It’s nearly one month into 2022 — a time when some who set the goal of being more physically active in the new year may be trying to decide what steps to take to move toward that aim, and others may be struggling to continue making progress.

Fortunately, there are options available for locals who are unsure of how to proceed.

From turning on a live or recorded workout video, to taking part in a fitness class, to hitting the gym or the disc golf course at Twining Park, community members have choices. 

Setting aside some time during the day to get moving is a key first step to better physical fitness this year, said Heather Chojnacki, owner of Brodhead Health & Fitness. That might mean taking a 30-minute walk on the treadmill to begin with and working up slowly from there.

Regardless of what type of physical activity appeals to a person, “the hardest step (toward getting more physically fit) is that first one,” said Aric Barnard, a second-grade teacher by day who also runs Elite Tae Kwon Do in Monroe. 

Whether it is martial arts or swimming or dancing or something else entirely that inspires a person to move, “You have to give it a good test,” Barnard advised. “You just have to keep your head down and stay focused on it and be committed to it.”

The results will eventually speak for themselves, but to get to that point, it is important to create an enjoyable fitness routine — one that’s easy enough to stick to. 

“You’ve just got to be brave” enough to try new things, even if that means stepping outside of your comfort zone sometimes, Barnard said. 

Getting involved in a group fitness class is beneficial, in part, because it gives participants the chance to learn from a trained instructor how to properly do whichever new exercises they may be trying out, said Luke Smetters, membership & community engagement director for the Green County Family YMCA.

“What we’ve heard from people who participate (in group fitness activities) … is that group motivation is a real thing…” added Matt Skibba, Monroe’s recreation supervisor. “Knowing that their friends or classmates are going to be there keeps them accountable, but also kind of becomes a small little community and keeps them motivated to attend and see their friends.”

Along with there being a Wellness Center stocked with workout equipment at the senior center in Monroe open to members on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., the city’s recreation department offers activities such as year-round adult pickleball, a karate program, adult fitness classes, and senior fitness sessions with focuses ranging from Zumba to yoga, to motion for those with limited mobility, to strength- and cardiovascular endurance-building. 

Those who call the recreation department office at 608-329-2460 may request to try or observe a class for free before officially signing up, Skibba said, so they can feel comfortable that it will be a good fit. 

The YMCA also hosts group exercise classes for adults, along with providing athletic opportunities for youth, Smetters said. 

There are some scholarship opportunities within the YMCA for those in need of financial assistance, Smetters said, and there are also special discounts and rates available through the end of this month. 

Some of the YMCA classes are pool-based, and others take place in its fitness center, which has cardio and weight training equipment that members can access 24 /7.

The YMCA recently added a kickboxing class, Smetters said, and they have another course specifically geared toward seniors that focuses on range of motion, stability and balance.

Brodhead Health & Fitness also offers a popular 55-And-Fit class, said Chojnacki. The members get some motion in for 30 minutes and then grab coffee afterwards. 

The center added a yoga class taught by a local mom this month, which has been well-attended so far, Chojnacki added. 

“We have a little bit of everything here,” she said — from equipment like treadmills, ellipticals and free weights available to members 24 /7 — to a variety of classes held in the aerobics room there. Those range from cardio-centric offerings, to tumbling classes for kids and some tae kwon do instruction.

At Elite Tae Kwon Do, classes are available for students of all ages. Barnard has had students ranging from ages roughly 4-68, he said. He offers point fighting and weapons classes and more.

“The best part about martial arts is you can differentiate the instruction to meet everybody’s needs exactly where they’re at,” and as a professional teacher, providing that kind of individualized instruction comes naturally to him, he said. 

“I think it’s a great way to become physically fit and exercise,” Barnard added, commenting that tae kwon do is one option for getting in a cardiovascular-intense, full body workout. “A big part of what I believe in with being physical is if we don’t keep moving, we stop moving.” 

To those who have already started an exercise regime — whether it be martial arts-based or something else completely — who have hit a lull and are unsure of how to stay motivated to keep moving and continue down the path toward better physical fitness, Smetters’s advice is to “try something different” — whether that be a new activity or working out at a different time of day. 

As 2022 continues, it is important to remember to continue making time to get active and be healthy since “you cannot take care of other people until you start taking care of yourself,” Chojnacki said. Physical health is “not just about the way you look. It’s about being strong mentally and physically.”