Get Moving Mahomet - Winter Edition

Now that the new year is underway, residents are looking for ways to keep moving, amidst the colder temperatures.

According to Harvard Health, TWO minutes of daily exercise can lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, and even early death. Researchers calculated that exercising vigorously for a total of 15 minutes a week was associated with an 18% lower risk of dying during the study period, and doing 16 minutes weekly was associated with a 16% drop in cancer risk. The risk in all categories dropped even more as the weekly amount increased.

For those without access to a local gym, there are opportunities here in town to get moving.

The MSHS Fieldhouse provides a sheltered option from the cold and is even open for Sunday and evening public access hours on some dates. The monthly schedule is listed and updated on a regular basis. With the exception of non-school days, holidays and weekends, it is open for walkers and joggers daily from 5:30am-7:30am. Fieldhouse hours can be found at ms.k12.il.usàMoreàCommunityàFieldhouse schedule or

https://www.ms.k12.il.us/o/high-school/page/fieldhouse-schedule.

Staff asks that walkers observe the following rules for flow: Walkers should stay in lanes 4,5, & 6, and joggers should use lanes 1 & 2.  Track use should be clockwise on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and counterclockwise on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. The M-S High School Fieldhouse is only open to residents of the M-S CUSD #3, and residents must have an ID ready to present. Adults are allowed one guest. High school students are not allowed to have guests, and junior high students must be accompanied by their parents or another adult.

Are little ones monopolizing most of your time? When weather permits, take the whole family sledding. With decent hill climbs, sledding has cardiovascular benefits, strengthens muscles, burns calories, improves balance, and even boosts mental health. The most popular sled hill is at Lake of the Woods at 109 S. Lake of The Woods Rd. on the east side of park, across from the lake or the Bell Tower Hill, which can be a bit quieter and less crowded and is not as fast. (Note that the main gate closes at 5:00pm.)

WooFun Playhouse on Main Street has opportunities for our youngest residents to burn some energy within their indoor playhouse. Hours and fees can be found at https://woofunplayhouse.my.canva.site/.

For those willing to bundle up and brave the cold, Lake of the Woods offers beautiful hiking trails. Interested in photography? Use a hike as an opportunity to capture photos on your phone of the picturesque scenery or grab a friend to catch up, if you’re not feeling motivated otherwise.

Did you know that Mahomet has a women’s walking club? Follow their page on Facebook at Mahomet-Seymour Women’s Walking Club to check out the next advertised available meet-ups and make the acquaintance of someone new.

Ice skating is a full-body workout, boosting cardiovascular health, balance and agility, and providing stress relief and increased positive mental health. Be sure to check appropriate sources to determine the ice’s thickness. Ice is not considered safe for skating unless it’s solidly frozen at least five inches thick and avoid ice with cracks or ice near inlets or moving water. (Ice is rarely the same thickness across a body of water and can change. Sudden temperature changes can weaken ice, and recent snowfall can obscure potential hazards and can insulate the ice, decrease the freezing process and result in thinner ice areas.) A 15-minute drive to the Ice Arena at U of I is an option for a small fee (under 3 are free) as well. A calendar and hours can be found at https://campusrec.illinois.edu/facilities/ice-arena

Mahomet Parks and Recreation have several options available for a fee. There are POUND classes, which operate on a punch card system, so you’re only utilizing what fits into your schedule. There are also dance fitness classes offered (of varying intensity) and yoga options (also of varying intensity/ability levels). Additionally, they offer adult winter open gym passes and registration for adult coed volleyball leagues as well as indoor winter pickleball leagues. MPRD also has an option for a toddler/homeschool open gym pass available for varying small fees, depending on preference. Visit mahomet.recdesk.com for complete program listings.

If you’re interested in joining a workout facility, Mahomet has several options, including Pulse Pilates, No Limit Fitness, Fitness Premiere, and The Barbell Barn.

A short drive to the Marketplace Mall provides an indoor walking opportunity. Check out the sales while staying warm! Rumor has it that four times around the indoor perimeter is equal to one mile.

Regardless of the calendar year change, we’re a healthier and stronger community when we keep moving year-round. So let’s get moving, Mahomet!