Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Dance Your Family’s Way to Healthy and Happy Hearts

With the invention of computers, video games and electronic toys children have become increasingly less active. Childhood obesity and the need for more physical activity are increasingly critical issues in America. One way you can encourage your children to become more physically active is by dancing!

The American Heart Association recommends that children ages two and older participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Dance is a simple activity that doesn’t require complicated equipment and can be done just about anywhere.

“I recommend dance as a fun physical activity for the whole family because it doesn’t require a lot of time, money or resources,” said Dr. Mary Zurn, vice president of education for Primrose Schools. “Dancing is a creative form of self-expression that helps build self-confidence. Plus, it provides time well spent with your family.”

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Gwinnett Magazine Staff

How to Score Super Bowl Savings on Game-Day Gadgets

Super Bowl XLVI kicks off in a few days and in addition to soaring chicken-wing prices, delectable dip recipes and the season’s best football, the big game brings with it some of the lowest prices of the year on electronics (save for Black Friday, of course).

If you’ve wanted to upgrade your big screen, enhance your surround sound or switch to a smartphone for instant play updates, now is a better time than ever. However, intercepting the best deals takes a smart shopping strategy.

Review this play-by-play buying guide to learn how to tackle super savings on game-day gadgets:

1. Do Your Homework
Research is key when making any purchase, so be sure to read product reviews to determine the best make and model for your needs. If you’re in the market for a new HDTV, Lifehacker offers helpful advice on comparing specifications. Once you’ve determined what you want to buy, compare retail prices on sites like PriceGrabber.com to score the best deal.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Lifeguard and Instructor Opportunities

Gwinnett Parks and Recreation will hold an ‘in pool’ interactive job fair Feb. 3, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. at Bethesda Park Aquatic Center in Lawrenceville to share details about lifeguard and instructor opportunities. The fair is free and is open to both certified and uncertified lifeguards.  Be sure to wear or bring a swimsuit.

Teens 15 years of age prior to the last day of the last certification course are eligible to become certified lifeguards for the 2012 season. Parents are also welcome to attend the job fair.

For further information about certification training or for questions about the County’s aquatics program visit www.gwinnettparks.com or call 770-822-8849.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Seven Cost Effective Ways for Baby Boomers to Exercise

Baby Boomer-supreme Jane Fonda started it all with her slinky leotard and goofy leg warmers. The one-time workout fad soon became a way of life for a generation that plans on living longer and better. Aging has its disadvantages, however, including the inability to perform high-impact aerobics or scale mountains in several bounds.

And so was born an entire industry designed to keep Baby Boomers in shape without eliminating precious cartilage or boring us stiff. As added advantages, exercise also reduces our arthritic pain, depression and anxiety.

My personal mantra is “Pain means no gain,” so I’m always looking for low-impact workouts that don’t hurt my wallet. Fortunately, there always seems to be a new exercise trend designed specifically for my generation. Here are a few healthy yet money-saving tips I’ve learned on my journey to physical fitness (which isn’t by any means complete).

 
  •  
  •  
 
Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Steven DeCou named GGC men’s soccer coach

Steven DeCou, GGC men’s soccer coach

With aspirations of quickly making an intense impact on the face of national collegiate soccer, Georgia Gwinnett College hired 15-year veteran coach Steven DeCou to lead the Grizzlies’ men’s soccer program.

DeCou spent the last five years as head coach and assistant director of athletics at Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss.  While there, he posted five consecutive winning seasons (66-23-7 overall), led the Blazers to top-25 finishes in the final NAIA poll from 2009-2011, and took his team to the Round of 16 in the NAIA National Tournament in each of the last two years. He was named Southern States Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2010 following a 16-2-3 season.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Gwinnett Magazine Staff

How To Make New Year’s Fitness Resolutions Stick

Maybe you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to be more physically active, but upping the fitness ante can be one of the hardest goals to stick with as the days go on through the year. After months of being relatively sedentary, jumping into an ambitious workout program often results in muscle pains and strains that can squelch enthusiasm and quickly derail fitness goals.

Laurie Towers, former professional bodybuilder, top New York City celebrity trainer and CEO of Physical Advantage PC, offers the following suggestions for keeping health and fitness a top priority throughout the year.

  • Walk or bike to work, or get off a stop or two early on a bus/subway trip to help jump start your metabolism and engage in a bit of functional fitness.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Georgia’s First Indoor Trampoline Park Opens in Suwanee!

City residents no longer need to travel far and wide for the ultimate 3-D play experience, as Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, creator of the world’s first all-trampoline walled playing court is officially open in Suwanee. Offering a wide variety of physical activities atop its giant trampolines, Sky Zone Atlanta’s 32,000-square-feet of wall-to-wall trampolines truly offers the next dimension in sport, fun and fitness.

Just as much fun for adults as for kids, Sky Zone is suitable for just about any age, shape or size. The Open Jump experience is for individuals and groups who want to zip across the court, take a gigantic leap vertically, or bounce off the walls. 3-D Dodgeball takes the traditional game and adds a new twist. There is also SkyRobics fitness classes, which combine a low impact yet highly effective, 3-dimensional cardio and strength training program with one other essential element – pure fun.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Tackling New Year’s Resolutions on a Budget

1. Get Fit: Gym membership specials are designed to bait the guilt-ridden. Don’t get sucked into paying 12-months worth of dues. Instead, consider these frugal fitness tips from Fitness Magazine to get in shape on the cheap.

2. Eat Healthier: Eating healthy doesn’t always mean spending more on food. Sites like CouponSherpa.com devote entire sections to natural and organic foods, and smaller “whole foods” chains like Sunflower Market usually have good deals.

3. Get Organized: Much of the stress we endure on a daily basis stems from a lack of organization. Simply straightening your house, cleaning out your car and reorganizing your file cabinets can help you feel better prepared for other daily tasks.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Atlanta Boat Show Sets Sail for January 12-15

Escape the winter blues and splash into the hot fun of summertime at the 2012 Progressive Insurance® Atlanta Boast Show, cruising into the Georgia World Congress Center Jan. 12-15. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the 2012 show is pulling out all of the stops to welcome Georgians to the water, offering an array of exciting attractions, including the new Indoor Wake Park (the country’s largest!), daily boating, fishing and sailing courses for both beginners and experienced captains, free fishing for kids, and much more. Serious shoppers can enjoy a “golden” opportunity to board and compare hundreds of boat options side by side, take advantage of extra incentives and exclusive show discounts from the region’s top dealers, and shop specials on the newest innovations in marine accessories and electronics.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Veteran Coach to Fulfill Career Goal at GGC: Building Women’s Soccer Program

Domenic Martelli, GGC's Women’s Soccer Coach

Veteran women’s soccer coach Domenic Martelli has been chosen to lead the women’s soccer program at Georgia Gwinnett College, with the team’s inaugural season less than a year away. A Lawrenceville resident, Martelli has had his eye on GGC for years and labels it an ideal fit for him professionally and personally.

Martelli comes to GGC with 18 years of Division I coaching experience. He spent the last 12 seasons at Georgia State University, where he served as the institution’s winningest coach in school history, amassing a record of 109-106-25.

“It’s thrilling to be a part of what is beginning to take place at GGC,” said Martelli, the second coaching hire by GGC in the last six weeks. “This is a golden opportunity– a college growing academically, technologically and, of course, athletically. To be able to start a brand new program, work for Dr. Darin Wilson, and be part of an Office of Athletics that is on the cusp of building a $13.5 million athletic facility is extremely exciting.”

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •