Out & About

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Don’t let the end of summer and the start of chilly weather keep you out of the swimming pool. Take a plunge into water aerobics, a physical activity that gets you into shape and into the pool.

Water aerobics is a year-round activity for the Downers Grove Park District. The park district recently started its fall season water aerobics, but its winter season sessions, open to adults, begins mid-January.

Michelle Ochs, recreation supervisor for aquatics at the Downers Grove Park District, says the resistance of the water is what sets water aerobics apart from land aerobics. “It’s a little bit easier on the body because you still get that intensity, but there’s not as much pounding,” she says. “The resistance of the water builds strength.”

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It’s the holiday shopping season. And while many people have shopping for that perfect gift for a loved one on their minds, it’s important for one to remain aware of their surroundings while out shopping and be prepared in the event of a possible mugging.

Geoff Goodwin of Chicago wants to educate individuals on ways to fight back if attacked with a free self-defense class on Nov. 14 at the Northwest Athletic Club in Itasca. Goodwin, an eighth-degree black belt, currently teaches a couple of forms of martial arts at the club as a member of Juko-Kai International, one of the oldest martial arts organizations in the United States.

“You can’t just get away from someone,” Goodwin says. “You want to change their intent.” The class will feature very easy to remember techniques to escape from your assailant and ways to prevent one’s self from becoming a victim.

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Dick Pond Athletics created the 35-member Dick Pond Saucony Racing Team in 2003 as a competitive component for runners. But the athletics store has not left out the leisure runners with its weekly fun runs through the suburbs and their Walk To Run Program.

Matt Wilhite, the team manager of the Dick Pond Saucony Racing Team, says running can lead to a healthier and happier lifestyle, whether running with a group or as a solo venture.

“For me, particularly, the biggest thing about running is that it’s all inclusive,” Wilhite says. “You don’t need to belong to a gym or belong to a club to run. You can run wherever.”

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Luckily, qigong, an ancient Chinese meditative practice, is easier to do than say because performing the practice is said to have its healthy rewards. 

Qigong (pronounced chee-kung), or sometimes Qi Gong, is a 6,000 year old Chinese self-healing art that combines movement and meditation and is said to prevent and treat illness, reduce stress through establishing a balance and integrate the mind, body and spirit, according to the Qigong Association of America Web site.

Master Joseph Dodaro of St. Charles performing a qigong move. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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What if there was a way to work out your full body, while dancing to Latin and international music and not even realize you’re burning calories?

Well, there is -- Zumba. Zumba is a fitness craze that fuses fast and slow Latin rhythmic dance moves into a fitness course that tones and sculpts a person’s body and burn fat. “And the best part about it is that it’s fun,” says Woodridge Park District Zumba instructor Mariela Mendoza of Woodridge. “It’s like a dance party more than an exercise class.”

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In rock climbing, it’s one of the most important and difficult lessons you learn: Don’t look down.

It’s tempting to glance back to gauge how far you’ve come, but reaching the top requires the fortitude to continue climbing ahead.

Learning to rock climb at various safe climbing facilities in the suburbs can help build confidence and strength to make it to the top.

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Sword fighting looks effortless in the movies. But if you knew what move your opponent was going to make with every swish of his or her sword, then yeah — it would be easy.

Take a step out of fiction and become a suburban swashbuckler with a lesson in true-to-form fencing.

Tracy Lapshin of Lombard teaches fencing with her husband, Vladimir, who trained 13 years under Soviet Fencing Instruction. The duo provides a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for fencers of all ages through their Fencing Sports Club.

“I didn’t think it could be physical exercise,” Lapshin says of her initial reaction to the sport, but “it’s a good workout.” Not only does it strengthen the arms and legs, it also builds coordination, stamina and agility.

“It’s absolutely fun and interesting, and (the sport) is always wanting you to improve,” she says.

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Members of the Chicago Underwater Hockey Club have come to expect the bewildered looks they receive when people hear about their pastime. Many are unaware that underwater hockey is actually a sport played in pools across the U.S. and Canada.

“Typically, people just think it’s nuts ... but they’re interested,” says Ben Tolsky, a member of the club.

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Look — up in the air! It’s a toy! It’s a game! No, it’s a model radio-controlled airplane!

Numerous R/C planes can be seen gliding through the air throughout the suburbs on warm summer days, and there are plenty of opportunities for you to add to the air traffic.

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John Wayne and the Wild West may be first things to come to mind when you think of horseback riding, but you too can ride off into the sunset without leaving the suburbs.

It’s an activity that can be done by almost anyone, but learning to take control of the reins takes time, says Sue Buhle, manager of Arabian Knights Farms in Willowbrook.