2. Start Slowly: If you haven’t been active in a while, first checkwith your doctor to see if you are ok to start exercising. Once youare cleared, build up your exercise program steadily, challengingyourself more and more each time.3. Use Large Muscle Groups: Perform any functional movementthat focuses on multiple muscle groups. Properly executed squatsand push-ups can challenge <strong>the</strong> entire upper and lower body. Onesimple exercise is simply sitting down in a chair and getting backup, focusing on pushing your weight through your heels. Whenseated, extend one of your legs and point your toes. Do that forabout fifteen times and <strong>the</strong>n switch legs.4. Warm Up and Cool Down: Warming up and cooling down areextremely important, especially in <strong>the</strong> mature population. A properdynamic warm-up is done to raise <strong>the</strong> core body temperature andincrease blood (oxygen) flow to your muscles to prepare your bodyfor physical activity. If you exercise cold, it’s like trying to stretch arubber band that has been in <strong>the</strong> freezer.A proper cool down is important after you’ve reached your targettraining heart rate to recover gently. The main reason that you are“cooling down” is to slowly reduce your pulse so that you canreturn blood from your muscles to your heart in sufficient quantitiesto rid <strong>the</strong> muscles of lactic acid (<strong>the</strong> chemical produced during training).Stopping a workout suddenly lets <strong>the</strong> lactic acid pool in <strong>the</strong>muscles, leaving your sore longer and potentially prolonging <strong>the</strong>next time you exercise.Additional Information:A wellness-based chiropractor can help you customize a healthy eating plan, exerciseregime, and correct dangerous misalignments in your spine that are causing pain anddysfunction in your body.Dr. Joey Gaglioti is a Corrective Care Doctor of Chiropractic, health and wellnessenthusiast, nutrition guru and <strong>the</strong> owner of Trinity Chiropractic inChadds Ford, PA. Dr. Gaglioti focuses on an area of Chiropractic calledstructural correction and incorporates a full circle approach to healthdesigned for each individual. It is Dr. Gaglioti’s goal to Inspire and lead o<strong>the</strong>rsto live healthier, more proactive lives by means of a natural, holisticapproach. For more information visit Dr. Gaglioti on <strong>the</strong> webat:www.chaddsfordchiropractor.com. Facial with FreeParaffin Treatmentfor $140Expires 10-31-13.1 Hour Massagefor $65Expires 10-31-13.~ Gift Certificates Available ~16 I <strong>PhillyFIT</strong> May/June I 267-767-4205 I www.phillyfit.com
PhysicallyFITOrienteeringGive Your Brain a Workout Too!Map, Compass, and epunch forelectronic scoring.By Kathy UrbanImagine walking or running in <strong>the</strong> woods. Armed with a map,compass, and your wits, you find your way through unknownterrain. You scan <strong>the</strong> woods for a boulder, a pit, a trail turning.Searching for orange and white flags in <strong>the</strong> forest. Navigatingyour way along trails and streams, across meadows and throughwoods, you feel totally connected with your surroundings. Yousense, ra<strong>the</strong>r than see, o<strong>the</strong>r competitors around you. You areorienteering.Orienteering is <strong>the</strong> “thinking sport”, and can be enjoyed bythose of any age or fitness level. You can go out alone, or ingroups. Want to try orienteering for <strong>the</strong> first time? TheDelaware Valley Orienteering Association (DVOA) puts onevents almost every weekend. There is a range of courses foreveryone – beginners can try a White or Yellow course, and aclub member will give you some instruction before you headout. The cost is modest – non-members can go out for aboutten dollars, and that includes a beautiful detailed map of <strong>the</strong>park with <strong>the</strong> controls and a clue sheet. You get to keep <strong>the</strong>map.The Delaware Valley has beautiful parks, woodlands, forestsand gamelands. French Creek State Park is <strong>the</strong> home ofAmerican Orienteering, and hosts several events each year, butDVOA has maps on hand for New Jersey, Delaware and EasternPennsylvania.For a schedule of events and lots of information about orienteeringin <strong>the</strong> Delaware Valley, check out DVOA’s website,www.DVOA.org. Their websitesays “All Welcome”, and <strong>the</strong>ymean it!A runner finishing a sprint oncampus at TylerA control at Norristown Farm ParkIf you decide you love <strong>the</strong> challenge of off-trail navigating andrunning, you can begin to compete with world class runners.Some DVOA members are elite runners who travel all over <strong>the</strong>planet to compete with <strong>the</strong> best in <strong>the</strong> world on <strong>the</strong>ir turf.O<strong>the</strong>rs are weekend warriors who put on <strong>the</strong>ir shoes and clubshirts every Sunday. Age and gender classes and electronic timingfor splits mean you can compete with your peers and comparesplits after every event. Even <strong>the</strong> worst run can have somebright moments, and <strong>the</strong>y keep you going!Courses can be White, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Green, Red andBlue, with White being on <strong>the</strong> trail, with simple navigation. Foryour first time out, try White or Yellow. You can always comeback and try a more advanced course. Red and Blue courses arevery challenging. They are quite long, and require <strong>the</strong> ability tobe one with <strong>the</strong> map. You have to read contours and featuresand make decisions on <strong>the</strong> fly.Because finding a control on most courses requires some offroading,long pants are strongly suggested. You’ll want to wearyour favorite hiking shoes. Insect repellent is not a bad idea,ei<strong>the</strong>r. Club members can fill you in on <strong>the</strong> traditional “tickcheck” routine. Orienteering, by <strong>the</strong> way, is rain or shine.May/June I 267-767-4205 I www.phillyfit.com<strong>PhillyFIT</strong> I 17