Is Zumba a Craze or Here to Stay?

Local Instructors of the Latin-based dance classes share their thoughts on the benefits and longevity of Zumba.

According to the official website, "Zumba Fitness is the Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music and contagious steps to form a fitness party that is downright addictive." Although it seems like the phenomenon recently sprouted in local gyms and dance schools, the company Zumba Fitness been around since 2001. According to the website, it was accidentally created by Columbian Aerobics instructor Alberto Perez, who in the mid 90's forgot his regular music and had to improvise by using his own mix. It was the idea to let the music move you instead of counting repetitions over the music that inspired Zumba. Since then, it has exploded onto the workout scene, and many Tewksbury fitness clubs, dance studios …

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Newest Wilmington Gym Finds Early Success

Body Infusion by HER off to fast start with clients traveling from in and out of town for a workout.

With the three owners of Body Infusion by HER coming from Tewksbury, Wilmington and Woburn, it was evident that there would be a client base from multiple towns around the local area when the studio opened nearly two months ago. But just how far residents have been willing to travel for a workout has been surprising, even to Wilmington’s newest trio of gym owners. “We have customers coming from Wilmington, Billerica and Tewksbury, but we have people coming from as far as Lynnfield and Peabody,” said co-owner Emily Vieira, of Wilmington. “I didn’t know people would even know about us so the fact that they drive all the way from there is exciting. I don’t know how they got the word, but they came. It’s been pretty cool.” Vieira, Tewksbury …

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Tewksbury Woman, Partners Open New Fitness Business

Wilmington, Tewksbury and Woburn residents combine to open Body Infusion by HER.

For a trio of local residents with a combined 30 years of work in the fitness industry, the next step was a logical one. It was time to open their own studio. “The three of us joined up because of the trust we have in each other,” said co-owner Emily King, who teamed up with Rose Ryan of Tewksbury and Woburn native Heather Lowe to open up Body Infusion by HER over the weekend. “We are hard working, dedicated, and we have a lot of heart and passion for what we do.” Wilmington’s newest gym is located at 296 Shawsheen Ave. in the plaza that includes Greg’s Roast Beef. King, who was raised in Wilmington and still lives in town, said the location was perfect because it is close for all three of the organizers, and also provides an opportunity …

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5 Great Christmas Gift Ideas For Dad

Dad is pretty tough to buy for but we have some ideas on the subject.

(Editor’s note: This is the second in our series of Christmas Gift Ideas. Next week, “Gifts for Mom.”) Your dad is almost always the hardest person on your Christmas list to buy for. What do you get for the man who seems to have everything and when you ask him what he would like he says, “I don’t know. Whatever you get is fine.” We’re here to help.  Here are five ideas for gifts you can get your dad that he will truly appreciate. 1. An Oil Change – Dad loves his car almost as much as he loves his family. Get him a gift certificate for an oil change to help him keep it running in tip-top shape. Some local shops to consider are: Concord Auto Service Sooner Lube First Class Auto Service Quality Auto Repair 2. Dunkin Donuts – You know dad …

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Charity Boot Camp To Raise Funds For Breast Cancer Awareness

Event to take place at Fitness Revolution on Oct. 30.

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by the ownership of Fitness Revolution.) In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fitness Revolution, 90 Washington St., Tewksbury, will host the 2nd Annual Charity Boot Camp to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer awareness foundation.  According to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer, when caught early, is 98%. If caught late, this rate plummets to 23%.  The Charity Boot Camp workout will consist of high energy training circuits, with enough variety to meet the fitness needs of any teen or adult, regardless of ability or exercise experience.  “We encourage everyone to come support this cause and experience our fun, …

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Ask The Fitness Coach

Are you a Hard Gainer?

Q and A from a local fitness coach.

Dear Fitness Coach,  I have a weight problem, but it’s not what you think: I need to gain weight. I am a 22-year-old guy weighing in at 155 and I am 6 feet tall. I know enough to realize supersizing every meal at McDonald’s is not the way to go. I want to put on muscle, not just fat. What is the best/quickest way to do this? Lean ’n’ Lanky   Dear Lanky,  When 66% of the population is overweight or obese, one might think that being too thin is not an issue. But it can be just as challenging to gain weight as it is to lose it. The key is gaining lean muscle, not fat. At your height a healthy weight is 190 pounds. It will take you approximately 4 months to put on 40 pounds, and 20 of those should be in muscle mass.  The healthy and safe way …

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Ask The Fitness Coach

7 Ways to Eat Healthier at a Restaurant

Fitness Q and A with a fitness coach.

Dear Fitness Coach, Recently married, my wife and I lead pretty hectic lives. Both our jobs entail travel, and between that and our commute to and from Boston we have little time or energy left for home cooking. We eat out a lot, and it’s finally taken its toll: within six months I have gained 20 pounds and my wife 12 pounds. Short of hiring our own personal chef, I am not sure what we can do, but this weight gain has got to stop. Humpty and Dumpty :)   Dear H and D, You really do take a leap of faith eating in a restaurant, even if you think you are making healthy food choices. Whether it’s the drive-thru at BK or that trendy bistro in the North End, these establishments do not put your health interests first. The food is generally …

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Dickie Ecklund To Teach Boxing Class At Gold's Gym Winter Fest 2011

The fitness club offers three days of group fitness, activities.

Break out the sweatbands, boxing gloves, and ski boots -- Gold’s Gym is hosting its second-annual Winter Fest. The fitness club will open its doors to members and non-members alike during the three-day event, held January 22-24, which will include full fitness programs such as kettlebell, spin, hip-hop and zumba classes. The gym will also offer raffles, give-aways, and on-site vendors to support the occasion. Kerry Riedy, the general manager of the gym, said that event was initially organized not only to promote fitness, but also community awareness and involvement. “We started doing it … to incentivize people to come in and also to best open up to the community,” she said. “When we work with local people…then it helps them promote their …

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Tewksbury Fit

Breaking Down Yoga

What type of yoga is right for you?

Yoga is one of the most popular exercise choices out there.  Yoga has many benefits to your body.  Improved flexibility is the first thing that people think of in association with Yoga.  Yoga can also improve your overall strength, posture, cardiovascular strength, stress, focus and many more benefits. Many fitness facilities and studios offer a wide variety of Yoga classes that are not all the same.  It is important to try out the different types of Yoga to see if one fits you better.  Hatha Yoga – Hatha is a more emphasized stretching form of Yoga.  This class is usually great for beginners as it is slower, more deliberate and focuses on breathing and light meditation. This is a good place to learn basic poses, relaxation techniques, and…