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Days are getting longer, temperatures are rising, and your spring clothes are just waiting to get out of the closet. Time to get in shape for spring!
A bargain way of getting in shape is walking or jogging. If there is no park in your vicinity, maps of local forests can help you get around easily.
Advantage: All you need is time, proper shoes and a love of nature. If you are not the lonely runner, many local communities offer runners’ groups or Volksmarching.
Nordic Walking is still rather low budget. All you need is a set of sticks. To be effective, however, it is recommendable to get some training on how to use them properly. Moving on in the trend sport section, there is cross-skating, powersliding or skiking. These are interesting mixtures of skiing, sliding and skating.
Advantage: Get the full training effect of winter sports even during summer.
If you don’t want to commit to the classic sports like golf or tennis, why not try out something new? Minigolf or cycling trips can be a good way of burning calories. An exciting combination of activity and fun, too, is a trip to one of the high ropes courses near Kaiserslautern and Baumholder.
If you are not the outdoor type, health experts recommend swimming. It is considered a soft but effective way of fitness, especially for people of greater weight. Check out public pools for classes like aqua jogging or just set your own target of laps to swim.
At the SoccaFive Arena in Kaiserslautern, both adults and children can enjoy a fast soccer match for a fee. Also, soccer classes and camps are offered.
The most intensive way of getting into shape is going to the gym regularly. Both on and off post, fitness studios offer classes and personalized programs for this goal. However, this is usually one of the most expensive ways, as most studios ask you to sign up for 12 months minimum. Local community centers may offer aerobics, step aerobics or other fitness classes for less money and time commitment.
Whichever sport you choose, the two most important rules are: Do it regularly, and have fun!
Enjoy springtime!
Check out these helpful websites!
» Jogging/Nordic Walking: Check this interactive map of the Palatine Forest with options for routes, http://alpregio.outdooractive.com/
ar-pfaelzerwald/de/alpregio.jsp#tab=WelcomeTab or www.runmap.net/regional/Germany/Rhineland-Palatinate/Kaiserslautern
» Cycling: Der Fahrradladen (Schusterstraße 3, 66882 Hütschenhausen, www.fahrradladen-dezius.de) or Wheelsports (Zeiselstraße 5, 66919 Weselberg, www.wheelsports.de)
» Minigolf: Next to the public pool Gelterswoog, 67661 Kaiserslautern, www.gelterswoog.de
» Soccer: Sogoon SoccaFive Arena, Am Warmfreibad 3, 67657 Kaiserslautern, www.soccafive.com
» Fitness studios in Kaiserslautern: www.fitnessstudiofinder.de/
studios/Rheinland-Pfalz/Kaiserslautern
» Swimming: monte mare, Mailänder Straße 6, 67657 Kaiserslautern, www.monte-mare.de
» Cross-Skating: www.nordic-skating.info
» Volksmarching: Read “Take a Hike” in the KA every month, or read the Ramstein Roadrunners guide at www.ava.org/clubs/
ramsteinroadrunners/PDF_FILES/NewcomerGuide.pdf
» Runners: For details, e-mail info@fck-running.de (Group Waldlaufparcours) or haussera@web.de (TSG Lauftreff)
