Aerobic Grandma: Menu of fitness classes for the upcoming year

Whether you are in great physical condition and raring to go or one of those snowbirds who returns each winter saying, “I haven’t done a thing since I left here last spring,” you have quite a smorgasbord of classes to choose from on the Key this season.

The biggest news is only for members of the Longboat Key Club. New owner Ocean Properties has wasted no time at all finding bigger, better space for the Mind & Motion Studio classroom. The new studio is adjacent to the club’s Islandside Fitness Centre in space formerly occupied by a pro shop. It is 2,280 square feet — twice the size of the former location. It offers more than 50 different classes weekly, including new ones such as Yoga for Athletes, Spin & Sculpt and Boxallet, which is a combination of boxing, ballet and Pilates. We won’t detail the schedule here because the classes are only open to members and guests at the Inn on the Beach. As always, they can pick up a complete schedule at the fitness center.

Bayfront Park Recreation Center
The biggest news here isn’t the class schedule but that fact that access to the building is being dramatically improved by the installation of a new handicap ramp at the back of the building and a new front staircase. Work has begun and should be completed soon. The town works to maintain the facility, but there can be little argument that a replacement is overdue … way overdue. Perhaps this will be the season that the community finds an acceptable route to that objective.

Barbara Anderson’s Tuesday morning class has a new name — Cardio Bootcamp; the content is still 20 minutes of cardio aerobics plus a full-body workout. Sherry Fideler will once again offer Tai Chi, but the date and time are not yet finalized; call 316-1980 for the latest information.

Gail Condrick is back with Nia on Saturday morning but not until Jan. 19. My Pilates class remains accessible to all levels. If you have never taken Pilates before, however, please come on a Tuesday — and be prepared to be teased as a “Pilates Virgin.” Many students have taken their first Pilates class at the Rec Center and we are happy to have you — but only on a Tuesday.

The Nuts and Bolts. Rec Center classes are “walk in” — no reservations required. Fees range from $8 to $10 for members and $13 to $15 for non-members. Membership for one year is $25. For individual residents and $35 for non-residents; $45 resident couples; and $60 family – still the best bargain in Sarasota-Manatee workout facilities. Bayfront Park is at 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive, just north of the Ace Hardware store. Call 316-1980.

Longboat Key Education Center
Once again, this year, the just-started winter term at the Education Center offers yoga five mornings a week. There is a new option for Nia lovers; Gail Condrick is trying out a 5 p.m. “Happy Hour” time slot Mondays. If you’d like to know more about Nia, check out her website: gaelavisions.com. The Education Center also offers two meditation classes, both 90 minutes long. Ruth Fishel teaches Mindful Meditation from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Gen Kelsang Demo offers Training in Conscientiousness, Mindfulness and Alertness from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday.

There are several new fitness-and-health related single-session workshops at the Education Center. Topics range from Ayurveda, an ancient and intriguing approach to health from India, to the invitingly titled “Wrinkles Don’t Hurt — the Joy of Aging Mindfully.” The fitness-related topics are listed on the chart; as always, you can view the full schedule of classes and workshops on the Education Center website: lbkeducationcenter.org.

The Nuts and Bolts. Advanced registration is required for Education Center classes and workshops. The winter term started last week and runs through Feb. 28. Fitness classes are typically $88 for members and $104 for the term but they may be taken individually. Single-session workshops range from $30 to $50 for members; $35 to $60 for non-members. Memberships start at $50 for individuals; $75 for couples. You can register by calling 383-8811. The Education Center is in the Centre Shops at 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive, second floor.

Click here to view the Longboat Key Fitness classes 2013 winter schedule

Molly Schechter is an ACE-certified personal trainer with a specialty in older adult fitness plus YogaFit Instructor Training, SCF Yoga Fundamentals I and II and Power Pilates™ Mat Certifications. She teaches classes at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center and the Longboat Key Club. E-mail her The Longboat Key Club’s new Mind ‘n Motion studio for fitness classes at [email protected].