Exercise improves quality of life

Left to right: Peggy McGee, Joanne Stockbower, Mary Hassler and Ruth Rossi go through some controlled stretches using weights; photo by Aprylmarie Heule

Left to right: Peggy McGee, Joanne Stockbower, Mary Hassler and Ruth Rossi go through some controlled stretches using weights; photo by Aprylmarie Heule

Instructor Aprylmarie Heule demonstrates a pose designed to improve balance during her stretching class; photo by Mary Hassler

Instructor Aprylmarie Heule demonstrates a pose designed to improve balance during her stretching class; photo by Mary Hassler

Peggy McGee

“It’s amazing how exercise helps me feel more energized instead of wearing me out.” “My balance has actually improved since I started stretching on a regular basis.” These are just a few of the comments one routinely hears after exercise classes at the Anza Fitness Center.

There are several certified fitness group instructors at Anza who provide classes that emphasize stretching as well as aerobics.

Aprylmarie Heule, who currently leads her students through a series of stretches designed to improve range of motion and balance, will reintroduce a low impact aerobics class from 3:00 to 3:55 p.m. on Thursdays in the Anza Fitness Center. The class will start June 9.

Aprylmarie has been teaching in Quail Creek for the past eight years, with the first seven focusing on low impact aerobics—great for aging knees! This class will include the use of weights and bands, but will not involve any floor work; this is ideal for those who have trouble getting up without some assistance. In her aerobics class, with feet constantly moving but always one foot on the ground, she combines an interval type of workout by rotating between cardio moves and the use of fitness equipment. The cost is $6 per class.

Her stretch class takes place on Mondays and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. The benefit of taking both classes back to back on Thursdays will give students a full body workout as each class focuses on different muscle groups. Her stretch class does include floor work; however, once the floor exercises begin, students don’t get up again until the end of the class that ends with five minutes of relaxation and deep breathing.

For more information, please contact Aprylmarie Heule at 520-591-6384 or by email at [email protected].

For a complete listing of all the fitness classes at Anza, please go to: http://www.quailcreekhoa.org/Activities/Fitness_Classes.htm or see the Anza Schedule of Classes in the latter part of this issue of The Quail Creek Crossing.