KEEPING FIT INDOORS WHEN ITS COLD OUTDOORS

When the winds are wailing and the snowflakes are blowing, many exercisers become couch potatoes. Cold winter weather should not deter one from exercising and keeping fit.

Numerous options are available to people who prefer to remain fit during the holidays and the dreary months of January and February. These include walking on indoor tracks or the mall, swimming, working out at fitness centers and exercising at home.

Judy Cureton, who bicycles in nice weather, prefers to ride rollers in inclement weather. A bicycle is balanced on rollers. The rider has to learn to balance the bicycle on the rollers, which is difficult. A gyroscopic effect is created, which causes the bicycle to move side to side from under the bicyclist unless he learns to control it.

"I enjoy the exercise and it gives me a way to keep fit during the winter," Cureton said. "I turn my stereo up, turn on a football game with the sound down, and put a magazine on the rack on the handlebars. While I am doing that I am balancing the bike on the rollers."

Once a week Cureton fences, which is also good exercise.

Doug Gannon, aquatic coordinator at Central Municipal Pool on Whitener Street, says the number of participants at the facility increases as the weather gets colder.

"Water is excellent for exercise," he said. "Some people think that if they don't swim, they should not go to the pool. Being a lap swimmer is not necessary to get excellent exercise in a pool. Age is not a factor. We have young kids and 80-year-old adults."

The indoor facility features a 25-yard-by-50-meter Olympic size pool. Water temperature is held between 82 and 84 degrees. Air temperature is about 85 degrees.

A popular class at the pool is aquatic aerobics. These aerobic classes provide an excellent opportunity for participants to lose weight and get in shape. Three levels of classes are offered including Swimnastics, Aqua Aerobics Level I and Level II.

For those not interested in aquatic aerobics, times for recreational swimming and adult lap swimming are set aside. The adult lap swimming time period is for people 18 or older. Gannon stressed that one is not required to be a lap swimmer to participate in this time period and that when one is in the pool doing any kind of activity, he is participating in fitness.

Many participants use the facility to perform activities that alleviate arthritic pain.

"Some persons claim that before using the pool they could not walk, due to arthritic conditions," Gannon said. "Swimming improves their mobility."

Michelle Doughten, fitness director at Universal Physique Fitness Center, said winter is the busiest time of the year at the facility. "We start getting busy when the time changes because it gets dark so early," she said. "Right after Christmas, when everyone makes his New Year's resolutions, we are really busy."

More than 40 classes a week are offered at the center. The most popular class is Step, which may be taken by both the beginner and the advanced athlete. A Reebok adjustable platform is used with various leg and arm patterns. This class produces results for the lower body and it is also motivational.

Cardio-funk is a fun class. Street, dance and club moves are incorporated into a workout to give the body and mind a new kind of work out.

Many people enjoy P.A.C.E. (Progressive Aerobic Circuit Exercise) because of the time convenience. The 30-minute workout combines aerobics and strength training into one session.

Trainers are available at the fitness center to help one achieve his goals. The trainer, who is available as often as one needs help, designs programs to target the needs of the participant.

Doughten says one should exercise to feel better and have more energy. People exercise for health reasons and to reduce stress. Many exercise because they are dissatisfied with their appearance and want to change. "The hardest part is walking out your own front door," she said.

The individual has to find fitness his own way. He does not have to be a marathon runner, jog through rain and snow, join a club, be able to swim, or look good in shorts and a T-shirt. The key is for each person to find the way that is most enjoyable for him.

Keeping fit has many benefits. It makes life more enjoyable because you feel good. It helps maintain weight Many people exercise just to keep slim.

Routine, vigorous exercise is one of the best ways known to reduce stress. Exercise has been shown to cure moderate depression.

Regular exercise strengthens the heart and lungs, therefore decreasing the likelihood of heart attacks, heart disease or high blood pressure.

Regular exercise helps the body keep the bones hard and the joints lubricated, which protects against arthritis. With exercise, the muscles stay supple and flexible.

According to The Center for Corporate Health Promotion, you can consider yourself physically fit when your weight is in the normal range, you are happy with the way you look, you feel calm and relaxed and sleep well, and you have enough energy for the things you want to do.