What is the best way to tackle daunting tasks like changing your lifestyle into one that is healthier, more active and more productive? The same way you would tackle the task of eating an elephant: one bite at a time.
Improvement comes one step at a time, and it takes hard work and dedication to get there.
The recreation department is excited for our members to improve with us in 2017. We are taking our existing programs and amping them up to make them safer and more effective, while bringing in new, exciting programs to expand the overall member experience.
Temperature changes in the pool and exercise classroom are just one way that we are working toward improving existing facilities. The big pool and fitness classroom are considered multi-use facilities because a wide variety of activities take place is these rooms. The challenge is making everyone comfortable in a safe way.
While some activities, like yoga and water arthritis enjoy warmer temps, activities like aerobics and lap swimming are looking for a cooler climate. The decision to make these areas of the Wellness Center comply with typical industry standards is one that will improve the wear and tear on our equipment. The fitness classroom, for example, is now being kept at about 68 degrees for all classes, instead of fluctuating between 63 and 73 degrees from one class to another. These unreasonable adjustments to the air temperature were creating an unnecessary strain on air units, leaving them down for maintenance more often than they should.
While constant fluctuations were plaguing the fitness classroom, consistently high temps in the pool room have been wreaking havoc. Industry standards dictate that multi-activity pools should be kept between 80-86 degrees, while warm water therapy pools should not be operated warmer than 96 degrees. Our Wellness Center pools were both running an average of 3-4 degrees higher than this standard.
When temperatures are kept higher in pools, there is an increased strain on mechanical equipment, including HVAC systems that are trying to regulate humidity in the room. There is also a decreased effectiveness of pool chemicals, which can lead to bacterial growth. Worst of all, there is an increased chance for medical emergencies since folks are exercising in warm water. Knowingly putting our membership at risk is not an acceptable practice.
The addition of trails is an exciting change that the department is passionate about this spring. In addition to our existing half-mile paved, ADA-accessible walking path, there is a half-mile wooded, nature trail being blazed behind the Wellness Center. With the help of volunteers in the months to come, we plan to grow this flagship path into a series of nature trails that will provide our community with an exercise opportunity that feeds the mind, body and soul.
Orientations on the proper use of the cardiovascular and weight equipment will be provided at 2 p.m. March 1, 7, 16 and 28. Please sign up in advance by calling the Wellness Center at 865-458-7070.
Floor trainers will be available to answer questions about basic exercise routines and equipment use at no charge. Grab them for a quick question 9-11 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They are eager to help, and don’t forget to grab a complimentary coffee on the way out.
We also have a wide variety of personal trainers available that can tailor a workout to specific needs and goals. Whether you are looking for help with rehab or fitness on land or water, we have the trainer that is right for you. For more information, stop at the Wellness Center front desk.
Tennessee Orthopedic Clinic offers a free on-site injury assessment and home exercise instruction 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays at the Wellness Center.
Joints in Motion is the new warm water-based program that increases flexibility, range of motion, coordination and balance. It also emphasizes muscle strength and posture. The exercises are designed to help decrease joint pain and stiffness for individuals with arthritis or fibromyalgia and help continue rehabilitation following joint replacement surgery. Join Mikki Barr in the Wellness Center Therapy Pool 11 a.m.-noon Tuesdays or Thursdays. One session will run each day and last four weeks. Signing up in advance is required since space will be limited to 10 participants per session. For more information, call the Wellness Center at 865-458-7070.
Join Genese Kerns for her popular mat-based pilates class at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Kerns will engage all your muscles in this non-impact exercise class, while offering lots of variation for people of different activity levels.
Intro to Line Dancing with Toni Grovier will begin March 28 at the Wellness Center. Classes will meet 1-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is an additional $3 fee for this class, which is paid directly to the instructor. A class minimum of 20 participants must be met. To sign up, call 865-458-7070.
Join Recreation Director Simon Bradbury as he takes you on a wellness adventure that fuses functional training, yoga and pilates to improve core strength, endurance and balance. This class will also teach specialized breathing techniques that can help you improve how you sleep, work and play. Bradbury is ACE certified with more than 15 years experience. This new class will take place at 2:15 p.m. Mondays beginning in March.
The Table Tennis Club meets 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 1-3 p.m. Thursdays. Players range from beginners to athletes looking for an activity with a little less impact to former devotees looking to get back in the game. All equipment is provided.
The Tellico Village Tarpons Swim Team will be hosting swim clinics 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 11, 1-4 p.m. March 12, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 25 and 1-4 p.m. March 26. The Wellness Center pool will be closed to all other activities during these times.
It’s almost time to get children signed up for the 2017 Camp Tellico Medieval Experience. They’ll swim, play and craft. We might even have a few surprises up our sleeves this year. Signups start Monday, April 3, and spots fill up fast.
Swim lessons aren’t just for kids anymore. Join Kim Wiebe, Red Cross certified swim instructor, and expand your swimming journey no matter what your age. Wiebe teaches beginning swimming and water safety for all ages, adult swimming efficiency for exercise and rehab, triathlon training, personal water workouts for strength and conditioning, as well as strokes, turns, starts and diving for competitive swimmers. For more information, call the Wellness Center at 865-458-7070.
For upcoming hike information, please check the hiking website at http://www.tvhikers.com.
