Grown-up P.E. class has adults reliving childhood

NEWPORT, N.H. — When "spastic ball" starts, it's better to duck first and ask questions later.

This is Old School P.E., a two-hour exercise program strictly for adults, built around grown-up versions of gym class staples. Participants say getting in shape is a bonus to the main attraction — a Friday night out with friends, away from the children.

"From the very beginning, we decided on a very small set of rules because we didn't want it to get that 'league' kind of feel," said co-founder Mike Pettinicchio. "You want to go out, have some fun, be a little competitive, but we all have lives. There are not going to be any scouts in the stands."

In fact, there aren't any stands or bleachers in the Newport Recreation Center, just a narrow bench inches from the action. So when a game of floor hockey or spastic ball (think soccer mixed with basketball) gets going, spectators must stand ready to jump out of the way of a flying stick or ball.

The rules are simple: Spouses or significant others must play on opposing teams. Keeping score is prohibited. The commissioner — a new one is chosen each night — decides which games are played and can alter them as he or she sees fit. Want to play floor hockey with a dodge ball? Go for it. Two balls? The more the merrier.

Following on the success of grown-up dodge ball and kickball leagues, classes like Newport's Old School P.E. or Urban Recess in Portland, Ore., are a way to enjoy childhood activities without all the rules.

Newport recreation director P.J. Lovely, who has been asked to speak about the program at a state conference for recreation officials, says he often has to turn people away when a new eight-week session starts because the gym is too small to accommodate more than about two dozen.

"We're almost a victim of our own success right now," he said.

During the most recent gathering, participants started with a quick warm up session (four sit-ups, three push-ups, two jumping jacks) followed by three games: floor hockey, spastic ball and Ultimate Frisbee. They moved outside for the last activity, stretching out across the picturesque town common for a men vs. women competition.

"It's a way to keep a little bit active, because that's always hard to fit into our schedules as full-time parents and full-time workers," said Deb Gardner of Croydon, N.H.

But she also appreciates the chance to meet new people in a welcoming environment.

"It's not really competitive," she said. "The guys will act kind of serious, but we really just joke and have a good time all night and pick on each other and laugh."

Adult P.E. follows a trend of creative and competitive exercise regimens like boot camps and group fitness challenges.

"We've had Weight Wars here three years in a row," said Amy Sutherlin, manager of HealthPoint fitness in Cape Girardeau. "That is a competitive environment and the camaraderie they develop with their trainers and with their teammates, that goes a long way to increase their physical activity levels."

Sutherlin said she and the trainers are constantly looking for new or different ways to get people moving.

"Anytime we can come up with classes that have a wow factor with them then I think it's a win-win situation," she said.

HealthPoint is starting a line dancing class in the fall and Sutherlin said the music in current classes really takes the mind off the body. Fitness Plus has boot camps, a co-ed dodge ball league and Navy Seals H2O training for those who may get bored on equipment, though new additions to the stationary equipment should provide entertainment.

"We recently purchased two new Expresso Fitness Bikes," said Darren Harris, health and fitness coordinator at Fitness Plus in Cape Girardeau. "Each bike has a TV monitor with 30 different courses to race on. You can even race the person next to you."

The social interaction and break in the monotony of running in a circle help keep working out from becoming work.

"Creating fun and new ways to ways to exercise is a great way to stay motivated," Harris said. "By changing your everyday routine we have found that members are more likely to accomplish their goals and stay motivated."

At Old School P.E., there are some concessions made for age, says Pettinicchio, who vetoed one commissioner's plan to play Red Rover because "we felt pulling shoulders out of bodies at 35 or 40 years of age is not a good thing."

He also offers a warning to newcomers.

"One of the things we try to stress is, it's probably been 15 to 20 years since you stepped on a gym floor," he said. "Saturday is probably going to be OK, but Sunday may be very difficult. Some people can't get out of bed until Monday."

Southeast Missourian features editor Chris Harris contributed to this report.