| For many people, keeping fit is a big part of life. It's | | | | way of keeping up the cardio and keeping off the kilos. |
| more than an effort to stay healthy and look good | | | | Orthopedic Surgeon Angela Smith says that as well |
| though, it's a pastime, a hobby. A work day isn't | | | | as improving balance and coordination, ice skating has |
| complete without a circuit of the gym or a run along | | | | less impact on joints than running. |
| the river. | | | | If skating isn't exciting enough, there are a large variety |
| The key to keeping the addiction alive is to keep the | | | | of ice sports to keep you interested. Ice hockey, |
| activity fresh. Sick of Spin classes? Try cardio boxing. | | | | speed skating, figure skating, curling; all have enormous |
| Sick of cardio boxing? Take up rowing. | | | | followings above the equator, and all are excellent for |
| In this continual search for the hip, new workout, one | | | | developing fitness. |
| activity is emerging as the next, big thing: Ice skating. | | | | In warmer clients, the luxury of being able to ice skate, |
| Strapping on a pair of skates and having a session on | | | | let alone do it regularly, is rarer. Even in winter, |
| the ice is nothing new, of course. Across the northern | | | | Australian lakes don't freeze over. And while ice |
| hemisphere, winter brings with it icy lakes and rivers, | | | | skating facilities might exist, they cater more the family |
| which in turn bring skaters. | | | | or group of friends trying not to fall over than to the |
| But according to the US Figure Skating Association, | | | | seasoned, fitness-hungry skater. |
| more and more Americans are hitting the ice, claiming | | | | A number of significant developments in the Southern |
| fitness as their major reason for regularly heading | | | | Hemisphere however, such as the Icehouse complex |
| down to the rink. | | | | in Melbourne, are designing their facilities to cater to the |
| Even doctors agree that ice skating is an excellent | | | | fitness enthusiast as well as the casual skater. |