From: Sun City Texas Fitness
Date/Time: 3/24/2024 9:00 am
Subject: Fitness Communicator - Weekly News - March 24, 2024

Fitness Communicator

March 24, 2024

Communicator Chit Chat

News and views from our fitness center staff…

Wow, what a difference!

A huge thank you goes out to the Sun City Woodshop, and specifically to Zach LaPlante and Jim Wolcott. Our six Pilates Reformers at Northpoint are now a very useable height. Zach and Jim designed, custom built and fitted each machine with a very sturdy platform. It is no longer a test of your core strength just to exit the apparatus.

Not only is mounting and dismounting the machine so much easier, all the accessories (long and short box, magic circle, roll up poles) are now correctly fitted for each reformer. The added height enables the instructors to coach clients with 360̊ versatility.

If you looked in the Small Studio wanting to enjoy the benefits of a reformer class and thought it too challenging to get on and off something so low to the ground, the woodshop has remedied that potential setback.

Come let Marnie, Amy or Yumi set you up on this terrific apparatus and enjoy the benefits of Pilates with the added comfort of supported body positions and some extra comfort (10” extra) for knees, hips and back.

** Also, a Thank You goes to Marnie Marx for spearheading this project!

Fitness Center Spas:

Why doesn’t my nozzle adjust?

1. **Texas Drive Spas**: Both the indoor and outdoor spas allow you to adjust the water pressure by turning the nozzles inside the water.

2. **Cowan Creek Spa**: To control the bubbles and sound, you can turn off the bubbles by adjusting the two nozzles located on each side. Please note that the water circulation will still continue.

3. **The Retreat and Northpoint Spas**: Unfortunately, the water pressure in these spas cannot be adjusted. It's essential to refrain from attempting to adjust them, as it can cause damage or for the nozzle to fall off.

Enjoy those spas!

Cardio Sign-in Boards

As a reminder everyone about the importance of adhering to our sign-in/out procedure for the cardio equipment at our fitness centers.

Regardless of how busy or quiet the gym may be, we kindly ask that you sign in and out on the designated boards located on the walls of each fitness center. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated and ensures fair access for all residents.

When signing in, please remember to provide your name along with the start and end times of your workout session. To accommodate everyone's needs, there is a 30-minute time limit per session. If there are no other residents waiting for equipment after your allotted time, feel free to sign up for another session.

It's important to note that signing up friends or reserving equipment for others is not permitted. Equipment usage operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations are not accepted.

We understand that some residents may have their favorite machines or prefer specific features for their workouts. However, adherence to this policy ensures fairness and equal access for all.

As our fitness centers may experience increased traffic with guests, we kindly ask that you also communicate these rules to them. Your assistance in spreading awareness of this policy would greatly contribute to maintaining a positive experience for everyone.

To Wipe or

Not to Wipe…Choose to Wipe!

We kindly ask for your cooperation in maintaining cleanliness within our fitness facility. While we encourage you to wipe down the equipment before and after use, we do require that you ensure it's cleaned after your workout. This practice isn't solely about COVID precautions; it's also about fostering good gym etiquette for everyone's benefit. Your understanding and adherence to this request are greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping to create a pleasant and hygienic environment for all.

Fitness Centers will be closed

Sunday, March 31

in observance of the Easter holiday.

Monday, April 1 Kids' Swim Time and Pool Changes

Kids' Swim moves to the Outdoor Pools!

April 1 - 30 (only)

1 - 3 p.m.

The Outdoor Pools will be heated!

Greg is no longer available for massages at this time.

Click to enlarge massage flyer >>

Mindful Moment

Today’s thought: Find space in all the noise.

The calm lake beckoned. The house was asleep as I fixed my coffee, wrapped in a blanket against the early morning chill, and found a perfect spot on the dock overlooking Lake LBJ.

The houses across the lake reflected in perfect mirror images on the water's smooth surface. Ah. Tranquility. I took a sip of coffee and started the guided meditation in my favorite app. Then...

A leaf blower with the whirr of a foghorn on a freight train blasted onto the scene.

And. It. Echoed. Tenfold across the lake.

I tried to stay Zen, to focus on the meditation guide. I turned it up but it was useless, the noise drowned everything out. I plugged my ears in hopes it would reduce the noise. I so wanted to enjoy this quiet, stolen moment. I tracked the gardener, willing him to stop, thinking, if only the noise would end, then I will find peace.

If only.

He continued to the next yard. And the next. So, then I got angry at the noise, fought against it, willed it to go away, hoping the leaf blower's battery would die.

It got me thinking about noise, in all its forms, that surrounds us, all the time. Noise is defined as a sound or thing that is "unpleasant or that causes disturbance." So, noise is not just physical noise. It's digital, mental and emotional noise.

It's incessant if we allow it. Excess when we succumb to it.

Then, an interesting thing happened. As soon as I turned my focused attention toward following that train of thought, the noise in essence disappeared. Of course, it didn't actually disappear, but it was no longer present in my mental space. I stopped noticing it.

