Fun Fitness Events

After a long winter of bundling up and covering up, you may dread the thought of being on a beach in a few short months. The desire for a beach body causes a huge influx in gym membership and participation in fitness events in the early spring and summer. Does the thought of running on the treadmill every day sound like torture to you? Not to worry. Starting this month and lasting through the rest of the summer, there are fun ways to motivate you to stay fit right here in the Boston area.

MARCH

ZUMBA® March Madness in North Andover

Every Tuesday in March, 6:10-6:50

March 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th

Have you tried Zumba® yet? Did you know that in 100 minutes of Zumba® you can burn up to 1,650 calories? If you come to Zumba® March Madness at the Senior Center in North Andover every Tuesday, you can burn up to 6,660 calories total? Zumba is fun, easy to learn, and addictive. The best part is this takes place just 10 minutes from campus. It is the perfect way to kick-start your cardio training and get you ready for summer. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zumba-Dance-with-Tallie/148302932752?fref=ts

 

MAY

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

May 18-19

Walk for two days and 39 miles around the streets of Boston, all while raising money for an amazing and important cause. Make it a fun event by walking with friends and family. If you don’t want to walk all 39 miles, you can choose a shorter distance. Register online at http://www.avonwalk.org/about/register-to-walk.html, or consider making a donation to another team.

 

JUNE

Tough Mudder Challenge Event

June 1st and 2nd, Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, NH

The Tough Mudder event is a 10-12 mile obstacle course including the “Arctic Enema” ice bath, climbing over the “Berlin Walls,” and climbing the Glacier. These are just three of the 28 possible obstacles you will face, that are designed to “generally kick your ass.” This event is both fun and incredibly intense, so it may not be the right choice for fitness newbies. (Good thing you have 3 months to train!)

Register online at https://register.toughmudder.com/register/groups/default.aspx?newgroup=true&event=13389

 

Warrior Dash

June 29, Barre, MA

The Warrior Dash is a shorter, more doable 3.4-mile track of obstacles that anyone 14 and up can compete in. It can still be just as physically challenging as other obstacle courses, but the best part is that you can choose how long and intense you want your experience to be. Some of the obstacles include a fire walk, climbing the “great wall,” and crawling through muddy trenches. Register online at http://www.warriordash.com/register.php?loc=Massachusetts&yr=2013

 

JULY

The Color Run

(Time TBA, but it is usually sometime in July)

The color run is fun for all ages and fitness levels. It is a 5k marathon that you can walk, jog, or run at your own pace. You start wearing all white, and by the end you are plastered in cover from head to toe! At the start of every kilometer you are doused with a different color. Crazy costumes are encouraged! This race calls themselves “The Happiest 5k on the Planet.” Keep checking their website for the date and location of the Boston race which should be announced soon. http://thecolorrun.com/

 

AUGUST

Pan-Mass Challenge

August 3rd and 4th

Pick a one-day ride or a two-day ride and bike across the state of Massachusetts. Routes start and end all over the state, depending on how many miles you want to ride. Biking is a great fitness alternative for people who prefer not to run, or can’t run due to injury. There is a fundraising commitment to be able to participate, so for more information check out http://www.pmc.org/. The PMC works closely with the Jimmy Fund.

 

Spartan Race

August 10th & 11th, Amesbury Sports Park, MA

The Spartan Race is another three-mile obstacle course, and since it is in August it gives you a little more time to train. The Spartan Race shoots for the element of surprise; they don’t announce or reveal any obstacles ahead of time in order to “rip you from your comfort zone.” This race also has more of a competitive element than the other obstacle challenges. For more information and to register, visit http://www.spartanrace.com/new-england-obstacle-racing-spartan-sprint-2013.html