Personally, I get bored stiff on a treadmill. I’m walking, I’m walking…I’m running, I’m running…and I’m still staring at the same four walls…yawn. I like the variety, external motivation, and camaraderie provided by a good fitness class. And let me tell you, the classes at the Daybreak Community Center supply a hefty dose of all three.

From heart-pumping indoor cycling to muscle-building Body Pump (a Les Milles barbells and step class) to inner-peace-finding yoga, there’s lots of fun ways to become a healthier you. For a full schedule of available classes, stop by the community center or check the calendar at www.daybreakliving.net. If you’re not thrilled with the range of classes currently offered, they’ll be sampling new classes soon so make sure you get involved to lend your two cents.

The instructors at the community center are excellent. If you can’t afford a personal trainer (they have those, too), the next best thing is an instructor who tells you when—and how—to warm up, work hard, work harder and cool down, too. And they’re friendly, kind people who’ll take time to make sure your step is properly aligned and give advice for comforting sore calves or easing injured muscles.

Speaking of friendly, that’s one of the best assets of the Daybreak Community Center. As opposed to some other local gyms, the atmosphere is relaxed, casual and low-key. Everyone’s there to get a good workout, not care whether your sports bra matches your running shorts. And since you often run into friends and neighbors, or maybe drag them in with you, there’s a lot of moral support and general encouragement which really help keep you going in your fitness goals.

But there is a drawback to all these great benefits: you have to pay for them. Your HOA fee, which covers your membership to the community center, does not include the classes so that those who don’t take them don’t have to pay for them. But at $30/month (or $5/lesson), the rate is pretty comparable to other gyms in the area and your $30 gets you into any class offered throughout the month (except yoga, which is privately run—you have to pay the instructor separately).

And I have some good news if you’re thinking about taking the DCC classes: you can try them out for free! The much heralded re-launch classes (new music and new moves) on Saturday, January 31—Body Step at 7:30 a.m. and Body Pump at 8:30 a.m.—will be free to all Daybreak residents, no class pass required. If you plan to go, make sure you call ahead to sign up starting Thursday, January 29. Come down and get your feet moving, your heart pumping, and your fit on!

Coming up: basketball, volleyball...sitting in the corridor?