MORROW The Clayton State University Department of Recreation and Wellness plans to host Aerobics and Fitness Association of Americas APEX Weekend in February.

AFAA boasts having issued more than 300,000 certifications to fitness professionals from 73 countries worldwide since 1983.

The association is credentialed by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Education. It is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

This is Clayton States second straight year hosting the AFAA event set for Feb 21-23.

We are thrilled to welcome AFAA back to Clayton State in 2014, said Lisa Williamson, assistant director of Recreation and Wellness. Hosting fitness certifications on campus assists in promoting Clayton State University to the local community and provides on-campus opportunities for our students to become certified fitness professionals.

The AFAA certifications and workshops will include Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Feb. 21-23, Group Exercise: the Practical Way Workshop Feb. 21, Primary Group Exercise Certification Feb. 22, Kickboxing Instructor Certification Feb. 22, and Practical Pilates Workshop Feb. 23.

All certifications and workshops will be hosted in the Clayton State Student Activities Center Fitness Center, 2000 Clayton State Blvd. in Morrow. Registration is available on AFAAs website at http://www.afaa.com by searching the Atlanta area.

For links to certification registrations, visit http://www.clayton.edu/recwell/Fitness-Center/Group-Exercise.

Read more here:
Clayton State to host AFAA’s APEX Weekend in February

STAMFORD, Conn. -- A pipe burst at the Stamford Family YMCA on Tuesday, forcing everyone to evacuate the facility and closing it down for the day. But officials hope to reopen the building by 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2.

"We had an issue with our facility that caused a pipe to burst in the second floor aerobics studio. No one was injured or hurt, but the building had to be evacuated and the fire department along with the Health Department were dispatched," Ernest Lamour, chief executive officer of the Stamford Family YMCA, said in a statement on the Facebook page.

"Because of the severity of this situation, the health department asked the facility be shut down ASAP for the safety of all our members."

The burst pipe caused damage not only to the aerobics studio, but also to the following areas:

The following steps were taken to be able to reopen the facilities, according to the statement:

The Health Department is schedule to hold an inspection of the YMCA's facilities at 8 a.m., Thursday in advance of the planned 10 a.m. reopening.

The aerobics studio will be under construction until Friday, Jan. 10. All evening fitness classes will be canceled until Monday, Jan. 13.

"While this was not the way I wanted our 2013 to end, I realize there are some things in life you just can't control and that accidents will happen," Lamour said. "We've done all that we can over the last couple of hours to control the damages from getting any worst."

Originally posted here:
Stamford YMCA Closes, Sustains Damage After Pipe Bursts

American glutes, biceps and bellies are fueling a $22 billion industry centered on keeping U.S. bodies fit. In Oakland alone there's yoga, Pilates, CrossFit, endurance racing, boxing, aerobics, weight training and running, plus multiple variations of each of those.

Keeping up with the competition requires offering as many services under one roof as possible, said Kewesi Simon, owner of Kinesthetic Exercise Sciences fitness studio in West Oakland.

"You want to be a one-stop shop," he said.

Simon said he was able to "niche out" by offering boot camps, muay thai martial arts, women's self-defense and yoga, with a dance fitness class planned.

"That's how you make it in the industry at this time," he said.

Owners like Simon also have to keep up with the latest exercise fads as well as variations within the staples.

Take Pilates for example. The body conditioning system once occupied a specialized and somewhat exotic domain in the world of step aerobics and stationary bicycles. Now places like Pilates ProWorks on Lakeshore Avenue offer, among several other variations, a bumped-up version that looks to the outsider like a mix between yoga and weight training.

"You want to think of this as Pilates on steroids," instructor Skipp Swoope said. Upstairs, a series of black straps hang from the ceiling for TRX suspension conditioning classes.

Even boxing gyms have varieties, from the classic King's Boxing Gym on 35th Avenue to Boxing for Health on Santa Clara Avenue. Then there are kickboxing, martial arts and mixed martial arts.

On the other end of the spectrum, Hipline on Lakeshore Avenue promises to set "all buns blazing" with classes like Shimmy Pop ("We are gonna move like a pack of wild horses"); Power Pop; and Shimmy Meow ("Get fierce!").

Read more from the original source:
More choices than ever in Oakland for getting fit in 2014

Registration for water aerobics during the winter is now open through Craig Parks and Recreation.

Water aerobics offer a low-resistance method of exercise and can improve fitness and flexibility. The classes are held at Moffat County High Schools pool on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m.

Classes run through Jan. 15 and will not occur the week of winter break. Sessions cost $45, or $4 for individual classes. For more information, contact Craig Parks and Recreation at 970-826-2017.

Registration is open for Craig Parks and Recreations Trailbusters program.

The Trailbusters offers ski and snowboard lessons for children from Craig in first through sixth grade in January and February. Lessons begin Jan. 18 and finish Feb. 22, and transportation to Steamboat is included.

Those interested must register by Jan. 10. The cost is $300, with participants purchasing lift tickets and rentals (if needed) for each Saturday they attend.

The Parks and Rec Ski Club is also accepting registrations now. The Ski Club is open to anyone and costs $10 to join. Members can get Saturday lift tickets for $57.

For more information on Trailbusters or Ski Club, contact Parks and Rec at 970-826-2029.

Basketball beginners can get into the sport though Craig Parks and Recreations junior youth basketball league.

Registration is open for boys and girls from kindergarten through second grade. Boys leagues will play Mondays and Wednesdays, while girls will be Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Original post:
Craig Sports Briefs for Dec. 29, 2013: Winter water aerobics underway

CORUNNA A five week session of water aerobics will begin Jan. 8, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Corunna Middle School pool.

Class meeting dates are Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 and Feb. 5. Cost of the five week session is $10 total for all five classes and payable the first night.

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Originally posted here:
Water aerobics class offered

Basketball beginners can get into the sport through Craig Parks and Recreations junior youth basketball league.

Registration is open for boys and girls from kindergarten through second grade. Boys leagues will play Mondays and Wednesdays, while girls will be Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The deadline to register is Jan. 8, and the season runs from Feb. 10 through April 10.

Registration is available in person or online at http://www.ci.craig.co.us. For more information, call Parks and Rec at 970-826-2029.

Registration for water aerobics during the winter now is open through Craig Parks and Recreation.

Water aerobics offer a low-resistance method of exercise and can improve fitness and flexibility. The classes are held at Moffat County High Schools pool from 7 to 8 p..m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

Classes run through Jan. 15 and will not occur the week of winter break. Sessions cost $45, or $4 for individual classes. For more information, call Craig Parks and Recreation at 970-826-2017.

Registration is open for Craig Parks and Recreations Trailbusters program.

The Trailbusters offers ski and snowboard lessons for children from Craig in first through sixth grade in January and February. Lessons begin Jan. 18 and finish Feb. 22, and transportation to Steamboat is included.

Those interested must register by Jan. 10. The cost is $300, with participants purchasing lift tickets and rentals (if needed) for each Saturday they attend.

See original here:
Craig sports briefs for Dec. 26, 2013: Junior basketball registration open in Craig