Mom will get buff at As One.

As One

www.as1effect.com

Bring mom to any class this Thursday for free — and it doesn’t have to be your mom, any mom will do! As One’s bootcamp-like classes are usually pretty tough, but they swear that the classes are adaptable for all fitness. Email keith@as1effect.com to sign up. Mom will also leave with a gift bag and a free week of classes.1effect.com

Planet Fitness

www.planetfitness.com

Every 2.3 minutes, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer. Do your part to help eradicate the disease — sign up for a PF membership between May 8 and 15^th and the $10 enrollment fee will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (after that, it’s just $10 a month for you). While you’re there, nominate the lady in your life as the Best Mom on the Planet for a shot at a year-long membership for you and your madre.

Flywheel

www.flywheelsports.com

Moms who ride on Sunday will get complimentary snacks from the Flywheel team. Out East, a Mother’s Day-themed ride will take place at the East Hampton studio Sunday at 9:30 a.m. All moms taking part in the studio’s TorqBoard competition will get a CD with songs from the class.

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With spring officially upon us, millions of urban commuters are beginning to shed their quilted coats and search for excuses to spend more time outside. Commuting to work by bicycle can be a great way to savor the sunshine and jump-start your fitness routine while being eco-friendly. While inexperienced city cyclists might feel intimidated by busy streets and speedy drivers, it is easy to gain confidence quickly while navigating a city on two wheels. After over a decade of riding and working with bicycles in Tampa and NYC, bike mechanic, Max Boyajian is familiar with the challenges cyclists face in crowded areas. He shared a few tips for starting out as a bike commuter.

Stay away from parked cars
Riding too close to parked cars can be dangerous. Many drivers do not check for bikes after they’ve parked, which increases the risk of opening their car doors right into an oncoming cyclist. Cyclists have the right to ride in the center of a lane – cars will naturally pass them when it is safe.

Keep calm with drivers
Even if they are following the rules of the road, city cyclists are bound to get honked at by irritated drivers. Although it is startling at first, they can’t let it rattle them. Cyclists should also avoid provoking drivers unnecessarily. Try not to make them angry, because they’re surrounded by a few tons of steel. “You’ve got to learn how to be honked at,” Boyajian says.

Anticipate weather conditions, and plan accordingly
If you plan on cycling in all weather, you’ll need the proper gear. Waterproof outerwear can protect you from rain. Keep your clothes still professional-looking by installing fenders onto your wheels. “They might look a dumb, but they’re better than a strip of mud across your back,” Boyajian says.

Be prepared for common problems
Simple multi-use tools are easy to carry, and can help you address minor performance issues on the fly. Cyclists can save money by learning how to change their own air tubes instead of visiting a bike shop to repair every flat. Keeping your tires fully inflated will also help your bike ride as smoothly as possible, which many people forget if they haven’t ridden recently. If a bike hasn’t been used through the winter, the tires will need air. If you don’t own your own pump, almost every bike shop has free air available to allow passing cyclists to fill up their tires.

Don’t get sweaty
“Bringing a backpack with a change of clothes is helpful, but you can also dress in lightweight clothes and ride at a casual pace if you don’t want to bring extra stuff,” Boyajian says.

One last thing
“Get a basket or a rack,” Boyajian says. “Just do it. It will change your life. I will accept thank yous for this advice later.”

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Last year’s Scotland Run

Ever wanted to run in a kilt? Saturday’s 10th Annual Scotland Run & Festival will give you the chance to do so. The 10K in Central Park will end with a Scotland festival featuring
music from Scottish hip hop group Stanley Odd, a genealogist, a photo booth, outdoor survival tips from a Bear Grylls Survival Academy grad, a trip giveaway to Scotland (for one lucky runner), face painting, dances and more. Swing by between 8 a.m. and noon, and sign up for the race at www.nyrr.org.

The Swedish Institute will host a two-day health fair this Thursday and Friday on the importance of hypertension (high blood pressure) screening. Hypertension, which can show no symptoms, can lead to heart attack and stroke. Stop by 151 W. 26th St. anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for your free screening.

Crunch Gyms is launching Stiletto Strength this month — a podiatrist-approved high heel workout designed to improve posture and strengthen the core — in partnership with Nine West. Visit www.crunch.com for schedules.

If you spend your days at the water cooler comparing your recent CSA gets with your colleagues, consider signing up for Katchkie Farm’s Workplace CSA, which will deliver vegetables directly to your office. The 60-acre organic farm in Kinderhook, N.Y., is offering 22-week and 11-week programs, with the first shipments arriving on June 11. For 22 weeks, the cost per person is $580 (sounds pricey, but that’s a pretty reasonable deal), and for 11 weeks, the cost is $290. A minimum of 20 employees are needed from each office. Learn more and sign up at www.katchkiefarm.com.

