Physical Activity, Exercise and Fitness

Aerobic exercise is a physical fitness program that offers complete and effective conditioning. It involves jogging, jumping, lunging, kicking, and stretching to music.

The American Red Cross First Aid course is designed to help the citizen responder react in respiratory and circulatory emergencies and provide care in life threatening situations of cardiac arrest, shock, and bleeding. Course covers first aid for musculoskeletal injuries, sudden illnesses, and more.

This course is a complete first aid program with certification offered in Adult CPR and First Aid.

Instruction and practice in beginning swimming and water safety. You will have the opportunity to become more confident in and around water and have an opportunity to participate in an outstanding form of exercise.

If you easily get bored with your cardio workout, this class has been designed for you. With sessions focused on various cardio activities, you accomplish your workout and stay motivated to continue your exercise program. Kickboxing, step aerobics, traditional floor aerobics (hi-and low-impact), and dance aerobics will be covered throughout the course. All levels of physical fitness are welcomed as you learn guidelines for each type of cardio exercise and understand how to build your own exercise program.

Understand the basics of running/jogging, including warm-up and cool-down, the fundamentals of form, and how long and how often to run. Topics also include proper clothing and shoes, alternate techniques of conditioning, and the connection between jogging and weight control.

Aikido

Interested in learning self-defense techniques but are concerned that you may not be strong or aggressive enough to benefit from martial arts training? Then Aikido - a defensive, but effective Japanese martial art - is a must for you! Aikido emphasizes the use of natural movement, avoidance, off-balances and redirection of an attacker's force to overcome aggression. Aikido allows you to come to a peaceful resolution while causing the least amount of harm even if the opponent is larger and stronger than you.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

This course is designed to provide students instruction in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: the Most complete, Most street effective, and Most successful martial art in the World. Made famous by the Gracie family and popularized in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art based on controlling and subduing a larger and stronger opponent through the use of superior techniques, leverage, and body mechanics. So, no matter your age, size, gender, or level of fitness, you can learn this Most practical and sophisticated martial art. In this fundamentals class, students will learn and practice positioning, escapes, submissions, and self-defense.

Karate I 

This beginning course in Shotokan Karate is based on a system of teaching that follows the principles of the Japan Karate Association. The principle aim of Shotokan Karate is a positive approach to others through respect, courtesy, integrity, and self-control. USA's karate program has been affiliated with Japan Karate Association (JKA) and Takayuka Mikami (9th Degree black belt, Senior Technical Advisor, JKA) since 1967. 

Karate II 

This course is designed for students who have completed the beginner course in Shotokan Karate. The course expands the concepts of this traditional Japanese martial art. Training in the Heian and advanced katas (forms), intermediate and advanced techniques (kihon) is focused on improving conditioning, flexibility, speed, and power. This course takes the student into the higher levels for advancement in rank with the Japan Karate Association. Introduction to one step and semi-free sparring provides opportunities to improve self-defense ability.

Kung Fu

The traditional Chinese martial art of Kung Fu places emphasis on body conditioning, coordination, flexibility, strength development and self defense skills. A variety of stances, kicks and strikes are practiced individually then combined in various forms which introduce coordination of stepping, blocking, striking and kicking. Kung Fu teaches reaction and fighting habits for self defense applications through practice of fighting form drills with a partner. The student develops a strong foundation of techniques as well as natural, fluid reactions which are later practiced in more advanced bare hand, weapon, and two-person forms.

Soo Bahk Do

Soo Bahk Do is a traditional Korean martial art with a history that spans 2000 years. It is a distinctly unique martial art that focuses on developing mind, body, and spirit to develop a functional capability in its practitioners through the practice of the combat oriented exercises. This training conditions the mind and body for the realities of unarmed self defense and provides for a high degree of personal awareness. As an art form, it focuses on form, theory and aesthetics. As a system of self defense, Soo Bahk Do has great practical applications. Through systematic instruction, Soo Bahk Do teaches step-by-step methods of utilizing your body’s energies in self defense.

This Movement, Rhythm and Development course begins with movement awareness and basic movement skills and progresses to rhythmic activities such as the traditional dance steps in folk and square dancing. Developmental games and relays are also explained and practiced. Basic manipulative skills of controlling and propelling movable objects are practiced with jump ropes.

This is a physical activity class which includes various methods of physical conditioning. Through active participation, you will develop knowledge and skills sufficiently adequate to toning all muscle groups of the body. The class uses weights, resistance tubes, and other equipment to increase cardio conditioning. Agility, coordination and balance, strength, flexibility, posture, and good positioning will also be gained.

This course is designed to improve muscular flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, and posture. Additionally, pilates increases circulation, helps to sculpt the body, and strengthens the torso. People who do pilates regularly feel they have better posture, are less prone to injury, and experience better overall health.

Racquetball is an exciting year-round sport that is fast-paced and mentally stimulating. Beginners are invited to learn correct techniques, skills and strategies. You may compete in singles and doubles play as the course progresses. Enroll with a friend for a wonderful time and a healthy workout.

This course provides a fun, exciting and challenging low impact aerobic workout with minimal stress to the joints. You will begin by learning the fundamentals of STEP Aerobics and progress to more complex routines. All fitness levels can enjoy this class by adjusting the bench height. Wear exercise clothes and tennis shoes, and bring a bottle of water. Feel free to use the locker rooms in the USA Gymnasium.

This is a progressive conditioning course using isotonic contraction for the development of strength and muscular endurance. You will learn proper warm up and stretching techniques, the benefits of resistance training, proper lifting techniques, and benefits associated with weight training.

Instruction and practice in physical activity using the Wii System

X Fit is an exercise program designed to help you move better in your day-to-day life. With functional fitness in mind, this class utilizes kettlebells, dumbbells, light barbell work and body weight movements that strengthen and condition the body. X Fit is developed by an experienced crossfit coach who emphasizes safe and proper movement while motivating you to reach your goals. This program is implemented through a partnership with JH Crossfit in Mobile. Classes are hosted at JH Crossfit.

Learn how to stretch the body gently, increase flexibility, and use breathing techniques to improve health and calm the mind. Guided relaxation exercises will show participants ways to reduce stress and tension.