Are you looking for fitness and weight loss classes? Want to be fit for
FREE? If you answered yes to these two questions, you’re in for a treat, courtesy of the City of Toronto. Toronto Parks and Recreation offers an enormous range of free fitness (and other general interest) classes, including yoga, Pilates and cardio. A review of three fitness classes are conducted below to help you choose the right one for you.
Yoga
Breath is the essence of yoga so be prepared to breathe at a very intimate level. Depending on your teacher’s specialization, you can take two yoga classes and do completely different things in each one. That is the case at the , where the Monday class focuses on the mental experience of yoga, while the Friday class employs bricks and resistance bands, alongside some lessons in theory. Techniques will include
laughing exercises, where the whole class simply bursts into laughter without provocation. The teacher may even ask you to make strange hissing sounds. It may sound a bit silly, but you are left feeling jubilant by the end of class. The one-hour class finishes off with a few minutes lying in the dark in the Shavasana
“Corpse” pose to complete the relaxation routine. The only nuisance of this class is that it is so relaxing, the risk of falling asleep is high.
Pilates
Pilates is an excellent middle point between relaxing yoga and intensive cardio. If you are seeking a journey that is less spiritual and more exercise-oriented (but not too strenuous),
Pilates is the perfect choice for you. The muscles will be in the spotlight during this one-hour class as your teacher guides you through poses that tone your body. Strengthen those legs, flatten that waist and boost your arm strength! Although props like resistance bands are sometimes used, students usually execute postures with only the aid of their mat or the wall. Although the class is catered for beginners, the teacher will offer advanced versions of a pose for repeat participants. Be advised that not all poses are suitable for everyone and can be particularly risky for senior citizens, pregnant women and those who have undergone surgery recently. If you fall in these categories, fear not; the teacher is highly qualified and will advise you accordingly.
Cardio / Dance
Depending on your teacher, the cardio class can take the form of choreographed dance moves accompanied by upbeat music. Alternatively, you may move to instrumental music, where you’re shaking your hips and kicking your legs in a fashion that is a bit more rigid than a dance routine. Either way, your blood gets pumping and your heart begins accelerating and sweat starts pouring! The last fifteen minutes are spend in
repose on mats, stretching out those sore muscles. The classes are an hour long and there is no strict structure to them; you can dance your heart away, you can take as many water breaks as you’d like and if you need some air (although the rooms are very well ventilated), just step outside for a breather. The routines are work for both body and brain; you’ll be using the
“monkey see, monkey do” method, where you’ll need to watch and repeat a series of moves performed in quick succession by the teacher.
There are some drawbacks. Particularly during the start of classes, there are more people than
spaces available, as people from the waitlist sometimes show up. This can restrict your own ability to freely move along with the teacher. Secondly, the teacher will often yell instructions or words of encouragement over the loud music, which can be hard to hear. Lastly, you need to be strong enough to commit to at least 45 minutes of activity, which does not agree with everyone. Know your limit, and quietly leave class early if half-hour of exercise is the perfect amount for you (the teacher won’t mind).
Costs
The good news: Many community centres offer
free classes. Click
here to see if your community centre is one of them.
The Welcome Policy is catered towards individuals with low income or those on social assistance – classes are
free of charge. There is also a discount for senior citizens. For all others, the prices are reasonable for the experience they provide.
Find Your Rhythm
A recommended fitness routine (tried and tested by the author) is this: start your week off gently with some yoga, and move onto the moderately-tense Pilates, which by mid-week will prepare you for the very intense cardio and dance class. End the week with some relaxing yoga. If you are a senior citizen, consider
Tai Chi instead of the cardio class. If you have time, sign up for everything. If time is limiting, pick the one program that works harmoniously with the rhythm of your body. If you are languid in nature, focusing on the meditative aspect of exercise will be pleasurable. If you are an energetic sort, register for a couple of cardio classes and keep those hips rockin’!
Registration for spring / summer 2016 classes will start in will start on the following days:
- Etobicoke York District - March 5 Scarborough District - March 6
- North York District - March 8
- Toronto and East York District - March 9
Spaces run out faster than hot cakes! You can also check the Toronto Parks and Recreation
webpage if you have any questions.
Reviews are based on the yoga, Pilates and cardio classes the author participated in at the Wellesley Community Centre. Experiences may vary according to location and teacher.
