Get fit, have fun and meet the terrific people who enjoy the multitude of fitness programs available at Rend Lake College.
“We have several new and expanding classes plus some returning favorites this fall,” said Dawn Gibson, Community Education Director.
Taking up dancing lessons is an excellent way to get fit and have a great time in the process. Join the festivities at the Rend Lake Resort for “Beginning Ballroom Dancing,” which will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays beginning August 22. Grab a partner and learn the basics of the waltz, rumba, fox trot, jitterbug, polka, swing, cha cha and tango.
No partner required for “Country Style Dancing,” offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at Hoochy’s inside Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon beginning August 24. This fun class is designed for social dancers who want to have fun and feel comfortable on the dance floor. Country-style dancing is an excellent alternative to other, more strenuous forms of physical exercise.
Swimming is an efficient form of exercise and can be loads of fun. For adults who never learned to swim, sign up for lessons held at 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the RLC Aquatics Center.
Water aerobics has been a staple offering of the Aquatics Center, but this fall there will be a new evening section to make the class more accessible. Classes will be offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning August 23.
For the swimmer who enjoys a little competition, try Aquatic Recreational Games, to be held from 6:30 to 8:20 p.m. Wednesdays. Players will compete in water polo, water volleyball and water golf, among other activities.
Rend Lake College has expanded its aerobics offerings this year to include basic aerobics in Benton and Christopher as well as on campus; high- and low-impact aerobics in Dahlgren; and tone aerobics in McLeansboro. High-impact aerobics, step aerobics and yoga will be offered in Pinckneyville. Mt. Vernon’s aerobics offerings will include step, pilates, kickboxing, body sculpting and tai chi.
For those unsure about signing up for a full-semester class, check out these new, short-term classes being offered this fall: Lap Swimming, Body Building and Spinning (group stationary bicycle exercise).
“These are short-term classes which cost less than the full classes. If you decide you like it, you can sign up for the full class,” Gibson said.
Beginning September 8, form a team or just bring yourself for free “Coed Sand Court Volleyball.” Play begins at 7 p.m. each Thursday through October 27 and sessions are open play. Teams will consist of six people and all teams must include at least one male, three males maximum. This free offering is for ages 14 and up. Those who do not have teams will be placed with one.
RLC also is continuing with its arthritis aquatics classes, but has made an effort to make the classes more convenient. This fall, participants can take the class three days per week (Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Monday/Tuesday/Thursday) instead of just two.
The college’s Institute for Learning in Retirement also is getting into shape with “Fitness at 50+,” an introduction to physical activity tailored to meet the needs of students. This is a stretch-and-flex program aimed at improving range of motion and mobility.
“You don’t have to be mobile to do these exercises. Most can be comfortably performed while sitting,” said Gibson.
For more information about any of these offerings or to register, contact the Rend Lake College Community Education Department at (618) 437-5321, Ext. 1267 / 1367, or call toll-free (in-district only) at 1-800-369-5321, Ext. 1267 / 1367.