The Grand Views

Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Features

When the mercury starts to fall and t-shirts and shorts turn to sweatshirts and long johns, a part of our lives tends to go up as the temperature goes down. It may be easy to hide, but winter is only so long, and soon enough, those winter pounds will start to show.

People tend to put on weight during the winter. The most common reason cited for winter weight gain is it is cold outside and it sounds easier to stay curled up in front of the TV rather than do something active.

Another reason is the issue of holidays - everything from Christmas to Thanksgiving provide many opportunities to indulge a little too much and pack on grandma's homemade pumpkin pie and stuffing.

For all these reasons to gain weight, there is a counter-measure to avoid it. It may seem harder to stay active during the winter, but it is not impossible. Just because students can't be as active outdoors, doesn't mean they can't be active indoors with some fun and calorie-burning activities.

The most traditional and one of the most time-efficient is simply going to a gym. The most common complaint about the gym is its boring and not easy to work out effectively by yourself, but there are many facilities close to Grand View that offer not only fun, but trainers that can help students lose weight for a reasonable price.

The Altoona Campus, located in Altoona less than five miles from campus, offers a fun way to work out, and trainers to help people make the best of their time at the gym. The campus offers a swimming pool, full weight room and cardio area with TV's and also two basketball courts.

Matt Sillanpaa, strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer at the campus, said prices range from $35-60, depending on how much training is involved. Students can get even lower rates on training packages.

"Having a personal trainer produces better result for some people because it keeps your regimen fresh and gives variety, clients are less likely to get bored," Sillanpaa said.

It isn't just the 45-60 minutes at the gym that is going to help a person stay fit during the winter, but simple life style changes help as well.

"Stay active over break by choosing to shovel the snow instead of snow blow," Sillanpaa said. "It might not be as easy, but exercise is supposed to be hard work. Challenge yourself."

Goals are important in staying fit as well.

"Make a goal for yourself for the month of December. Too many people wait till the New Year to make a goal. If you do that, you have already spent a whole month of winter break being lazy and gaining weight. If you can, make your weight loss or strength goal start on Dec 1 so you have a reason not to pig out on Christmas and New Years," Sillanpaa said.

For a less traditional but still very effective way of staying in shape there is always pole dancing. This is not just for sexy young things; anyone is invited to learn how to "work the pole."

Kees Camp Fitness Studio, located at 155 N. First Street in Carlisle, boasts the first pole fitness studio in Iowa.

Jen Kees, who has been involved with group fitness and personal training since 1993, said pole fitness is designed to take the drudgery out of exercise while training the muscular core and boosting confidence.

Kees said the one-hour "Level One Pole Fitness Class," a class where women learn how to move with and around the pole, basic floor moves, dances and trick fundamentals, can help to burn 300-400 calories.

Shannon Rhoades, who signed up for pole fitness after one of her friends hosted a pole party, said, "It's a blast."

While business doesn't ever stop at the studio, Kees said she sees a different type of customer during the winter months. She said she sees a group of people who are already athletic; runners and bikers who don't want to be outside in the cold.

Prices range from $25 for an "Intro to Pole Fitness Class", a four-class beginning course for $119 up to longer and more advanced courses for $230.

The only weight being used is one's own body weight, Kees said," Even if you haven't worked out for years, you can pole dance."

Bowling is not something that people traditionally think about when considering physical fitness, but bowling burns calories that will never be burned sitting on the couch with a bag of chips.

A male weighing 180 pounds and about 65 inches tall will burn 148 calories per hour while bowling, according to fitday.com. Add the muscles that are being toned and trained while bowling, it is a much better option than watching TV or other typical bad habits.

Val Lanes, located in West Des Moines, has been providing fun and secret exercise since 1959 and features a game room.

Val Lanes has many different specials that make bowling cheap and affordable, such as $1.50 games after 9 p.m. on Thursdays and many other specials as well.

Rock climbing isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about activities to do during the winter, but it is being done every day at Climb Iowa. Climb Iowa, located at 5401 Miehi Dr. in Grimes, is an indoor rock climbing facility and offers over 10,000 square feet of climbing walls.

Climb Iowa offers an "Intro to Climbing" class for $35. The class, which is offered Monday through Friday by appointment; Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m.; and Sunday at 11 am and 2 p.m. teaches climbers the basics of climbing and how to belay.

Day passes can be purchased for $15 plus the cost of gear, a required harness and optional shoes, chalk and belay device.

Having opened in November of last year, Climb Iowa expects many more customers to be coming in for the winter while it is too cold for outdoor activities. Aaron Stevens, manager of Climb Iowa said, "I would expect close to a 50% increase [in business]."

Stevens, who came to Climb Iowa after managing a climbing gym in Kansas City for eight years, said climbing is a full body workout, including cardiovascular, upper and lower body.

While climbing burns up to 800 calories per hour according to Stevens, anyone can do it. Stevens said he has seen people from two to 80-years-old climb.

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