This is the 19th year SELF magazine has been putting on their workout in the park. It is suppose to be a fun filled day of building community with other ladies. A ton of activities will be on hand such as the newest workouts. Ahh, that’s the key word in this activity WORKOUT. I’m not exactly a consistent workout person. I don’t have a daily fitness routine. My workout is made up of walking or riding my bike. I’ve always wanted to find an enjoyable fitness class that I would be able to attend consistently. A class where I could make new friends and look forward to going to. A workout that would help to feel good mentally and physically. I’m sure it exists maybe I’ll find it at the workout in the park.
I’m not a person that likes fast exercise so cardio is out for me. I once attended a ballet boot camp class and almost died. Of course that’s an exaggeration, but that is how I felt during that class. It was the arm and ab exercises that really killed me. I was just not capable of doing half of them so I would just take a break when I needed to. I think that it’s really important to listen to your body and stop when it tells you to instead of feeling pressure to continue because other people may be watching you.
The classes I will definitely not be taking part in at this event are the Rock Bottom, Ab Attack, and Tabura. What is Tabura? The description actually completely terrifies me and assures that it is an exercise I will never take part in. “Inspired by Swahili military endurance and strength training, this class uses kickboxing combos and basic West African dance moves.” Excuse me, but no even though I am curious about the dancing part. I think I will make sure to be an observer, but gladly not a particpator in Tabura.
Dance to me is the perfect workout though! There will be plenty of dancing going on at the park. I want to check out Fly Girls inspired by those girls from In Living Color, it will be bumping to 90s pop music.
There will also be Masala Bhangra inspired by Bollywood and La Blast created by Louis Van Amstel of “Dancing With The Stars”.
Since a balance is necessary to working out there is the Quiet Zone. These classes focus on yoga and pilates. There will be stretching and sculpting. I will be taking the path of least resistance and that means more relaxing and stretching for me. I plan on taking part in Sunrise Salutations since I want to maintain flexibility and increase my strength. Hippie Yoga will be going on, but not that kind of hippie yoga. This is yoga designed to open up your hip area.
What I’m most looking forward to is the pampering and the food samples. Working out is nice and all, but after I like to treat myself. There will be beauty consultations and style workshops. Spa services will be provided-perhaps a mini facial?! And of course there will be give aways and who doesn’t like free things.
If you’re in Chicago this Saturday you should come check it out. It will be held downtown at Grant Park from 11-3. All the details can be found here. What could be more fabulous than working out downtown outside in a park making friends with other fabulous ladies?
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