Times & Transcript - Bellyfit Keeps you movin’ and groovin’
Even though I've never had a major weight problem, my middle years seem to be challenging my middle and the bikini days seem to be slipping away.
I'm hardly alone.
Recent studies have shown that most Canadians are in need of more belly fitness, with bigger waistlines being linked to all sorts of health problems, from dementia and heart disease to asthma and breast cancer.
In my personal effort to battle the bulge, I've posted an oversized calendar on my office wall, one dedicated solely to exercise. (Some people keep a fitness log; I need more of an "in your face" incentive!)
I'm only four days in but am finding the calendar to be a great motivator, giving me a sense of accomplishment when I glance at what workout I did the previous day, encouraging me not to leave the coming day blank.
Also spurring on my desire to tummy tone was a recent call from Jeanette Pearson, owner and operator of Baladi Fitness in Moncton. She invited me to one of her Bellyfit classes.
"What a great name for a workout!" I thought after hanging up. Who doesn't want a fit belly?
Bellyfit is what Jeanette describes as a fusion fitness experience for women. The one-hour group classes (maximum of nine ladies per session) offer a full-body workout with ample variety, a plus if you hate repetitive routines.
Before the class, Jeanette told me that in the first half hour, I'd burn calories and relieve stress with fun, easy-to-learn cardio moves infused with the fundamentals of belly dance and other dance elements. One of those "other" elements would be some "Bollywood" moves similar to dance steps popularized in recent Indian films.
In the class's second half, I'd be sculpting and tightening with Pilates-type core work and yoga-ish stretches, Jeanette said.
The original concept of Bellyfit was brought to fruition by Canadian dancer and entrepreneur Alice Bracegirdle but is apparently being continuously expanded.
"Bellyfit is designed to connect you to the deep, primal feminine within while helping you find
strength to deal with modern day stress," said Jeanette.
When I arrived to try Bellyfit at Baladi Fitness, located next to Fit for Her in Wedgewood Centre (1201 Mountain Rd.), I understood why the sessions are capped at nine. The studio is small, even cozier the night I visited since Jeanette was offering a free class. I gathered with a group of 12 and found a wee spot at the back of the room.
With enviable muscle tone and a very trim mid-section, Jeanette took the floor and gave a little intro info. She warned us not to be too concerned about getting all the right moves immediately since it takes a few weeks to learn routines. (In my unco-ordinated case, usually longer.)
Before starting the aerobic part of the program, Jeanette emphasized the need for women to bring more awareness to their pelvic floor area and encouraged us to frequently do pelvic tilt exercises. These involve tightening the abdominal muscles and squeezing the buttocks in order to press the small of the lower back into the floor and tilt the pelvis into a "neutral" position.
(A weak pelvic floor can lead to incontinence and other issues for women but research has shown that regular exercise can build those floor muscles.)
After our pelvic chat, the cardio portion of Bellyfit began. We did a series of moves reminiscent of a typical aerobics class but, as Jeanette had promised, livened up with belly dance, Bollywood and other dance styles.
Accompanied by a dynamic mix of music, we progressed through exercises ranging from leg lunges with undulating "snake arms" and a move involving a "shoulder shimmy" to a series of leg "kick backs" and a cool "Bolly hop" sequence.
By the time we hit the squats, everyone seemed to have worked up a good sweat. That continued as we followed Jeanette into "pelvic circles", those hip-swaying, front-right-back-left movements that seem harder than they look (at least to your warrior, who - coincidentally - also struggles with hula-hooping.)
Jeanette then dimmed the lights and led us through a few basic yoga moves, including the Cobra, while still incorporating an interesting shimmy here and there.
I thought we were done but then came the planks, those push-up-like manoeuvres in which you keep your body in a straight line. They're great to strengthen the arms and spine but hurt like heck when you haven't done them in many moons.
After that core-burning segment, Jeanette led us through some final sitting-position stretches. Participants finished by giving her a rousing round of applause and grabbing schedules for upcoming classes.
Jeanette teaches a 9 a.m. Saturday session of Bellyfit, with others - taught by Julie Albert - offered at Baladi on Monday and Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. You can buy a punch card for the weeknight classes ($80 for eight sessions, $90 for 12 or $150 for 20). The Saturday class has a $10 drop-in fee.
I'd give Bellyfit an eight of 10 on my Fun Factor scale, an 8.5 if there was a bit more wiggle room.
The class reminded me of the fun I'd had at an all-women Zumba workout last fall. Though I have no problem exercising with guys, sometimes it's nice to let loose with the gals (especially when discussion meanders to the topic of female body parts!)
I liked Bellyfit's blend of dance elements spanning the globe and can see how the workout is a celebration of women's bodies and spirit.
And there's no question that it's a good workout: a 7.5 out of 10 on my Sweat-o-meter.
There are tons of body benefits. Along with lots of cardio, Bellyfit can help you build a stronger core, improve your flexibility and balance, and no doubt help you on the path to awesome abs. Woohoo!
Of course, there are the mind and spirit perks too. It's a super way to reduce stress and feel energized!
For more information on the classes, visit www.baladifitness.com or for further details on the Bellyfit concept, check out www.bellyfit.ca.
* Cathy Donaldson is a writer and non-jock living in Moncton. Her column appears weekly in Life & Times. Send your Workout Warrior fitness suggestions or comments to ckdonald@nbnet.nb.ca. (Remember to consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.)