Time for your body to make a comeback

A new year means new fitness goals for many Winter Park and Maitland residents – and the cities’ parks and recreation departments are ready to give everyone the motivation they need to start them off right.

Winter Park starts the year up with parks and rec’s year-round programs, including the fitness facility that’s open seven days a week, Zumba, Tai Chi, Pilates, yoga and Kick Start Boot Camp, a supervised full-body workout session every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6 and 9:30 a.m.

Sports leagues starting up early this year include men’s flag football starting Jan. 26 after registration ends on Jan. 9, and men’s basketball on Feb. 6 with registration ending on Jan. 31.

Parks and recreation tries to offer as many different programs as possible to residents and visitors – and at a reasonable price, Director John Holland said.

“We offer fitness programs that you could probably find somewhere else, but you’re probably going to pay a whole lot of money for it,” Holland said.

Parks and recreation may be one of the best places to start when it comes to a New Year’s resolution, Winter Park Recreation Chief Jason Seeley said. The open nature of the classes and programs gives residents a chance to jump right in without making any serious commitments. All they need is an annual pass.

“A big part of parks and recreation is health and community and general wellness and having a place to come and do that kind of recreation at an affordable price,” Seeley said. “They may be intimidated by going into a big-box gym and signing a contract and all of that. We give them an entry into fitness to make that New Year’s resolution or make that lifestyle change happen.”

City programs not only gives residents a chance to save some money, but also a chance to meet with friends and make new ones right within their own community, Seeley said.

“The people come and they’re steady,” Seeley said. “I think it’s more about the community when you come here – not just to work out, but be social.”

Maitland’s year-round group tennis lessons will continue through the start of 2014, with youth lessons starting at 4 p.m. and adult lessons starting at either 6 or 7 p.m. depending on the group size from Monday through Friday.

Their parks and recreation department will be pushing Top Bodies Fitness classes starting up in late January, which will range from body sculpting courses and boot camp to aerobics and stretching for beginners. Days and times will be released earlier that month. Stay tuned to itsmymaitland.com for details.

Maitland’s adult basketball open gym sessions at Maitland Middle School will also give residents a chance to work out while shooting some hoops every Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Winter Park’s Boot Camp instructor Lissa Adams sees the cycle start over every January, when residents come to her class to form new workout habits and get fit.

“Toward the end of January and February is when we see an explosion of new faces; people with high expectations for themselves and goals,” said Adams, who’s been teaching fitness for 30 years.

“The biggest reward for me as an instructor and a trainer is to see that light bulb click on with these people that are coming in for maybe the first time and don’t have a lot of confidence, and seeing them walk back in the door again … that’s just the most awesome, rewarding feeling in the world.”