NEW at EP Fitness: Basketball!

In 2006, EP Fitness launched something new: full-court indoor basketball at the EP Fitness - Paragon location. EP Fitness now offers indoor basketball at THREE of its six locations:  Paragon, the NEW Montwood location and at the NEW EP Fitness Northeast!!!

Basketball Health Benefits

Basketball, the ultimate in team sports, can be played indoors and out, on a court or in the park. It doesn't cost a lot to play, it isn't complicated, and once you know how to play it, you can hang a hoop just about anywhere.

Target areas:
Basketball is a good cardiovascular exercise and is great for building muscular endurance. Since the game requires a lot of starting, stopping and sprinting, it helps strengthen the lower body, especially the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus muscles and calves. Dribbling and shooting develop muscles in the arms and shoulders. Obviously, the fitness benefits increase with the pace of the game.

Other Benefits:
Shooting hoops increases your energy, stamina and coordination and thus can make other aerobic activities, such as walking, running and in-line skating, easier. Also, the goal of scoring motivates players, because they forget they're exercising.

The Warm-Up and Cool-Down:
Before you start shooting hoops, walk or bike to the court and spend a few minutes taking practice throws or passing the ball around to your teammates. It takes five to 10 minutes to warm up your muscles, get your heart rate elevated and break a sweat (a sign that you're ready to proceed). After the game, take time to cool down: Allow your heart rate to descend gradually by strolling around the court or walking home.

Be sure to stretch the following major muscle groups after you warm up to prevent injury and again after exercising to promote flexibility and prevent soreness: Biceps Calves Gluteus muscles (a.k.a. glutes) Hamstrings Quadriceps (a.k.a. quads) Triceps.