Summer has arrived and, with the new year just around the corner, there will be plenty of Rotorua residents wanting to shape up in time for the warmer weather and 2012. It seems there are many options for people whether they're a gym bunny, prefer the outdoors or want something social to do. The Daily Post reporter Kristin Macfarlane looks at the variety of ways you can lose weight and get fit in Rotorua for summer
11) Short, sharp bursts
Sprint running is hard work and gets you results. Sprinting can also be a good option for someone who doesn't have a lot of time to spend working out as they are shorter than long jogs and are reported to speed up metabolism for longer than jogging. Sprinting is a great tool to help in fat loss, reduce stress and increase your metabolic rate. It can also help sculpt muscles.
12) Howzat!
Backyard cricket is a fun and real Kiwi way to exercise this summer. All you need is a team (or a group of friends and family), a cricket set and a decent amount of space to run around and chase the ball. It's a good way to exercise as a family and can be done at home, at the beach or bach or even at a nearby park.
13) Keep your balance
Eat well, set a goal and stick to it. If you're exercising in a bid to lose weight, make sure you eat a well-balanced healthy diet. There is no point exercising well and then eating badly. Make sure you mix your healthy eating with your exercise and fitness programmes, and set a goal to help you achieve.
14) Healthy competition
Start a friendly weight-loss competition with friends. If you're not the type of person who wants to join a class or a gym but want enjoy a bit of competitiveness to help your motivation, why not get together with friends and family members who want to lose weight and tone up this summer, set a deadline, a prize and start your workout.
15) Home workout
Hire fitness equipment. If you are the kind of person who doesn't like to work out in public and would prefer to do it at home, you are able to hire fitness equipment for different time periods. The benefit of having equipment at home includes being able to work out when you want and for as long as you want. You can fit workouts around your home life. Elite Fitness has a Rotorua branch where you can hire equipment.
16) Join the club
With clubs like the Lake City Athletic Club, Rotorua residents can enjoy walking, running, jumping and throwing with people of similar abilities. Clubs cater for everyone from the overweight beginner to the serious athlete. Being part of an athletics club gives you the chance to regularly meet other people with similar interests, get fitter and possibly lose fat.
17) Get your kicks
Muay-Thai is a high-impact combat sport that works all parts of the body. While local gyms provide aerobic-styled kickboxing classes, you can also join a club such as Ngakaunui Thai Kickboxing Gym, which is a club that has its own Facebook page, to take part in fitness classes to improve health and learn technique or eventually fight if you choose to.
18) Stretch it out
Pilates is a world-famous fitness method. In Rotorua, people wanting to give it a go have a few options to consider. Pilates is offered at Pilates Focus in Eruera St, Rotorua, with training to suit everyone in posture, strength and flexibility or there are Pilates at QE Health classes instructed by a physiotherapist and kept to a maximum of 12. If you've wanted to give Pilates a go, one of these classes will help.
19) Wheely good workout
Cycling is a good way to improve health and fitness by improving muscle tone, body weight, body fat and more. If you want to give cycling a go in a fun environment why not try a bunch ride hosted by the Rotorua Association of Triathletes. The rides involve a group of people with distances varying from 50km to 180km often with a coffee stop along the way.
20) Footy fitness
Join a soccer team in Rotorua and have some fun keeping fit and learning skills while improving health, strength and endurance. It is ideal for players of all ages. The nature of the game means players may be sprinting, running fast or slow and sometimes may be standing around. It is great cardiovascular exercise. For club information, visit the website www.waibopfootball.co.nz.