowl with a handle attached and is available in various sizes. For decades Russians have trained with kettlebells. After the Cold War, the U.S. military warmed up to the idea and has been using them to train with ever since. Elite athletes have now become interested in the unique training. The exercise involves the swinging of one kettlebell in controlled movements that incorporate many muscle groups at a time.
“Like kick-boxing, which became popular so quickly as a form of exercise, kettlebell training will become more and more mainstream,” said Sandy Young, personal trainer and owner of Sonoma Fit in Boyes Hot Springs. “The results are amazing because the full body moves offer a great cardio workout as well as strength, core and dynamic results with one powerful workout.”
Young, who has incorporated kettlebell training into her clients’ workouts, will offer a second Kettlebell Workout class starting Jan. 10. The four one-hour sessions are designed for people with no kettlebell experience and cost $85. Sonoma Fit will provide for use during the class one of the many kettlebells it has in its 1,000-square-foot studio, in weights from nine to 35 pounds. Those who completed the first class may join the 45-minute class that Young is soon to schedule. She expects to offer more classes in the future.
Personal Training
Buddy up with a friend or loved one and enter into the realm of personal training. Steve Diner of Plaza Personal Training in Sonoma offers to do double duty for $60 per hour-long session and will offer the same complete body workouts he offers single clients. The first session is free for new clients and includes a complete full body workout in the fully equipped facility as well as helpful nutritional information. Diner’s clients are mostly folks 40 and older who strive to get in shape with a combination of aerobics and weight training.
“My main focus is to determine each person’s needs so that I can design a workout that will make them feel younger, energetic, flexible and coordinated,” explained Diner. “I watch that each client does the exercise the correct way and try to offer motivation and determine how they feel about the exercise. This is what one-to-one training is all about.”
Yoga
You can become a part of the yoga community by taking one of the scores of classes and seminars offered at Yoga Community in Sonoma. The business started out as Yoga Company eight years ago, before being purchased, re-named and re-located to its current home on Fifth Street West by Carol Tomlinson. The space offers two studios, each of which can accommodate 50 people, a yoga boutique with props, clothing, books and DVDs for purchase, and a relaxing area to enjoy an after-class tea.
“I’ve noticed that when people choose yoga as a new form of exercise they tend to stick with it and make it a healthy part of their lives, unlike too many other New Year’s resolutions,” said Barbra Brady, who is both an instructor and the manager of Yoga Community. “We offer individual attention to everyone in the class and remind those thinking about yoga that they don’t need to be flexible, just willing to try.”
Yoga Community schedules a wide variety of classes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, including, Anusara Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Flow and the cleverly named Pre-natal with Yo-baby. Single classes cost $16 each. Three packages are available that are valid for 60 days: five classes for $75; 10 classes for $144; and 20 classes for $270. New clients can enjoy three classes for $30 or be allowed to take a class for only $5 by mentioning this article.
Health club convenience
For those seeking all the bells and whistles at one convenient location, the Parkpoint Health Club offers 6200-square feet of athletic activity at its Sonoma location in Maxwell Village. State-of-the-art Techno Gym equipment, which forces the user to train ergonomically, more than 20 resistance training machines and a complete Olympic free weight area are available to whip you into shape from head to toe. Some 60 classes every week, including cardio-dance, Pilates and studio cycling, offer something for just about everyone.
“For 19 years, Parkpoint Health Club has been offering our members the nicest and cleanest facilities in the valley,” said assistant manager Ed Mount. “We offer a full amenity club with towel service, private steam rooms and whirlpools in each locker room, an outdoor lap pool and a snack bar with fresh, healthful food and drink items.”
Parkpoint offers a trial membership for 30 days for $100, which like all memberships includes unlimited classes. The lifetime fee (the initial charge to join Parkpoint) is $350 for individuals; $250 for seniors 65 and older and for those under 30; and $675 for a family of three or more. Monthly rates begin at $65 for individuals and $135 for a family. During the month of January, the club is offering a 20 percent discount to join.
Where to work out:
Sonoma Fit
17503 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs; 707.939.1114;
www.sonomafit.com.
Kettlebell Workout: Jan. 10 – 31; 4 Thursdays; 6 p.m.
Plaza Personal Training 1260 Broadway Sonoma; 707.939.3655.
By appointment only.
Yoga Community
577 5th St. W. ,Sonoma; 707.935.8600;
www.yogacommunity.com.
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Hours vary on Sat. and Sun.
Parkpoint Health Club
1911 Hwy. 12, Sonoma; 707.996.311; www.parkpointhealthclub.com.
Hours: Sun. 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Mon., Thurs., Fri. 530 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Tue. and Wed. 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sat. 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
