Water aerobics is a great way to condition and get your heart pumping without all the stress and strain of a work-out on land. Grab a friend and make up your own fun routine or participate in a local “Y” or gym program. There are different levels of difficulty available. Some classes are deep water only and others keep you in the shallow end. Other than a bathing suit and towel, not much else is needed besides the pool for this type of exercise.
THE BENEFITS OF WALKING DURING THE WORKDAY
I am a student seeking a graduate certificate in the Hinkle Academy for Wellness and Sport Leadership and am currently working on my final capstone project. As a Butler University alumni and current staff member, I have identified a key area where our organization can make impactful strides. I recognize a need for greater focus on wellness during the workday and hope that my initiative will inspire others to leave their desks during a break to feed their mind, body and spirit.
I came across a study early in the year that alarmed me – in a positive way. Did you know that workers who exercised at least 30 minutes throughout the work day reported an average performance boost of 15%? This study, performed by the American College of Sports Medicine, found that of those employees, 60% said when they exercised they felt their time management skills, mental performance and ability to meet deadlines improved (Stenson, 2005). Plus, the employees who participated in the study also said they were less likely to succumb to post-lunch energy dips if they exercised earlier in the day.
My idea was to focus on one form of exercise that I already see staff and faculty doing on campus. I recently completed a survey to learn more about our community’s walking habits. Here were my survey results at-a-glance:
You can find more details and project notes here.
What was concerning was that 20% walk only outdoors. What do they do when the weather does not cooperate? Do they still get their daily exercise in?
As a result of my project, I created indoor walking maps that can be found at this link. These maps were designed to fit your needs as an employee and are each inspired by each pillar of the Butler Way.
So let me ask you a few questions. What do you do during the workday to stay focused and to help you gain more energy? While we all love a quick caffeine fix, I urge you to consider getting at least one short walk in during the workday. Not only can this support healthy work habits, it can increase your endurance and help you build relationships at work – this is the cornerstone of the Butler Way.
Molly Martz – Guest Contributor
Stenson, J. (2005, November 12). Exercise May Make You a Better Worker. Retrieved May 13, 2016, from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8160459/ns/health-fitness/t/exercise-may-make-you-better-worker/#.V4YsC9IrKCh
This past week I noticed a Facebook posting from a friend back in Fort Collins, Colorado. This busy mother of six young children was a participant in something called a “mudder”, or an obstacle course run over some miles involving mud and all manner of climbs, scrambles, crawls and so forth. Pictures were included. Apparently she and her husband trade off in child-care and do these occasionally, otherwise doing more mundane lower-intensity work-outs. During this big challenge experience, you could see the joy in her face lighting up all in her vicinity.
If you are feeling adventurous and wanting to ramp up your work-outs, perhaps it is time to participate in an event that brings on the “tion” – inspiration, perspiration, respiration and expectation for a fun time. Below are links to upcoming events in the area such as mudders, triathlons, and so forth. I hope you enjoy the journey you embark on.
http://www.tuxbro.com/entry-info/SprintTri/SprintTri-EventInfo.php
http://www.mudrunguide.com/directory/usa/indiana-IN/
How to Live a Heart Healthier Lifestyle 
Link to Indoor Climbing in Indianapolis and the Surrounding Area:
http://www.indoorclimbing.com/indiana.html
“I don’t want to write about climbing; I don’t want talk about it; I don’t want to photograph it; I don’t want to think about it; all I want to do is do it.” — Chuck Pratt
We run this city! Maybe you are an out of town guest that is “in training” and are looking for help planning & navigating a workout or two. Or perhaps you just like to get out and see the city in a “close up and personal” way you’ve not experienced it before. You’ve come to the right place!
Pricing for these personalized tours is based on route and pace you are looking for but most tours are $20-35. You won’t find them on our tour calendar because we custom schedule it just for you!
Below is one of our most popular loop sightseeing loops – check it out!
![IN-Dunes-Trail-05-11[1]](http://blogs.butler.edu/healthyhorizons/files/2016/05/IN-Dunes-Trail-05-111.jpg)
Whether you are looking for hiking, biking, horseback or motorized trails in Indiana, the link below will provide you much needed information regarding public access to many trails. For the link to all kinds of hiking, check below the fun kid’s video offering you a little giggle today.
http://indnr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=332ed3e954974914b26284525ecb1068
GET ON BOARD
Difficulty: Easy (arms, core)
If you’ve been to the beach lately, you’ve seen—and probably tried—stand-up paddle-boarding. The sport has grown to the point of having its own magazine and competitions, but in its purest form it’s still mainly a joyride on the water with the sneaky benefits of exercise. Balancing on a board a little longer than a surfer’s works the core, and paddling tones arms. Lacking an undercurrent, Eagle Creek on a calm day makes for better paddle-boarding than does the choppy ocean, as second-generation boat-maker Anna Greeley found out when she built her own SUP to haul supplies to a vessel she was fixing up. Then she started paddling to her class at Eagle Creek’s waterfront yoga center. It was too much fun to keep to herself, so she crafted a fleet of seven boards (prettier than any you’ll rent at a hotel, with palm-print fabric decoupaged to the nose and a no-slip pad) and began leading PADDLEBOARD TOURS on Saturdays. A two-hour cruise starts at the Rick’s Boatyard launch and heads north, past the causeway, hugging the tree-line for shade in high summer. It’s a workout but not a fitness class, so the group tends to take it easy and soak up the scenery. Ducks approach the boards, and it’s common to spot heron and turtles. Bungee cords on each ride will hold a cooler and a bag (for a camera and towel, perhaps)—and still leave plenty of room to lie down at times and simply float along through nature’s gym. $40. Paddleboard Yoga-works, 317-281-8760, launch at 4050 Dandy Trail.
http://paddleboardyogaworks.com/
Tip: Feeling wobbly? Squat, kneel, or sit while you paddle—it’s easier to balance with a low center of gravity.
Don’t Try This If: You can’t swim. Lifejackets are provided, and chances are you won’t fall in, but your fear might overshadow the fun.
What to Wear: Quick-drying clothes, and a swimsuit underneath if you want to take a dip.
Strike a Pose: Greeley also offers paddleboard yoga on Thursday and Saturday evenings.
