MARCH 2015 SUNRAYS | 39
ONLINE:
SCTEXAS.ORG
Photo by CHARLIE BYERS
Give Me Strength!
By Mike Gullickson
Strength
Tuesdays and Thursdays
10:30 a.m.
Texas Drive Fitness Center
Strength training uses resistance
equipment to build overall strength
and muscular endurance.
Questions?
For more information about
Strength and other group fit-
ness classes, email Whitney
Alexander at whitney.alexander@
sctexas.org or call 512-948-7753.
W
hen you hear “Strength Class”,
what springs to mind? Is it
a Spartan gym filled with
bulky men clad in torn tee shirts,
grunting and groaning under the enor-
mous weight of the barbells they’re
lifting over their heads? Is it Rocky
Balboa? Is it Ahhnold?
Maybe it’s time to update that image.
In Marilyn Pagano’s Strength work-
out, you might still hear some grunting
and groaning, but it won’t be because
of 500-pound barbells. Instead, you’ll
find this energetic instructor giving com-
mands to lift, stretch, push and pull,
encouraging class members to engage
all their muscles as they move about
the room, maximizing aerobic as well
as anaerobic benefits.
Described by participants as warm,
focused and creative, this writer also
observed Marilyn to be a particularly
attentive and patient instructor, leading
her very inclusive workout with enough
vigor to keep everyone moving, but not
so much that anyone fell behind. Using
light weights, the class first marched,
then danced to the left and the right, lift-
ing their arms and extending so many
kicks that for a minute I felt I should get
hazardous duty pay.
Marilynn encouraged her group to take
breaks when needed. Many of the stu-
dents took her advice, breaking for wa-
ter. Personally, I carry a two liter bottle
of Coke Zero with me at all times, so I
was good to go.
As one might expect from a workout
class, the music was active and inspir-
ing. This would be a particularly good
class for golfers, line dancers, softball
players, couch potatoes, sky divers, or
anyone else with a pulse who would like
to continue having one. It is recommend-
ed that you see a doctor immediately if
you notice you have no pulse.
Strength meets every Tuesday and
Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Texas
Drive Fitness Center.