The truth was I was giving the leaf blower so much attention, energy and emotion trying to ignore it, it was all I could hear.

As soon as I leaned away from it instead of fighting against it, focusing thoughts on something else, a space opened, room for consideration, for wonderment, for creativity.

Hmm. Takes practice, but something to think about next time there's too much noise.

Something to think about.

Cindy Yantis – Fitness Monitor and Sun City Resident

Class Schedules

Texas Drive

March Class Schedule >>

Northpoint

March Class Schedule >>

Small Studio Schedule >>

Cowan Creek

March Class Schedule >>

TRX and Pilates Reformers –

Online Registration now Available

Small Group Training Classes ONLY

Log onto www.sctexas.org. Go to the Fitness page, and on the left side there are the fitness menu options. Click on NP Small Group Training Register.

Featured Fitness

Class of the Week

Power Cycling with Sally

Wednesdays, 9-10 a.m.

Cowan Creek

Non-impact cycling to improve endurance and strength. This is a longer class with more power and strength drills. Level 3 – 5

Drink Today?

Spicy Grapefruit Refresher

Click for recipe >>

Click here to enlarge Personal Trainers flyer >>

Tips from the Trainers

Exercises for Brain health

AEROBIC EXERCISE

Regular aerobic exercise boosts blood flow to your brain, and boosts the size of your hippocampus, the part of your brain that’s involved in verbal memory and learning.

Older adults should aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, according to current physical activity guidelines, though you may want to consider mixing in bursts of high-intensity activity. A new study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that adults who incorporated a few minutes (we’re talking 6 to 7 minutes) of vigorous activity into their daily routines saw improvements in memory and planning and organizational skills.

WEIGHT TRAINING

Weight training can help prevent shrinkage of the hippocampus in older adults. Another study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, compared the effects of two different types of exercise done A 2020 study published in the journal NeuroImage: Clinical found that six months of strength once or twice weekly over 12 months among women ages 65 to 75 — balance and tone training and resistance training — and found that pumping iron produced the best results for memory and other cognition measurements.

TAI CHI

Older adults who practiced tai chi for 12 weeks had a greater ability to multitask than those who didn’t practice it, according to a 2018 study published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. They also had more activity in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain where higher-level thinking occurs. Research supported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also suggests that tai chi can help improve reasoning, planning, problem-solving and memory among older adults who show no evidence of significant cognitive impairment. Adults with mild cognitive impairment due to dementia saw a boost in cognitive.

DANCING

A landmark New England Journal of Medicine study followed seniors for more than 20 years and found that regular dancing reduced the risk of dementia by 76 percent — twice as much as reading. More recently, a 2017 review published in the journal Current Alzheimer Research concluded that dance interventions improved cognitive function in dementia patients.

SCTX Personal Training staff: John Rutan, Allison Worley, Michelle Dwyer, Brendi Middleton, Mike Stuchl, Byron Goff, Bill Norton, Lenny Jones, Bobbie Kelm, Tim Fisette, Jill Grierson, Janis Arteaga and TR Odermatt.

Questions about personal training? Visit our website or email John Rutan at [email protected]

New Resident Fitness Orientation

If you are new to Sun City and need to complete your fitness center orientation, email Leslie McCoy at [email protected] to schedule your appointment.

Looking for Fitness Videos? Check out our collection here>>

As with all exercise programs, when using our exercise videos or other fitness information from our website, Facebook page or other SCTXCA social media source, please use common sense. To reduce and avoid injury, please check with your doctor before beginning any fitness program or performing any fitness activity. By performing any fitness exercises, you are performing them at your own risk. Do not start any fitness program without consulting your physician or health care provider. If you experience faintness, dizziness, pain or shortness of breath at any time while exercising you should stop immediately. SCTXCA and its agents will not be responsible or liable for any injury or harm sustained as a result of any fitness program, online fitness videos or information shared on our website or other social media. This includes emails, videos and text. Thank you for understanding and stay safe!

SUN CITY FITNESS Facebook Page

Videos and More!

Check us out and "Like" us on the Sun City Fitness Facebook page for exercise, videos and nutrition tips.

Click here for more info>>

Michelle Mason

Fitness Director

512-948-7752

[email protected]

Beth White

Fitness Manager

512-948-7753

[email protected]

Kathy Carver

Fitness Manager

512-948-7767

[email protected]

John Rutan

Personal Training Coordinator

512-948-7757

[email protected]

Randy Perez

Fitness Operations Supervisor

512-948-7754

[email protected]

Fitness Centers

Weekly Attendance

Your attendance record is important in planning for space, budgeting, equipment and programming. Below are the numbers of residents who logged in March 9-15, 2024.

Texas Drive - 3,454

Cowan Creek - 2,085

The Retreat - 566

Northpoint - 1,964

Visit the Fitness website>>

Call our Fitness Information Lines:

Texas Drive 512-948-7750 • Cowan Creek 512-948-7780

• The Retreat 512-948-7763 • Northpoint 512-948-7765

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