Hulth&Fitness

Getting In Shape

Winter is a

Ice
Skating

great time to

There are a number of city-owned ice
arenas in Oakland County.
* Birmingham Ice Sports Arena, E. Lin-
coln. Call 645-0731 for schedule. The cost
is $2.75 for residents and $3.75 for non-res-
idents. Skate rental is available at
$2.00/pair.
* Compuware Oak Park Ice Arena, Oak
Park Boulevard. Call 354-9358 for sched-
ule. The cost is $3.00 for residents and
$3.50 for non-residents. Skate rental is
$1.50/pair.
* Southfield Sports Arena, Evergreen
Road. Call 354-9358 for schedule. The cost
is $2.50 for residents and $4.50 for non-
residents. Skate rental is $1.50/pair.
Expert: Johnny Johns is the executive
director of the Detroit Skating Club,
Bloomfield Hills.
Tip: The proper equipment is of the ut-
most importance. Go to a specialty store,
such as a skate shop or a
pro shop, rather than a
department store. New
skates can cost between
$75 and $300, but he sug-
gests buying a pair in the
$150 range. Look for sup-
port in the ankles. The fit
should not be too tight or
too loose — just a little
snugger than street
shoes.

get into a sport.

If you're an

indoor person,

there are

bowling alleys,

gymnasiums

and tennis

courts.

If you like

the brisk cold

air, head

for ski slopes,

E

LLJ

skating rinks

or tracks.

CC

LLJ

LLJ

FO

Here are some

to choose from.

Swimming

Indoor swimming pools are readily acces-
sible through our community education pro-
grams.
* Berkley High School, Catalpa. Call
544-5810 for schedule. 26 sessions cost
$32.50.
* Birmingham middle schools. Purchase
a pool pass at Seaholm High School, Lin-
coln. Pool passes are $50 for 20 punches.
For information, call 433-8442.
The health clubs that have indoor pools
include:
* The Jewish Community Center of Met-
ropolitan Detroit, Jimmy Prentis Morris
building, W. 10 Mile Road, Oak Park, 967-
4030. Adult individual membership is
$350/yr., seniors $275 (adjustable rates,
too). The new Olympic size pool has a spe-
cial handicap ramp entrance.
* Vic Tanny Executive Club, Telegraph
Road, Bloomfield Township, 855-2300.
The swimming pool is part of the health
club plan.
* Franklin Fitness and Racquet Club,
Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 352-
8000. Guest fees are $12 per visit. A swim
membership is available in the summer.
The indoor pool is part of the health club
plan.
*The Sports Club, Farmington Rd, West
Bloomfield. Their swimming pool will be
open May 1994.
Expert: Mary Babcock is the aquatics
director at the JCC in Oak Park. Tip:
Anyone who is injured or wishes to avoid in-
jury should look to water. It's a great non-
weight bearing exercise that uses water for
resistance.

The Bottom Line

Ice skates
6 1-hour group lessons
at Southfield
Sports Arena
Total

$150

$40
$190

Bicycling

For road riding, these areas are popu-
lar with Oakland County residents:
* Kensington Metropark, Milford
area.

`ay.,

* Paint Creek Trail, Rochester
* Stony Creek Metropark, near
Romeo
* West Bloomfield Trail network.
Park on Arrowhead Road, off Pontiac
Trail, 3 miles west of Orchard
Lake Road.
Expert: Keith Riege, manager of
MGM Bicycle and Fitness, in Birming-
ham, is a mountain and road bike racer.
Tip: As a beginner, don't get hung up
on technique. Just be comfortable and
have fun. You'll learn a lot as you log
miles. (And remember to in-
flate your tires!)