Tonight, the American Cancer Society is hosting the first public screening of “Decoding Annie Parker,” a film starring Helen Hunt about the discovery of the BRCA gene and its connection to breast cancer. Tickets are available at  http://decodingannieparker.eventbrite.com/ and sales go back to the American Cancer Society. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a 7 p.m. premiere, at the Directors Guilt Theater (110 W. 57th St.).

The post Health happenings around the city appeared first on Metro.us.

Weddings bring out the desire to shape up for everyone involved. Follow these 5 simple tips from Peak Performance Trainer Jessi Kneeland to help you slim down before the big day.

1. Commit to it
When setting your weight loss goals, allow yourself enough time to lose 1-2 pounds a week. Start Phase 1, which I call the “Healthy Lifestyle Choice Phase” as soon as you can, especially if you have a significant amount of weight to lose. Limit processed food and sugar, increase veggies and protein, exercise regularly, drink a lot of water and get plenty of sleep.

Then start Phase 2 which I call “Crunch Time Phase,” about 6-8 weeks before your final fitting. This phase includes cutting all sugars, alcohol, dairy and starchy carbs, depending on how far from your ultimate goal you are. It can also include increasing your exercise commitment by either frequency or intensity. If you’re doing 3 days a week, now is the time to increase to 5 or 6 days a week. If you’ve been using the pink dumbbells, now is the time to head to the actual weight room. Be careful not to do too much too soon. Beginning a strict diet or training regime 3-4 months in advance can feel overwhelming and cause you to lose motivation with still a month to go.

2. Weight train
To achieve a slimmed down and tone look, weight training is the best option. You simply cannot achieve the tight, toned look people want by only doing cardio. For most brides during crunch time, I suggest weight training 3 times a week in addition to cardio 2 to 3 times a week. I also encourage a weekly yoga class, to remember to breath, stretch and focus on themselves. Crunch time often coincides with the most stressful weeks of wedding-planning, so this often gets forgotten.

3. Make a vow…to your fitness routine
This will vary from bride to bride, but I’d suggest a minimum commitment of 5 workouts a week. You can always add cardio in the morning or a yoga class here and there — but at minimum you should be exercising 5 times a week. Don’t forget to commit to buying, prepping and cooking most of your own food, so that you never have to decide between a muffin or a bagel for breakfast. Writing down your goals can also be helpful and reassuring when you’re feeling tired, hungry and cranky.

4. Be upfront with your seamstress
Tell her your goals, and be honest about how close you think you can reach your goal size. She needs to know at your first fitting that you plan to lose a few inches from everywhere. She might discourage further weight loss after the second fitting, but she should know your goals the first time she examines the dress so that she can assess the situation based on the cut and material of the dress. You may have to be in “wedding shape” several weeks before your big day, which just means that you’ll be in maintenance-mode for a few weeks after you’ve hit your goal.

5. Do some last-minute prep
The third and final phase starts about 72 hours before you walk down the aisle. I recommend cutting your sodium intake down, drinking lots of water and cutting out all dairy and starchy carbs. Plan a workout that hits the muscles you want highlighted in your dress. Most importantly — sleep as much as you can, get a massage and enjoy yourself!

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The New York Road Runners can help you find a free running club.

Credit: Stockbyte

No cash for the gym? No problem. Hit up one of these unexpected places for a gratis workout.

The JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., 646-505-4444
The JCC offers a seasonal schedule of free classes. Try your hand at Nia, an alloy of dance, martial arts and yoga, or drop in to learn about health and wellness.
On our radar: Modern Afro-Folkoric Casribbean Dance to Live Drums, select Saturdays in March, 7:15 p.m.

New York Public Library: www.nypl.org/events/public-programs
The NYPL offers an impressive array of free classes in several locations. You now have a good excuse to try Zumba, Belly Dancing, Ballet, Tae Kwan Do and more.
On our radar: Wii Fit for Adults, Mondays, 2 p.m., George Bruce Library, 518 w. 125th St.

City of New York Parks and Recreation: www.nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation/shape-up-nyc
The Shape Up NYC program offers a variety of free classes in several spots in all five boroughs, including several that cater to specific groups like seniors and pregnant women.
On our radar: Latin Cardio, Tuesdays, 5:15 p.m, Kings County Hospital, Clarkson Ave. & New York Ave., Brooklyn

New York Road Runners: www.nyrr.org/new-york-area-clubs
Not a class, per-se, but this comprehensive list of NYC running clubs can help you find a supportive group of running buddies. Pick a level and commitment that works for you.
On our radar: The North Brooklyn Runners, www.northbrooklynrunners.org

Brooklyn Bridge Park: www.brooklynbridgepark.org/events/public-events/recreation
The park offers several free recreation classes throughout the year. Check the schedule intermittently to see when guided activities such as kayaking, volleyball and biking take place.
On our radar: Sunset Pilates, visit the website for scheduling info

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