Zumba, Pilates, aqua exercise: Where the classes are

Today, our print alter ego in the Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer looks at popular exercises for a demographic that, a new study finds, is particularly challenged to lose weight and stay in shape: women in and about to enter menopause.

The good news: there lots of exercises especially good for women in the 45-and-up range. As the story notes, our experts are particularly high on these four: Zumbawater aerobics/swimming, walking, Pilates.  The better news: It’s not hard to find a class for any of them — and in the case of walking, you don’t even need a class, you can just walk out your front door. read more

WWHK do? Proselytizing pedaling

What would a Hare Krishna do? Not a question I ever envisioned asking myself, but I did this morning during a 30-mile bike ride in rural Orange County.

Earlier on the ride, Alan and I were heading east on Arthur Minnis Road, about to turn left onto Borland Road. We were riding single file, me in front, Alan on my wheel. As the turn approached, Alan looked back, saw a car approaching in the distance, announced there was a car but that we had time to turn. I signaled a left turn, heard a car accelerating, then the horn. Just as quickly as she had sped up to pass us she hit the brakes, rolled down her window and started chewing us out. read more

An event for everyman

Marcy chuckled at her computer screen. The wife was scouting upcoming runs, triathlons, bike rides — anything that might provide a carrot for getting out and training. “The Grueling Triathlon of Doom,” she said, letting me in on the joke.

Grueling Triathlon of Doom? Such truth in advertising, I thought. Triathletes are well-conditioned not to view what they do as “grueling,” nor to entertain notions of “doom.” My mind raced; shortly, my fingers followed, on my own keyboard to see what this Grueling Triathlon of Doom was all about. read more

Explore the outdoors, discover yourself.